Learner. Human. Joyologist.
It’s not a guide or a how-to. Our work as leaders is too complex and our communities too nuanced to be distilled down in that way. Instead, it’s rooted in principles and perspectives that illuminate possibilities in a heavy world.
If there is any resolution worth considering, let’s start being ridiculously in charge of our time. Too much of our time is spent being bothered. Bothered by what people say and do. Bothered by many things that don’t actually matter or won’t 5 years from now.
In a world that seems to value the personalized and on-demand, traditions and shared experiences seem rare anymore and all the more special. Traditions can connect us, nurture belonging, invite reflection and gratitude for the present moment, and encourage us to find the significance of seemingly small moments.
Many schools will take a much deserved winter break after this week. I’m so happy and excited for staff and students who are looking forward to this time away. I’m also holding space for those who may not be as excited.
But if we don’t start to figure out how to lead ourselves first from every seat in the organization, and if we don’t start to recognize the role we play in our own misery or the way we contribute to the very culture we hope to improve, we have little hope for the future in schools.
I’ve come to realize that many of us are desperately wanting to capture moments. With our phones in our pockets, we hurry to grab our phone, so we can remember. But in the hurry to take that perfect photo, the memory is sometimes lost.
Whatever each moment brings, let’s allow ourselves to live fully in it. It’s all we have in the end.
So, I’m simply asking us to take the first brave step to simply notice. Allow ourselves to be curious not only about what people say but what they don’t say. Curious about specific words people use or body language and to make space to ask (when the time feels right) genuine questions that invite sharing and the possibility of some disagreement even.
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t have those conversations. It means we need to practice having them more. The more experience we have with something the more competent we become and the more competent we become, the more confident we become. We need to be confident in our ability to hold two opposing views at the same time. We need to be confident in our ability to keep an important relationship in tact even when we aren’t seeing eye to eye on an important issue.
As we turn the page to November, let’s try to let what comes come. And let what goes go. Let’s try to focus our minds on little glimmers and the people who make life feel a bit softer and more gentle. Those are our people.
MEGHAN LAWSON 