Learner. Human. Joyologist.
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.
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.
“When everything around you seems dark, look again, you may be the light.” - Rumi
We are not pizza. But maybe we need to take a deep breath, enjoy a slice, and recognize that we are not responsible for what happens to us or the actions of others. We are responsible for our integrity, our communication, our work, our presence, and our response.
So much of this is communication, folks. We are never done growing our communication skills.
Often complaining is a sign of overwhelm, fear, or simply a breakdown in community. Frequently, it’s a combination of all of these things. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of seemingly disconnected initiatives coming our way. Then, we become fearful that we won’t be successful which is terrifying because we know how important this work is in schools. This lack of clarity and lack of interconnected work, interdependence, and coherence leads to a breakdown of community. Perhaps it would be easier if I just shut my door, did my thing, and maybe this too shall pass.
In a world where everything seems to be competing for our attention, one thing needs our attention more than ever. People.
It also helps to interrupt anxiety with gratitude. I am grateful that I can afford a full tank of gas. I am grateful that I can afford to fill our fridge with nourishing food. Gratitude reminds us to see and celebrate the good.
MEGHAN LAWSON 