Learner. Human. Joyologist.
Knowing this gives us great power. Every word and interaction has the power to grow hope in other people. We can grow a sense of hope for the future. We can grow their belief that they are capable beyond on measure. We can grow everyone's sense of wellbeing. We can remind others that there are good people in this world who will stand in their corner, have their back, and cheer for them.
As Jim Elliot said, "Wherever you are, be all there."
Think about how far you've come. Just think about it for a second. Think about all of the hard days that you've made it through. And just look at you. Wow, you made it. You are strong and inspiring and you've grown. I'm so deeply proud of you. I'm proud of us.
This work is legacy work. And it's built one day at a time, one small move at a time. As Peter Block has said, "How do you change the world? One room at a time. Which room? The one you're in."
The only move that's too small is the move you don't make for the right reason.
The world is filled with enough that makes us feel heavy and overwhelmed. The work is the work - whether we enjoy it or not. So, how might we make it feel a bit more light and breezy?
Imagine how the world would change if we stopped to notice what's going right more often.
The hard truth is that some of what is stressing us out we've chosen for ourselves.
But until that happens, until our school schedules are changed to better honor the humanity of both students and educators, we need to find a way to be OK. To be more than OK. To be at peace.
As educators, when we nourish others in reaching their fullest potential, we are one step closer to reaching our fullest potential. We are one step closer to reaching our highest professional purpose.
MEGHAN LAWSON 