Design

We talk about innovative design in schools. Designing innovative lessons. Innovative buildings. Innovative furniture. Nothing is left to chance. If I can take that same level of care with my life, nothing is left to chance. I am able to help design the masterpiece god intended for me. You are enough.

Yes, and...

"Yeah, but" has a way of sabotaging my thoughts. In my younger days, I'd say, "I had a pretty good game today." And then my mind would chime in, "Yeah, but you let that one ground ball go right through your legs." Shifting my thinking to "Yes, and..." changes the nature of the thought. The phrase acknowledges what occurred, but gives credit to what happened next. See if you're able to shift your thinking to "Yes, and..." today. You are enough.

Love

Love is an action word. In terms of a garden, if I don't actively water the flowers, they wilt. If I catch it soon enough, I may have a chance to water the flowers and get them back to health. In terms of my relationships, if I don't tend to what is most important, the relationship can wilt. Tend to what is most important. Actively love all. You are enough.

Chaos

I create chaos sometimes. Sometimes the chaos feels like it is happening all around me. Finding your center is important in unsettling times. Faith. Spirituality. Meditation. Exercise. Family. Friendships. Finding healthy ways to navigate the chaos will help you stay buoyant. As I have learned, like with all things, the chaos is temporary. You are enough.

Control

I have spent a lot of time in my life trying to control what I am not, instead of accepting who I am. Trying to control outcomes of situations. Relationships. School. Home. My kids. You name it. What I have learned is it adds a layer of suffering when so much time is spent trying to control what can't be controlled. When I accept things for what they are. When I accept people for who they are. When I accept decisions for what they are. I am much more at ease. I like to get in a tug of war with GOD. I give it away. I take it back. I like to do this a lot. When I can relinquish my attempt to control, I am in a much better place. May you learn to relinquish control. You are enough.

Fear

Fear is an emotion that can be a good thing. If I'm in the woods, and a grizzly bear is coming at me, fear can motivate me to run like the wind and get out of there. Fear, in another sense, can also cripple me if I allow it to rule my everyday life. Fear based loving. Fear based parenting. Fear based teaching. Fear based leading. These all lead to outcomes that are less than desirable. I could write a chapter about myself on each of these topics. Fear robs us of who we truly are, if we allow it. Reflect today on how fear shares a seat at the table of your life. You are enough.

Leadership

So the point is not to become a leader. The point is to become yourself, to use yourself completely-all
your skills, gifts, and energies- in order to make your vision manifest.  You must, in sum, become the
person you started out to be, and enjoy the process of becoming. (Bennis, 106)

Enjoy the journey. You are enough.

Stories

We have many stories that play in our minds. Some call it their music playlist. The lyrics go like this: “I hope they like me.” “Why did I say that?” “I am not good enough.” I had a friend share we spend so much time in our heads, we should make it a beautiful place. The next time the story plays in your head, “park” the thought. Get up. Move. Walk. Run. You have beautiful things to think about. Because you’re enough.

Your Tribe

As we embark on another fantastic school year, number 23 for me, I hope you have your Tribe, ready. Your tribe. Your team. Your people. Those who are there to support you when teaching and life gets hard. I have tried the "go it alone approach", and that is least effective and not recommended. Having someone in your corner is important support to have. Make a point to connect with someone and let them know you need them this year for support. Chances are, it will be of benefit to them as well. Please know you make a positive difference in the lives of the children you serve.

The 180 day Journey

There is nothing more difficult than teaching. Actually, for me, parenting is at the top, followed by teaching. Over the course of 180 days, we learn so much about our students and families. We learn so much about ourselves. May you take time to reflect on why you decided to become an educator. What you do on a daily basis impacts the lives of our future leaders. You matter. May you reflect on the joy of teaching and reaching all students, and may you have a wonderful start to your school year.