November is a great month for reflecting on where we feel gratitude not only because Thanksgiving is approaching but also, because it is on the eve of a new year. Being able to look back, think about where we have been and where we want to go is so valuable. In my opinion, feeling gratitude is all about perspective.
As an educator, I have much to be thankful for in my school community. I'll start with my team. I work with three fabulous ladies and together, we manage to come up with some amazingly outlandish ideas and see them through to execution. Together, we work hard to support each other, laugh at (I mean with) each other, challenge each other, and learn from each other. I am so grateful for my rock star team. Similarly, I feel the same for the administrators. They work seven days a week to provide support across all levels. They inspire creativity, help spark innovation, and trust their larger faculty. I also love their willingness to engage in a good, healthy debate when opinions don't always align. It's awesome. These are two groups that have definitely helped me grow this year. I'm learning to be more compassionate through their examples and to say no when I just really need to say no. I'm a work in progress but I'm also learning to keep an open mind. It's not always easy to steer away from judgment based on preconceived notions but I'm working on it. My own children's teachers have also helped me grow this year. Their reassurance, compassion, and humor makes me feel a sigh of relief when challenged with tough parenting moments. Through all of these examples, I am grateful for being reminded that I could be more of these things. The goal is not to strive for perfection but to be able to learn from our imperfections.
Each year comes with its own challenges. As indicated above, I would say there have been several instances of over committing this year. I'm still learning the importance of saying no. I have also been challenged with expanding my view and trying to understand a different perspective when it comes to having different opinions. Interestingly, I used to pride myself on this trait but over the years, I have become more quick to formulate unfair assessments. I am working on this too. I suppose I am learning that it is rewarding to reflect often on the ways in which I can improve. Accepting that we are in a constant state of evolution is valuable.
Stepping back and trying to see things through a variety of lenses as mentioned above can inspire us to say thank you more often. I am reminded of Todd Parr's book, It Is Okay To Be Different. Not only is it okay but it just is. We all view the world differently because we have such different experiences that make us who we are. Understanding this as we go through our day surely will help us appreciate others more and in kind, say thank you.
As an educator, I have much to be thankful for in my school community. I'll start with my team. I work with three fabulous ladies and together, we manage to come up with some amazingly outlandish ideas and see them through to execution. Together, we work hard to support each other, laugh at (I mean with) each other, challenge each other, and learn from each other. I am so grateful for my rock star team. Similarly, I feel the same for the administrators. They work seven days a week to provide support across all levels. They inspire creativity, help spark innovation, and trust their larger faculty. I also love their willingness to engage in a good, healthy debate when opinions don't always align. It's awesome. These are two groups that have definitely helped me grow this year. I'm learning to be more compassionate through their examples and to say no when I just really need to say no. I'm a work in progress but I'm also learning to keep an open mind. It's not always easy to steer away from judgment based on preconceived notions but I'm working on it. My own children's teachers have also helped me grow this year. Their reassurance, compassion, and humor makes me feel a sigh of relief when challenged with tough parenting moments. Through all of these examples, I am grateful for being reminded that I could be more of these things. The goal is not to strive for perfection but to be able to learn from our imperfections.
Each year comes with its own challenges. As indicated above, I would say there have been several instances of over committing this year. I'm still learning the importance of saying no. I have also been challenged with expanding my view and trying to understand a different perspective when it comes to having different opinions. Interestingly, I used to pride myself on this trait but over the years, I have become more quick to formulate unfair assessments. I am working on this too. I suppose I am learning that it is rewarding to reflect often on the ways in which I can improve. Accepting that we are in a constant state of evolution is valuable.
Stepping back and trying to see things through a variety of lenses as mentioned above can inspire us to say thank you more often. I am reminded of Todd Parr's book, It Is Okay To Be Different. Not only is it okay but it just is. We all view the world differently because we have such different experiences that make us who we are. Understanding this as we go through our day surely will help us appreciate others more and in kind, say thank you.
