It has been well over two months since I have found the time and moment to sit down and type up a blog post. Today we will take just a brief moment to review some of the basic tenets of what I have posted thus far and then try to take a new detour.
I have for most of the year encouraged everyone reading this blog to find time for themselves. Teaching is and can be a daunting job that, by the very nature of the folks doing the job, can be ALL CONSUMING. I can remember my time in the classroom and not seeing the sun for weeks just because I knew what I needed to do to make sure I was putting forth my best everyday. Now as an administrator, I find myself on that same path, weeks and the only time I have seen the sun is on bus duty or the weekend. Of course, I am stressed. Of course, I am tired. And of course, I am frustrated. I am frustrated with myself. I need to work out better ways to get the job done. I need to get home and spend time with my family. I need to find solutions to situations that rise up over the course of the day and still allow me to find time for what I need to do. These are thoughts that go through my head. Then I start to wonder if I am being too selfish. When I signed on for this job, I knew that it would take a great deal of time. Being a teacher and involved in education means giving a bit in order to receive so much more.
Yes, loyal readers, I am not going to tell you that it is wrong to be frustrated, tired, or even angry. Those are all emotions that you are allowed to feel as a person. However, I am going to recommend that instead of having those feelings dominate your day to day; try to look at a different perspective. When I drive home at the end of EACH day, I take the 60-90 minutes in the car to reflect on the day that just happened. I think of all the bad and negative first. Then I think about what I could have done differently to make it better. Then I realize that I had the solutions for most of the drama that got to me during the school day and I start to recognize that I have the knowledge in me but I couldn't call it up at the right moment. Then I start to think about all the positives that happened over the course of the day. By the time I get within 10 minutes of home, I am only focusing on the positive things that will end my day: spending time with my family, taking a moment to read a book, getting into bed to start the next day new and refreshed.
So I guess to sum up this post and steer things in a new direction: we need to refocus and rejuvenate. I am sure I don't need to tell you this but...don't do work over the holiday break. Take time for you and your family and friends. Get out of town. Shake away the negative and the bad and wake up the day before you are to return not with a feeling of dread but of hope for a new change. What will you do to make a difference in 2015? How will you change? Keep your eyes posted for some ideas for how I plan to make a difference.
Happy Holidays and have a great New Year.
