Lessons in the Leap

Truth bomb: This is a challenging time of year for educators. As I close out this week that started with Parent-Teacher Conferences, a powerful and raw message about the dangers of teen drug use, ACT testing, and a full moon (need I say more educators?), I am thankful in the lessons.

I have lost track of the interactions associated with my resignation but have not lost sight of the mission set for the remainder of my time at Spooner High. My reflection tonight is relevant to us all with a hope-filled message to inspire and energize weary souls. 

Amidst it all, and I classify "it" as the myriad pressures from every angle at this time of year, my purpose has been the gift of the present. Considering myself lucky to realize that my operations have an expiration date. I only have so many days left with my people. Only so many chances to pour into the students and staff. Only so many more opportunities to light a fire. Only so many moments to endure as some require. Only so many hugs and smiles, laughs, or admonishments. Essentially, I am existing as terminal, and all I can do is wish we all could do this. And hope these powerful moments stick with me so that I can take this spirit with me no matter where I go each day in life. 

One illustration was when I looked directly into the eyes of a student with whom I have worked and have refused to give up on throughout the years. Though the individual has given up a time or two, somehow, some way, and with much grace, that person is still here. Still surviving, and readers, beginning to thrive. The quote that ignites my soul and brought about my bold declarations with a fiery truth that singed my nose as it spouted with power came out from the student as this. "I don't know what snapped in me, but something made me work hard last term." Light beam focused from the clouds directly on us and time literally suspended. 

I KNOW WHAT IT IS! It is the light I have seen in you in the darkest of your days. It is the light that is burning within you to dream beyond these walls, beyond your circumstances, and beyond each poor choice you have ever made. The power in the present allowed me to boldly state, "People keep asking me about next for me. Frankly, I care nothing about what is next for me. I have complete faith that what is next for me will come. What lights my soul now is my present. Here. With you. This moment. My present is focused on your next. And what snapped in you is what you must build. Tell me what it is I can do for you in the present to harness that and help you get to your next." Jaw drop. Eye contact. College visit. Yes yes yes. My calendar is short, but that visit will occur, and it will be one of my favorite memories in this present space filled with what I know will be more coming. 

I am challenging myself and anyone reading this to grab fiercely any opportunity to live this way. We all have it in us. Every day. 

"Live the way in which you want to be remembered." Let's all commit to do this just a bit more. With a few more interactions. Each day. Tonight, I am so grateful for this refreshed lesson in the leap. 


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

#OneWord2019-Time to Slay Some Giants--SLAY

Image
" The stones inside your hand might be small But watch the giants fall."   Francesca Battistelli After a year of #RISE where I learned to speak with purpose and step into my faith, the oneword for this year came to me first as a surprise. Honestly, my initial reaction was that I had already slayed the giant. I faced fear and left my career where I felt safe and purposed, stepping out where not many would go in a leap of faith and trust. Had I not battled through months of giants where I was searching for where God was leading me?  The answer is no. I simply rose.  Of course rising was not simple at all. When I wrote the post about my one word last year, I was full of trepidation to speak so openly about faith, and specifically about the Holy Spirit speaking life into me. After all, I had spent a chapter of my life muting that passion and living out of fear at times.  What if people were offended or started calling me out? Placing myself out there as a
Read more

Stepping Away in Order to Jump Back In

A year ago I wrote and published my first blog post and believed it was going to be the ignition to the flame of writing that has been an ember inside for my entire existence. Here I sit, almost a calendar year later having no other posts. Why is that? When I review the content of my blog from a year ago, I know the message is right there. There was not enough balance in my life yet. This is the first summer that I have literally stepped away from my job for more than a few days at a time. I mean really taken time off, not just placed it on my calendar and went in for a few hours. Of course, there is always email exchange, but I can truly claim to have stepped away. And it feels so refreshing! In this time away, I have accomplished so much that matters, and by publishing these items publicly, I know that there will not be another year between posts. There has simply been too much growth between.  Spent HOURS with my daughters together and alone. While they are always at the
Read more

1200 Days to a 17 Year Delayed Epiphany

"Joy is still attainable. Search for it as for hidden treasure." Jesus Calling by  Sarah Young Share your story. Tell it.  Simple statements reverberated in quick succession just after I completed my 1200th day of consecutive running. After a streak of such magnitude, most would consider there might be nothing left to discover about self, inner thoughts, reflections, speculating that there must only the hamster wheel, routine thinking remaining. However, my run today was far from mundane and every bit meant to land on this milestone of a day. I didn't even need to Google "Significance of 1200", however, I am also not surprised that after I did, there were sites referencing messages about balance, adaptability, and allusion to the message that it is time to open to new ideas and purpose. Framing up the message a bit, my morning routine switched up, and although I am known for seeking joy, today I began a devotional prior to running. It's message was all a
Read more