Life is filled with circumstances, conditions, and situations that will cause you to rethink your original plan, make a mental adjustment, and reacquaint yourself with your inner being. I am purposefully avoiding the word “obstacles!” There are also those situations that will simply cause you to jump in and get busy! I refer to those situations as “Just DO It” moments! The “Just DO It” moments are things you must do, regardless of how much you talk about them! They are items on YOUR TO-DO LIST, and you are committed to checking them off! I have had many in my lifetime.
I think my most devastating “Just DO It” moment, may have been when I was on vacation and had received an email from my dissertation chair. Imagine being on vacation and receiving a “CHANGE this, ADD that”, dissertation REVISION email! My reaction to that email almost ruined my vacation! My first reaction was to complain to my husband. Our plans for lunch were delayed by my repeated rants,” I am not changing it! I am not! I am not changing a THING!” Then I reverted to how many pages I had already written and how many graphs I already had created! Lastly, I proclaimed myself finished! I sat on the side of the bed and started new rants, “I give up! This is stupid! I have a life!” My husband in his ever so calm voice, simply said, “really.” He then told me to get dress so we could go to lunch because HE WAS HUNGRY. He refused to be a part of my ranting. He knew, I wasn’t finished. He knew I wasn’t quitting. He knew I was having a moment. He knew, that after reflection, I would just DO It!
I moped around and sulked for a few minutes before putting on my favorite “Just Do It” t-shirt. I am sure you have one, it is a mental must have! Yes, I made the revision. Yes, I have a pompadour. No, I didn’t quit! Yes, WE had lunch!
In our roles as educators and guardians of the children, we are often faced with “Just DO It” moments. Some require us to stretch ourselves, to give a little more, to do more, and to make personal reflections. After all, we have a SPECIAL CALLING! The kids that come before us are the leaders of tomorrow; what we DO or DON’T DO, will impact their futures. I have always felt that the children entrusted in my care should receive the same care that I would like my child to receive. I know that being an educator can be arduous. I understand that exceptional educators stretch themselves because they love kids and they love what they do. I realize teaching oftentimes means making sacrifices. I understand that preparing lessons can be time consuming. I know there is ALWAYS something on the To-Do List that never ends! I understand that sometimes, all educators need to reflect and regroup. I also know that EXCEPTIONAL educators will continue to do an AWESOME job, no matter what!
While you are reflecting, don’t overlook the REWARDS of being an educator, they are immeasurable!
Hooves Up to the educators who “Just DO It!”
