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!”
