I have had this phrase in my head for a while now. Don't wait, you don't know how long you will be here. I had been working on trying new things but I am a person who likes routine and likes repetition. Maybe. Dave is the eager to try things kinda guy but I'm not really into new. I feel like I have enough in my life, why new stuff?
Then I started hearing this phrase. Renee, the Survivor Coordinator for the Relay for Life I attended gave a fantastic speech about not waiting. She had a patient who was dying and she tried every appetizer on the menu at the place they went to for dinner. She wished she had not waited so long to try new things. I heard this speech three times at various events and it really sunk in and brought tears to my eyes. It was time to get back to trying new things. I also reflected on the new things I have tried already.
I tried a new Weight Watcher's meeting location, day and time......and liked it.
We tried a different Relay for Life location and liked it. So we did two Relay for Life events. I got a Fitbit and decided to try to vary my exercises. Try some new stuff. I remember when I tried Zumba a few years ago and got hooked. You never know what is out there waiting to get me hooked now!
I had no confidence about teaching either Facing History or AP World History. But I gave it a shot and turns out they are the two classes I love the most. This year I wanted to try to meet the future 9th graders for AP ahead of time-and the administration agreed and sent me to the (Shudder) middle schools to meet the kids. I liked seeing them and I think it made it easier on them to have a face to associate with the hardest course they will take next year!
Speaking of work, we got Chromebooks. I am still not so sure what to do with them. However, I though back and I was one of the early people using technology in the classroom and I've been quite a slacker about that. So I try to embrace the Chromebook and even signed up for some technology classes in the morning next week.
And a final note about work- I'll have a new administrator observing me next year. Usually this freaks me out, and I know some of the teachers are worried. However, I have had so many different people observe me over the years this doesn't bug me any more.
Last night Dave and I went out for Thai food. First time. I wasn't so sure I wanted to go last night-the days was full already and I was tired. Then I heard Renee in my head and said Let's Go! I tried some new stuff and liked it!
So, this summer I am going to make sure I try new stuff. Never know where it may take me! And I think about my students who just graduated. They are heading off to new adventures with eagerness. I need to capture some of that!!! I encouraged them to embrace change and the new things to come-I need to take my own advice!!!
A friend was asking about the phrase "everything happens for a reason" but I am not a believer in that. Life is what you make it. Crap happens. Good stuff happens. We can't live forever. But what we do in between the start and the finish is the important stuff. Crap and Good Stuff take our lives into different directions. We choose how we deal with it.
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