At ten in the evening I was exhausted and ready for bed, and by eleven o’clock I was hunting down Melatonin to help me get to sleep. At around one in the morning (and again at five thirty) I was awakened by the Wonderdog, as he paced and moaned beside my bed. Half an hour later I let him outside to relieve his suffering with gastric distress.
My return to sleep seemed to take forever.
Such is often the way a night goes before returning to work after a break.
There is the fine mix of excitement and dread. Excitement to reconnect with the work community and dread that the first day might be filled with extrovert-friendly get-to-know-you games.
I have a routine each year that the evening before the first day back to work, I go to a movie. This year my movie choice was Christopher Robin.
It was truly a wonder-filled story, with redemption a strong theme.
As might be expected, Winnie the Pooh had the best quotes.
As I reflected on the words of Pooh, I found my own goals for this school year, which I hope I can learn, practice and teach to the students whose lives intersect with mine.
“I always get to where I’m going by walking away from where I’ve been.”
To pursue our goals we need to be willing to move away from our comfort zones. There is no such thing as growth without leaving where we are.
“I’m playing say what you see.”
Pooh, while sitting on the train played this game which was simply to name what he say … tree, stone, house, etc. I need to keep my eyes opened, to keep my head lifted up so that I don’t miss anything. I may even need to name what (who) I see, using their names, because we humans benefit from hearing our names.
“Doing nothing often leads to the very best kind of something.”
It is okay to do nothing, to leave margin in our days with no plans. Not ‘nothing’ time with our phones, folding laundry or surfing Netflix, but time to sit outside at night, eyes focused above in anticipation of a falling star, or time to walk out your door, and just walk, with no goal or destination in mind, Perhaps it could become the catalyst for creativity, for growth, new adventures and dreams.
These are not the goals of our society today. Though they do not guarantee financial or career growth and success, I think they may just challenge and inspire us to be ready for change, acknowledge those around us and take a break each day.
Not bad advice from a silly old bear.
itsawonderfilledlife 