I have a magnet that says, "Do one thing every day that scares you," a quote of Eleanor Roosevelt. I bought it because it was a challenge to look beyond laundry and dust balls.
These days I look at it and remember that growing older is scary! Yet, I have (in no special order of significance):
- climbed into and out of the magnificent Grand Canyon
- watched with awe as my own once needy children became empowered parents
- loved with all my heart and healed my broken heart
- taken wild and crazy young children to a vast Legoland all by myself
- bought and renovated an aging and leaky home all alone
- promised scared parents their struggling learners would be readers
- defended my research and ideas to a demanding and critical committee
- put my thoughts into words, baring my soul, and sharing them with the world
- said good-bye to loved ones when it I wanted to say please hang on
- planned not-always-thrilling PD for teachers who wanted to be anywhere else
7 comments:
Yesterday, I was at times consumed with the scary thoughts that accompany growing older. Your post this morning reminded me to look at what I have done so far, and that I am not finished yet.
This is one powerful list of accomplishments - and overcoming some pretty scary things. Eleanor would be proud! I think the PD for teachers who want to be anywhere else might be the scariest! LOL!
I know that quote well and think of it often. It's hard to do scary things, but the quote's a great reminder that with scary things comes greatness, too. You have some pretty scary things on that list!
Your list is admirable, and I had a good laugh reading your last one. You show your strength and bravery through your list of accomplishments.
Some days the laundry and the dust balls are scary enough! What a list!
Fran,
I love that quote. Lots of things scare me. Some big ones include walking into classrooms as a sub, especially for a teacher I don’t know. I’m worried about our upcoming trip to France and how people will respond to us given our capitulation to fascism. Water and heights have always scared me. I really like your list. I need to do the Grand Canyon hike.
You should be completely proud of yourself when you look back on all the scary things you've accomplished! Pat yourself on the back!!
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