Letting go of Summer

As I awoke a little while ago on a sunny Saturday morning I was greeted with my mental to do list going a mile a minute. This shocking reality left me with a sinking feeling that summer is truly over. When you have an amazing summer full of fun, love, friendship, and personal growth it is VERY hard to let it go. It was as if time was suspended for July and August which I named my “Eat, Pray, Love” summer. I learned how to eat healthy and delicious and stick to my workout routine, prayed my heart out, and learned just a little more about love. It was a journey of discovery, excitement, peace, and healing that is one I will never forget.

 For those of you Meyers-Briggs junkies I am an “ENFP” – a lively extrovert, present to my feelings and drawing my energy from others. Though I have popped up as “J” in recent years due to the fact that I organize a giant life and lots of people, I am sticking to my original results forever! While I did spend the summer with a lot of amazing people, I spent an extraordinary amount of time (extraordinary for me) alone. So for Meyers-Briggs I was being an “I.” This essential time alone taught me so much that I am so grateful for and energized me in a new way.

When a period of time in our lives contributes to our growth exponentially, it can be very hard getting adjusted  to the period of life we are now in. Often this period of awareness and healing thrusts us into the playing field of life where we are now asked to use the skills, knowledge, and life tools we have gained during the learning process. We look around and may feel uncomfortable or scared and long for that discovery phase again.

During my “Eat, Pray, Love” summer I learned something I have been trying to learn my entire life – patience. This played out as I became patient with the scale, men, ideas to come to fruition and more. I learned how to allow myself to be pursued and that silence is sometimes good. As a natural leader, I learned the peace that comes from not  HAVING to be the leader in every area of my life.  

As I graduate into fall I am reminded of the glory of this season and how it teaches us how to be. What has thrived and blossomed will too fall away. What falls is still beautiful, vibrant, and rich in its hue. As people we cannot remain stagnant or stuck in one stage, we  must move forward. We must eat, pray, and love in new places, with new people, and have new experiences.

As I let go of summer I bid it farewell with grace and appreciation. I welcome the challenge of fall to teach me what is next, having faith that in the end it will all be perfectly imperfect.

The 9/11 feeling.

This week marked the first week of school for students in much of our area.  The benefit in working in education is that one is always learning. You can't escape the knowledge that is around you even if you tried.

My favorite history teachers and dear friends Pam and Jamie decided to open up their school year with a creative timeline activity. As you walk into the classroom there is a giant timeline of events that have affected US history spanning over centuries. Students receive an index card describing and event and must go find the matching date.

As I looked at the “9/11/01” date, I got “the feeling.” It is a feeling only associated with images, stories, or any mention of an American tragedy that still occurs in my mind as if it happened yesterday. As I glanced at all the other dates on the timeline, something occurred to me. For the bulk of the events listed, most people only HEARD about what happened from a newspaper, a picture, or from reading it in a book. If they happened post-television, perhaps they saw an evening news cast or a special report. 

9/11/01 changed not only the fabric of our nation in countless ways, but I believe has transformed our relationship to history. We now live, breathe, experience, and witness history as if it were all happening right in our own backyard. The images of 9/11 are branded in our minds, haunting us with a desire to understand or comprehend an event so overwhelming. Through watching 9/11 unfold and hearing the stories from the survivors later we are invited to experience history as our own.

Growing up I remember my dad often recounting where he had been on November 22^nd 1963. He could tell you where he was the day President Kennedy was assassinated, what he felt, and so on. This is especially significant, because my Dad can’t tell you what he had for lunch (perhaps my grandmother can tell you exactly what he had) but yes he can recreate a day when he was merely 15 years old. I didn't understand how someone could remember such detail until I experienced September 11th with the rest of a nation shocked and baffled by history minute by minute. 

While I of course want to honor the dignity and the memory of the lives lost, each year I am not so welcoming of “the feeling" I get when I think of 9/11. Though at times I know it is necessary to connect to it so as to rightfully honor those who perished, and the heroes that emerged. One thing I will do today in the midst of mourning is appreciate each little nuance around me. I will savor the tastes, moments, people, and experiences of one more day that those who perished will never get the chance to enjoy.

I also wish three wonderful people – David P. Long , Shemayne Williams, and Lanie Celenza Suky happy birthday today. Three amazing human beings have to share a happy day with a sad day for the rest of their lives. I celebrate them in the midst of “the feeling.” God Bless America. 

So a facebook status just wasn't enough/Labor Day Reflection

At the request of the lovely Jessica Robinson, and with some inspiration from Annette Cains, I have decided to start a semi-funny, Erma Bombeck-ish blog. My life is just too hysterical and sometimes amazing to not share all of the things that happen on a regular basis. It's not because I need you to click like but because sometimes I am saying to myself - "NO ONE WILL EVER BELIEVE THIS JUST HAPPENED!"

Oh also - amazing people in my life - since there are so many of you - sometimes I may acknowledge you here for your awesomeness. Please know I will not reveal any OF COURSE private or personal details of your lives, but may rightfully acknowledge you for just how great you are.

I will blog here about the incredible interactions I have with my students in the realm of service learning. It will restore your faith in humanity, the world, and icky teenagers if just for a few minutes. Then you may restore to your natural state of slightly jaded.

Today is LABOR DAY. According to the semi-unreliable source of wiki-pedia it is as federal holiday that "celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers." While I will NOT use this blog at ALL for political opinions, I would say that this day's actual meaning may be a little tough for some people that are struggling out there. I have been blessed beyond belief with labor that seriously gets me out of bed in the morning. From a young age, I have had a deep connection and purpose to my career which never feels like work to me. I cannot imagine not knowing I had somewhere to go each day to use my gifts and learn about people, the world, and life. 


So today I offer my good intentions to those that are struggling with unemployment in an erratic and crappy job market. The will to get up each day and continue a search not just for economic stability, but purpose, is an arduous one. I also challenge those of you not currently doing what you adore to look in your life and see what actions you are able to take to either create that or look for outlets like volunteering, entrepreneurial activities, or continuing education to help you head in that direction. I know its not an ideal time to just quit a job that stinks to "make it" somewhere else, so of course reality comes into play. 


For my friends who are parents ~ Please be total dorks this week and post a million pics of your kids with their backpacks and cute little back to school outfits. I love to watch your kids grow and smile and love life! 
Here lies summer, and what a great one it was!