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A personal reflection…
At the end of February, 2013, I was incredibly excited to be asked to “come home” and speak to teachers for the opening day of the Horizon School District 2013-2014 school year in Saskatoon. This was a special honour to me as it was the district that I grew up in as a kid. I called my mom soon after it was confirmed, excited to shared the news with her. She was really excited, but I remember her saying, “well hopefully your father and I will be around still by that time.” I told her to be quiet and stop being “ridiculous” as the talk was at the end of August (tomorrow) and obviously that was a scenario that would not play out.
A month later my Dad passed away from a heart attack. He will never see me speak.
Anyone who has been through that knows you change forever. My world, my outlook, and sometimes I even think my demeanour. Life seems a little bit slower. I have no other way to explain it.
So I decided to really take a look at my life and what makes me happy. Because of this event, I decided to take a half-time leave from my job at Parkland School Division to pursue the opportunity to speak more, as well as write. Although last year I was either at work or on the road working, I wanted to do things differently. I want to, as a friend of mine always encourages, “smell the roses”. I want to have more experiences. I want to meet more people. I want to connect deeper with those I am closest with. I want to pursue my passions.
As the school year started today for teachers within our school division, I have thought about what I want to focus on, not as a teacher, but as a person. Here are some of those thoughts:
- Surround myself with amazing people.
- Trust when it is tough and forgive those closest to me a lot quicker.
- Try to give more than I receive.
- Pursue my passions with all my heart.
Teaching is a “people business”, and I believe that there is a considerable need for us to look at ourselves and what we need to be happy if we are inspire those we connect with every day. Time is a gift and I am going to try to make the most out of every moment by focusing on living better this year, than I did the last.
“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau
