Reflecting

Teachers all know that the end of the year is not December 31st, but the last school day in June. The only difference is we don't have one night before New Year's, we have nine or ten weeks. That should be more than enough time to take a look back and do some reflecting. Don't get too heavy duty about it, this is not an exam. Simply take a few moments while you are lying in the sun, hoisting a drink, whatever gives you the best mood for ruminating and try to see yourself during the best and worst times of the year. How did you handle yourself? Were you guided by your love of kids and teaching or were you just trying to hang on for dear life? How well did you listen, see? When everything seemed to be overwhelming, what did you practice to help centre yourself and come back to what you really are?

When you have had time to consider some of these questions start to contemplate where you went off the rails and more important, how you were able to bring out the best in yourself and pass that on to the kids in your charge. Having done that, open yourself to everything that releases these qualities and let them be your guide today. This isn't something that waits until September, because it already lives in all you are. So if you can just get out of your own way and let it live in all you do, then you are definitely on the right path and there will be no need for New Year's resolutions in the fall. Have a wonderful summer!