At the crossroads on the best possible corner

I should have figured August would be full of emotion. (It always is for teachers—and I am still in that category. Probably always will be.) But this emotion has been building up for 10 months. And today is the final day of that period. I must recognize publicly this time at the crossroads. If you know me at all, you know my hope is that my message might reach someone else—down the road. 

Ten months ago, almost to the day, I walked away from my school, my position, my community with a heavy heart. Because my loved ones were struggling, I was near heartbreak and could not concentrate on my work. I am very fortunate to have a job, a partnership, and the privilege that made this leave possible. Thankfully everyone weathered the storm life brings. We are all safe, if not a little weary. 

This break turned out to be more than I could have imagined, although I knew the moment my feet started walking that I would not return to this place and time. I had no idea the opportunity it would offer me but I remained hopeful. I walked not because I was burnt out or broken, but because I knew there is more and better to my future than to feel so discouraged. My circumstances, like life itself gave me a gift and I received it with gratitude. 

I began from day one to build myself up (in ways not possible with a 9-5 J.O.B.). I wish I could give everyone a gift like this. I connected with everyone, met people I had no business knowing, got inspired, created, painted, traveled to Spain, began Spanish language instruction, and reflected meaningfully. I was able to ask myself what I wanted for the rest of my life and formulated some answers. I surrounded myself with “I CAN” people and positive messages that changed me in ways I didn’t think were possible when I was in certain circles. My relationships blossomed from good to great. I saw my daughter reach for the stars in ways she nor I thought possible. I take absolutely no credit but recognize I was able to provide what she needed from me and in a way that I was not able to before now.

This week, this final week, has been a culmination to these months. It was busy—no strike that! It was full of meaningful choices. I began a series of (paid) mindfulness and yoga sessions at a corporation as part of my coaching business, I contracted with another group to offer yoga to individuals with disabilities for the fall, I prepared to start a new instructional coaching half-time gig at a neighboring district by engaging in difficult work on race and equity, and, most importantly, I completed an intense study of the financial industry and acquired my Wisconsin securities agent license passing the final of 4 state licensing exams. No, there was no kicking-back on this summer break. I loved moving forward.

I cannot help but feel unstoppable. The new team (of fiance) I am part of is inspiring and motivational. That is their motto: unstoppable. My tool belt, bucket, emotional bank account (and every other Showing Up metaphor you can think of) is FULL on this, my final line on the last page of this chapter. Right now, most importantly, I have 1.) what it takes to confidently feel financially secure and skilled to take on what the future has to offer, and 2.) the knowledge it will take to be sure my kids have a $1,000,000+ nest egg for when they are my age and want to walk away from any work situation that is not serving their spirit. Having the knowledge to help other folks feel this confident: priceless! 

I love teachers! I love and believe in public schools! When our kids were young, we hoped that our influence and support would empower them to make good decisions that served them for a lifetime. We laughed to imagine we were that voice in their ear. I hope I am that voice for teachers. I would say, “How you talk about your situation and you matter! You are unstoppable! When you find yourself complaining regularly, decide: can you make a difference, or do you need to make a change?” (This is the tough love part.) And, finally, “I love you and you can do this hard thing!”