Monday, May 25, 2015

For Kathryn: On Crossing the Lake




I’m sitting here in this sweet spot, on my couch in the Loon’s Nest.  I’m looking out across the lake and thinking of you.

We’ve had conversations about where you are in your life, in your career.  There’s always the thought that maybe you could do something different, be someplace else.  What common thoughts these are for someone in your stage of life.  I remember having the same thoughts too.  “Is this all I can do?  Isn’t there more?  Isn’t there something more exciting, more inspiring?”

And the answer may be “No.”

Like a person swimming across a lake, once in the middle you wonder about the wisdom of the undertaking.  You’ve gone too far to turn back.  And so you forge ahead, always dreaming of more.

Speaking as someone who has “crossed the lake” let me tell you something.  There’s something to be said for being in your career for the long haul.  You come out on the far shore and look back over the expanse of the water and realize what you’ve accomplished.  As a teacher, you reflect on the lives you’ve touched, the difference you’ve made in so many students.
 
It’s very satisfying.

You are in deep water.  The shore is far off.  But “do not grow weary in well-doing.”  There will be many trials and rewards along the way.  Take some time this summer to just float along for a while.  Find some refreshment in you time off.  Then you’ll be ready to begin again when the next school year rolls around.

But you never know.  Maybe a boat will come along and take you in a completely different direction.  And wouldn’t’ that be a good thing too? 

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