Before the Chairs Fill Up
One Time, One Meeting
Here's a quote, reflection, and affirmation to help power you through the rest of the week.
Quote
"The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it." - Thich Nhat Hanh
Reflection
Some of you are reading this, and your classroom is still quiet - chairs stacked or spaced neatly, bulletin board finished or not, no viewers yet. Some of you already have kids in those seats, names attached to faces, the year is already underway.
Either way, you're standing in a moment that won't come again. There's a Japanese idea for this, Ichi-go ichi-e - "one time, one meeting" - the notion that this specific gathering, whether it's the before or this exact group of kids now, won't happen quite the same way twice. If your room is still quiet, it's worth sitting in that for five minutes before the doing takes over.
And as you interact with your new students, remember that you'll never have these same interactions again.
Now Repeat...
I don't need to have it all figured out. I just need to be here for it.
Worth Your Time
Stay STRONG,
Jeremy
