Living Courageously

After a couple of very difficult years for our students, ourselves, and the world, author Elizabeth Bernstein writes: "Now, it's time to push ourselves outside our comfort zone."   Bernstein, E., "It's Time to Restore Excitement to Your Life," Wall Street Journal (May 18, 2022).    But how?

Well, Bernstein suggests taking a few chances in your life to be, well, different, challenged, growing, or, to put it in my own words, a bit quirky.  That doesn't mean that you have to quit your job and go tackle Mount Everest but it does mean that change requires, well, change.  It requires us to take a courageous step to try something new. And, because that something is new, it will be uncomfortable.  But living a life of comfort is not necessarily the best life of all, for us or our students, because living in comfort means that we are not being challenged and growing.

As a start, Bernstein suggest picking out some small adventures.  Perhaps having a conversation with someone that you're uncomfortable with (for me its bosses).  Or perhaps it's saying hello to the person behind the counter at the coffee shop and asking them about how they are doing.  Maybe its just a smile (because a smile is never, frankly, just a smile).  Those little things, you'll never know for sure, might be just what the "doctor ordered" to help someone else have a bit of a brighter day.  

You see, adventures are not meant to be lived alone.  Or, as someone from church recently told me, love without relationship is no love at all. So, love boldly.  Live courageous.  And, if you see me at the upcoming AASE conference, feel free to invite me to share in an adventure with you.  I could use a helping hand. We call could, I suspect.  (Scott Johns).