Here we are, the last Sunday of the month. The last blog of the month.
I sit here with my mind wanting to go two ways. As I try to decide which direction I am going to choose, I realize isn’t that what growth of our mind and spirit is all about?
Think about it.
You are at the proverbial crossroad of life and you have a decision to make.
One decision will keep your spirit alive and growing. The other path will prune your spirit so sharply, it may not survive to get to the next set of crossroads. (There is always another crossroad in life.)
Now, please don’t misunderstand. Sometimes, we need a sharp pruning in order to get rid of a disease or a fungus that is causing our spirit to suffocate. Most of the time, however, our decision determines if we follow the righteous path that will continue the growth we need or the “feels good in the moment” decision we find ourselves occasionally wanting to give into.
I have experienced a lot of growth over the past few years. I have done things I never would have seen myself doing, especially in the last couple of years.
The decision to become a teacher was out of necessity because I was going from being married to being divorced. I had to support myself. I’ve always been told I would make a great teacher, but being from a family of educators, I fought the idea. I’m different. I didn’t want to follow that path. I wanted to write stories for all ages. I always pictured myself in a cute little home office writing the day away.
I accomplished to goal of writing and publishing, but it’s not a sustainable income and insurance for the job was not provided. So, I chose the road not yet taken to see what would happen. I’m going to say something now that I don’t say often….I do actually love teaching. I love bringing literature alive and explaining the concepts from my author point of view. It helps my students understand the why questions in writing.
So, I became a teacher …of middle school. I originally interviewed for a fourth grade position first because I have loved the idea of working with the younger aged children. However, something about the location of that position was not sitting well with me. I had two roads before me; fourth and sixth grade. I chose sixth grade. I chose the road my spirit needed at the time. Even with the unhealthiness of the environment and teachers leaving in droves, it was where I needed to be.
I will be completing my fifth year as a sixth grade teacher next month. It is also my last year to teach middle school because I have found myself at yet another crossroad. I love all the kids I have taught. Even the ones that made the classroom a hellish environment. But, my spirit is drained and as someone recently said to me, I need the love of the littles. I will begin teaching fourth grade in August. The decision was finalized this past week. My spirit is so happy with this growth, I can feel the blooming of my heart.
Maybe you are at a crossroad right now. Maybe there’s one just ahead. Maybe you’ve recently decided which path you’re taking and you’re on it now. Wherever you are in your journey, remember this…Life is all about the journey. Listen to your spirit as you travel through it. It’s meant to be your guide and it wants to take you on an amazing adventure.
