We all need the words. With accurate words we can clearly communicate our experiences to others, find others who share our experience, and have others understand what we’re going through. Rarely has, “I’m fine,” in response to, “How are you doing?” transmitted any useful information. Is it time to banish these banal responses? Word Jail.… Continue reading “How Are You Doing?”
Tag: retiredteacher
Spread The Recognition
At this time of year, it’s understandable to feel low and unmotivated. It’s getting a lot colder outside. The daylight hours are shrinking and cozy blankets are calling me to hibernate on the couch. At least, I thought that might be my problem when I couldn’t drum up the energy to write. The Cure. I… Continue reading Spread The Recognition
Getting Familiar With Discomfort
I didn’t realize how important discomfort would be during my journey from retired teacher to something else. I knew there would be challenges and change but I didn’t understand how essential it would be to accept not feeling comfortable, to realize that it’s a good thing. The Familiar Is Comfortable. My automatic reaction to discomfort… Continue reading Getting Familiar With Discomfort
Enjoying A Sideways Move
In my early years of teaching I made my first move from teaching kindergarten to teaching grade one, and I was met with a strange response from the parent community: congratulations. It made me laugh, and slightly annoyed. People outside the field of education equate an opportunity to teach a higher grade as a promotion.… Continue reading Enjoying A Sideways Move
Letting Go Of Control And Trusting Your Intentions
Changing my intention and trusting that this will help has been a tough lesson to learn. It’s been difficult because I resist letting go. I want to control the situation and make it happen. But the truth is that all I need to do is change my intention and then trust the process and the… Continue reading Letting Go Of Control And Trusting Your Intentions
Older And Progressive
There are many ageist beliefs that I’ve seen at work, but the idea that older teachers are more conservative in their methods than the younger ones is a pet peeve of mine. Perhaps you’ve seen it in your job, where the younger employees assume that the older ones are out of touch and backwards? They’ll… Continue reading Older And Progressive
When/Then Thinking
“When it’s a special occasion, then I will use my mother’s china dishes.” This is an example of when/then thinking. I don’t use the dishes until there’s a holiday. It’s remarkable how much this mindset has reduced the joy I let myself experience as an adult! “When my body looks a certain way, then I’ll… Continue reading When/Then Thinking
Learning The Truth and Reconciling
I’ve lived in Canada all of my adult life and worked in the education system for decades, but I wasn’t aware of the history and issues impacting Indigenous People until very recently. I am grateful for the patience of an Indigenous student teacher who began my education 7 years ago. She taught me about land… Continue reading Learning The Truth and Reconciling
Growing From A Caretaker To A Listener
I’ve recently become aware of the caretaker role and how much I have invested in being a caretaker for family and friends. I thought it was a good thing, but now I’m seeing it differently and realizing that caretaking has a harmful side that I never intended. As Maya Angelou said, “Do the best you… Continue reading Growing From A Caretaker To A Listener
Re-thinking Recycling
The state of recycling makes me sad and frustrated. Recently, while eating breakfast at a chain hotel, I watched as an employee emptied the recycling and garbage into the same bags. It happens all the time in hotels, the community and at work: recycling gets tossed out with the garbage after the consumer has dutifully… Continue reading Re-thinking Recycling
Retired, And Now What? 