“And so I face my doubt–look straight into it, and if in that moment I find myself looking back, I know I am okay, for I am whole, my halves complete: courage and doubt; can’t have one without the other.”

 

Trail Talk

With some final preparations today, the stage will finally be fully set for us to start down the trail on Monday, which will begin our first full week of the year. In some respects it has been my slowest start in twenty-two years,  but in many other respects, it has been my most productive. And I attribute that to my giving myself permission to take the time to do the things necessary to set the stage for our learning journey. And while it has not been easy to resist the urgency to charge ahead, I am glad that I have stuck to the plan, glad that I have exercised discipline in keeping the faith that I am making the right decisions.

Some of the kids are restless, made more so by the fact that this is quite different from the reality of their past and the reality of their present outside room 211. Many of my colleagues, especially those with whom I share honors students, have engaged their warp drives and are miles ahead, hours of homework and assignments beyond, with quizzes already in the books. I am not saying that’s bad or good. I am simply saying it is. And, as such, it is different. And that has created some doubt for some of the kids, and if I am honest, I, too, have felt tugs of doubt, wondering if I really am making the right decisions, but when one takes risks, one must confront doubt, else he is really not risking anything. And so I face my doubt–look straight into it, and if in that moment I find myself looking back, I know I am okay, for I am whole, my halves complete: courage and doubt; can’t have one without the other.

And so I stand. Resolute and secure in the knowledge that while I may not be making the right decision, I am making my latest best decision, one I must own until I learn and can do better. Maybe that’s the right decision.

Today’s Trail

Along today’s trail we will…

…begin with Smiles and Frowns

…continue considering character, community, and conflict with Seedfolks. 

…build community with Community Circle.

…capture the day in or Journey Journals.

Shorter periods today. Easy agenda. My restless ones will have to be restless just a bit longer. They’ll survive. And so will I. Have a great weekend, all.

Do. Reflect. Do Better.