"I'm back" - It's all about perspective!

I'm sure we have all used or heard the expression, "I'm back". Often it means we were talking to someone and stepped out of the room, texting and got interrupted, or maybe even a bigger obstacle in life got in the way for awhile. "I'm back" can be a declaration of a renewed energy that we are ready to take on a challenge again. It refers to something that was happening (past tense) and that we want to continue (present) and even pursue forward (future). 

COVID-19 has dampened our spirits at times and restricted our movements - both figuratively and literally. There is a lot of negativity out there right now that can suck the life out of us. If you have ever seen the Ames Room Illusion, you will know that things can be distorted and our perspective can be affected. Appearances can be deceiving, and sometimes we need to get out of the box!

For me "I'm back" was something I thought about as I started my run today - not at the end. It was my mindset to focus and push towards my goals. I have been running consistently for about 15 months again, but it's actually something that goes way back further into my youth and childhood. I have always loved to run, but there have been periods where I have been more inactive.  This past couple of years has been a journey back to health for me in a more consistent way. When I run it refocuses me and gives me the energy to move forward. It allows me to get rid of the negative stress from work and life, and stress (towards the) positive. Physical activity and getting outside are a blessing for the body, mind, and spirit! It is a positive stress - to push myself beyond physical boundaries.

Unfortunately, I have been dealing with a minor leg injury lately which has slowed me down, so I took about 3 weeks off to rest it. I could have focused on how I haven't been running lately, or that today's run was not as fast as usual, or that it was raining and wasn't a great day to get back on the trail. All that would have done is got me in a negative mindset. 

There are a lot of excuses and reasons that can get in the way. Today, I just had to get out there and feel the "I'm back"! Sometimes, often,  it's important to declare "I'm back" even when you don't feel like it. So what's your "I'm back" today or this week? This isn't just about running, this is about what you have right in front of you. So what's stopping you. Go after it. Declare it! "Be back"!

Reach within and reach out!

I recently had some of my ideas put to the test, and by that I mean some ideas I had written awhile back were recently published, viewed and reviewed. I questioned momentarily if I still feel or think the same way now. A lot has changed in the past 8 months. Does this ever happen to you? 

I share my thoughts pretty freely, often out of an emotional place, it's just the way I am wired I think!? I do try to be thoughtful about who my audience is, but sometimes my writing is just an expression of who I am and it's for me.  I don't always agree with what I said or thought before - it's called growth! When I reflect back, I can see how I have changed. Circumstance and context affects us all differently but also in a lot of ways the same. At times I feel alone, I get low, I have doubts, I question the way things are, and at times want to close myself off from everything. But, ultimately, I never give up, and over the long haul I continue to see the world with a positive lens and develop resiliency, grit, determination, empathy, and love. 

There are two main things I do consistently to keep a positive mindset, which might seem to contradict each other, but I see them as interconnected and very helpful:

1. Taking care of my heath. Prioritizing time for me and being active and spending time outdoors is what grounds me. At times I need to shut out all the noise and busyness, and just take a deep breath. When I am alone, with my own thoughts, I re-center and can be more present again for others. 

2. Reaching out for help. Talking about how I feel and sharing my thoughts with trusted people who are close to me and within my networks has been a tremendous support. I am lifted up and find encouragement to move past barriers and struggles, sometimes in my own thinking, and this challenges me to be a better version of myself.  

We all need time to be alone and we all need to seek out support from the people who are close to us. Whatever you do when you find yourself in a tough spot and want to retreat, my advice is to reach within and reach out!

Dear Educators, Students & Parents

Dear Educators,

What we are going through is hard, but don't give up. Being an educator is challenging right now. It's okay to take a break when you need one. Reach out to your family, friends, and colleagues when you are feeling anxious, stressed or alone. Take care of your own health first, then you can be a better Teacher, Education Assistant, Principal, and give to your students and families. Focus on what really matters, let the little things go. Together we are stronger and we can get through this.

Dear Students,

What we are going through is hard, but don't give up. Being a student is challenging right now. It's okay to take a break when you need one. Reach out to your family, friends, and adults at school when you are feeling anxious, stressed or alone. Take care of your own health first, then you can be a better person and give to others. Focus on what really matters, let the little things go. Together we are stronger and we can get through this.

Dear Parents,

What we are going through is hard, but don't give up. Being a parent is challenging right now. It's okay to take a break when you need one. Reach out to your family, friends, and school community when you are feeling anxious, stressed or alone. Take care of your own health first, then you can be a better parent and give to your family. Focus on what really matters, let the little things go. Together we are stronger and we can get through this.