On This Day: 1 Year Ago

I know we are all struggling with this unprecedented situation we find ourselves in. And there are so many questions and unknowns right now. But before you know it we will be past this and it will be

this time next year

Those of us on Facebook will begin to get those notifications: "On this day 1 year ago..." 

I don't always look at those posts unless they pop up in my feed or someone tags me in one. When I see them my reactions vary based on what shows up. Pictures of my kids (who are now grown) as little ones bring a rush of happy memories. Pictures of vacations taken, loved ones lost, new friendships and connections formed all captured in posts titled, "On this day: ___ year(s) ago.


Have you ever taken the time to think that the present time is determining what will be in those memory posts?

With that in mind, focus on this:

You are determining right now what will show up in your memory feed 
"On this day: 1 Year Ago." 

Will it be anxiety inducing posts?

Will it be funny memes about toilet paper or being stuck in your house with your family?

Will it be encouraging posts that you shared to help brighten the days for others?

Will it be mindfulness pictures and posts that help others stop and appreciate the beauty of our world that we so often miss in the rush of every day life? (I am thankful to my #4OCFPLN voxer group for sharing their mindfulness pictures everyday).

You are writing the stories now that will be memories this time next year.

I am looking forward to seeing the memory notifications of the times...

...I have spent with my family watching movies, walking around the neighborhood, playing badminton and putting a puzzle together.

...I have spent drawing closer to my Alto Park family. Seriously, y'all we have had some good times on...

...Zoom playing trivia,

...parading in our individual cars to honk, yell and wave at our students,

...fun Flipgrid challenges.

We are closer as a staff than ever before. #APSoars

I think now more than ever I am more aware that what we are doing is going to impact us long into the future. Maybe it is because so many demands have been lifted. Maybe it is because our normal routines have been disrupted. Whatever the reason, let's embrace it and be purposeful in what we do.

Because in no time at all we will see the decisions we make today become the memories of yesterday. 

What Would it Be Like

You know as well as I do that this world could use a lot more compassion. My good friend and mentor, @MarkWilsonGA,  helped me see that...

compassion is defined as empathy + action.

The more of this life I am privileged to walk and the more people I am honored to connect to, the more real this becomes to me.

I was recently watching a sermon by Kyle Idleman (@kyleidleman). He is the Senior Pastor of Southeast Christian church in Kentucky. He shared the following story:

He was preaching at his first church. It was a small church with only about 50 members. There was a little boy named Alan. He came to church every Sunday by himself. He lived just down the road from the church. This little boy was out of control. He was a mess. He would run around during the service hitting people. On one particular Sunday he was running around in the lobby. There were glass doors between the lobby and the sanctuary. Alan stopped running. Then in the middle of the sermon he threw a matchbox toy car. Glass shattered. Kyle marched Alan to his house with the intent of talking to his mom and dad and letting them know that Alan was not going to be able to come to church without them.

When he got to Alan's house he stopped. It wasn't really a house at all. It was a run-down, single wide trailer. No more than 500 square feet. Alan's mom stepped out and said, "What did that blankety, blank do now?" She grabbed him by the arm and marched him into the house, cussing the whole time. She started talking about how hard her life was because of "this kid."

Kyle looked around. He saw a couch with a stained pillow and blanket and knew this was where Alan must sleep. There was no dad in his life. 

Suddenly Kyle was overwhelmed by this, What would it be like to be Alan? moment. At that moment everything he thought about "this kid" changed for Kyle. He felt nothing but love for him. He was not angry anymore. 

Compassion becomes the most overwhelming feeling when we take the time to think, 

What would it be like...?

Kyle said, "I actually took the time on accident to understand a little bit of what life is like for him."

Think about that for a moment.

When was the last time you walked by someone and could tell they were in pain, but were too busy to stop and hear their story.

When was the last time you saw how someone behaved and made a judgment about their actions.

When was the last time someone shared gossip with you about another person and rather than find out the truth you instantly believed them.

When was the last time....today? this morning? yesterday? last week? right before reading this blog?

It's okay. We all do it. There are so many times I have done just that. I decided in my mind why someone made a choice or behaved in a particular way. But you know what, most of the time I am wrong. And the moment I find out the real story, I am overcome with grief and regret. It is literally like a punch in the gut. This has happened to me enough times that I am learning to stop, take my eyes off myself and think, "What would it be like" before I make a judgment.

I reached out to my Twitter PLN for some responses to
What would it be like...

• to be raised by a single mom who is so broken that she struggles to meet the emotional needs of her children? 
• if we focused on supporting kids (and each other) instead of seeking out punishments? Elizabeth Merce (@EMercedLearning)
• to know you have so many people who unconditionally care about you and your well-being that you felt it? Dustin Pearson (@DustinPearson2)
• if you had down syndrome or any diagnosis and realized your teachers and peers see you as different and already have a mindset that you can't do what others do so they don't even try to teach you or play with you? Melisa Hayes (@hayes_melisa)
• to go to school or work each day and know your teacher or boss can't stand you? Erin Kiger (@EBGtech)
• for people to always think you aren't capable? Don Sturm (@SturmDon)
• to live in a world where everyone could feel true joy and find their fullest potential? Stephanie Brown (@brownfamoffive)
• to be scared to walk around school everyday because you are bullied? Bonnie Nieves (@biologygoddess)

Kyle shared that he took the time "on accident" to find out what life was like for Alan.

What would happen if we took time on purpose to find out what life is like for others? 

Kyle says, "Take your eyes off yourself. Stop for a moment. Don't worry about what they believe. Don't worry about their politics. Don't worry that they're different."

Dear Educator...your students and parents need you to do this.
Dear Administrator...your teachers need you to do this.

The world needs us all to do this...now more than ever.

Imagine the ripple effect that would come if we each purpose to do this more often.

Remember: EMPATHY + ACTION = COMPASSION

So, stop before you act or react...
And think...

WHAT WOULD IT BE LIKE?