Watch For Falling Apples

Hello friends. We have spent the week much like all of you personally and professionally adapting to our new and surreal normal. Patrick has spent time consoling his son who is suffering through the reality that his final months of high school, prom, senior night, and potentially even graduation may be missed. We are trying to keep our parents’ spirits up, check in on those alone, and get out into the fresh air every day. And it is only the first week for many of us. 

We usually write our blog in the third week of each month, yet have struggled over the past few days with our own processing, emotions, and thinking about the value or insight we could provide in 600 words. 

Amy participated in virtual yoga yesterday with her Florida studio and the teacher repeated, “This too shall pass.” several times over. It sparked immediate discontent and disbelief (also compounded by too many hours watching news), but after only a few minutes, brought about a calm. The shock of abrupt life changes, financial strain, and jarring adjustments have caused us to lose sight that this too will pass. We are so caught in the moment (with good reason!) and ever-changing status of things around us to be able to even consider this. 

As consultants, every week, we are usually out supporting teams in schools. Now we are left feeling helpless at home as we watch our friends (even those we don’t know now seem near to us), school and district leaders struggling to make decisions they never imagined they would be making to ensure students are okay–supported, connected, learning, and fed. As we did not need to participate this week in daily work calls, greet students online, or organize a household of children, we found ourselves sinking into a strange place emotionally and physically in a matter of days. So we Zoomed for hours, made Jibjabs for St. Patrick’s Day, laughed and cried looking at Twitter and Facebook, and have been moved by the outreach, creativity, and absolute call to action that is taking place everywhere. 

And as we were writing this, we came upon a reminder from a good friend of ours who is an artist:

We came to the realization that we can use this time differently. Everyone can. Once we adapt to our new structures and routines, so much is possible.

Every day, we are growing as a parent, a friend, a son or daughter, a husband or wife, a member of our world community. Maybe, you don’t see it yet or you just haven’t had a chance to see it with the chaos around you.

We found others on Twitter who were also thinking about what is possible: 

In this first week of dramatic change, it is difficult, to say the least, to have any optimism about our situation or to wake each morning with a positive mindset. One perspective we humbly offer, however, is that “out of necessity grows innovation.”  Many of you have already stretched so far out of your comfort zones out of necessity to include suddenly becoming proficient online teachers, using new tech tools, teaching your own children…learning to live with your college students… You are growing and will emerge from this completely changed in positive ways, as will your students. You have already strengthened your ability and theirs to adapt, problem solve, collaborate, create solutions, and think about others. 

“It’s the best time to try something new and brave, because every educator is trying something new and brave right now.” (April Strong)

Consider in this time ahead: How will you grow? Who can you become for yourself and for others around you in this challenging time?

This too shall pass. Watch for falling apples. Be well.

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