This weekend I put myself out there, and attended the most magnificent children's writing conference nestled deep in the Monterey coast.
And even before I put my name tag on, checked in at the hotel, or even surveyed the grounds I was transported back to my eight- year old self starting brand new at a school in California.
No matter how old you are, doing something new, acclimating, making yourself vulnerable and initiating conversations with people that you don't know can be a bumpy road.
As a teacher I think about how too often I gently nudged my students, and even my own children through these rocky transitions probably a little too quickly. Scratch that- definitely too quickly.
Yet, on the flip side, when it's all said and done with, the same feeling washes over me when I complete a task or adventure that has pushed me out of my comfort zone. A tiny voice inside me seems to always say, "Now that wasn't so bad was it?"
This is a powerful commentary on the challenge and reward of doing something new/unfamiliar. It's necessary as well and hard; yet, the rewards are many, Well done.
ReplyDeleteI think you have to hold both? But I definitely re-evaluated my own role with regard to kids navigating this transition for sure.
DeleteIt is so difficult sometimes to start a conversation. I think it is easier at a conference - at least you know one thread of conversation you can pull on - the theme of the conference! Thank you for posting.
ReplyDeleteYou are SO right! Absolutely
DeleteThank you for sharing this. I have been contemplating trying out a new hobby and feeling uncertain about it. But as you said we ask our students and own children to do this and we encourage them. So I am going to follow your lead and sign up for that class I was thinking about.
ReplyDeleteMonterey! It sounds like a multi-victory weekend! A stunning location. An inspiring conference. The chance to walk through discomfort and come out the other side with good feelings.
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