Stay on the Trail

By Dr. Marci

For many of us this period has been very overwhelming and maybe difficult. There are those who are cracking under pressure including financial, loss of jobs, mental health issues, learning loss and for some it can be that we are experiencing all of them. Since as teachers we wear many different hats, we try to fix all of them in the classroom yet, we are suffering silently and at times it seems as if we are all alone because it seems as if no one cares or understands. Of course, we are humans and can crack too. I believe that it is always necessary to stay on the trail but also important to take a break. It seems as if administrators, fellow teachers, parents, and students just don’t get it – even though we try to do the right thing professionally, words are thrown at the educator as if he/she is not human and have no feelings. Yes, it is also easy to say, “Oh she is so sensitive, she gets upset for everything!” But who gives that person the right to say that or even think that that person is not supposed to deal with her feelings? Words affect people differently and we should be mindful of what we say to each other.

Life can be so unkind sometimes and to add to our sadness, there are wars, sickness, meanness, and on and on. The struggles are real, and we are forced to grin and bear things but also stay on the trail and do everything that is considered good. Stay on the trail and pretend that we don’t struggle, or nothing bothers us. We must take time to breathe and even check in with our mental health and do things that make us feel special. For me, it’s the little things that help me to just breathe, things like spending time with family and do things that are on my bucket list. Speaking of bucket list, I had the opportunity to go explore the Grand Canyon in Arizona. For the first time in a long while I was able to forget about teaching and dealing with administrators but to take in nature at that breathtaking place.  Truth is the experience was more than words could tell or maybe my words. In one day, I experienced three seasons the temperature went from 60 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit where it even iced (slushy snow) and then it went straight to 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

The day was eventful, and I got a chance to see and reflect on God’s splendor. The experience was enjoyable, yet vibrant. I knew that this was also another learning experience for me. God placed me there for a reason, the friends who accompanied me on this journey I got to know better and learned so much of the things we share.  It gave me the opportunity to take a break, reflect, laugh, and enjoy nature.  And how could I forget, I also am very grateful for the fact that I was able to have the experience and use all my given senses. I came face to face with the love of life and God’s Grace towards me. It encouraged me to look at my inner core and who I am based on the various rocks and their formation. There were rocks of various sizes, colors, depth among other things. Just simply amazing! One of the big things that this experience also taught was simply how to stay on the right trail or course of action.  Set goals and stick to them, don’t get distracted or I could get lost. Don’t focus on the meanness of what others say or do because they could be lost too and unsure who they are or what makes them tick.

On the journey, I was able to stop at the Hoover Dam and watched in awe at how vast the space was and how the people who built the dam suffered during the building of this beautiful place so we could enjoy. The Mike O’ Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial which linked Nevada and Arizona Bridge showed me how beautiful things could happen if we could come together as one and we stayed on the trail to reach the wonderful Grand Canyon. This breath-taking wander of the world arched 1,900 feet bridge was made of concrete and steel and spans over 1,500 feet downstream from the Hoover Dam. What a moment it was for me? I started thinking of the difference I was making in the lives of my students, and I needed to stay on the trail and continue to make a difference even when I feel like giving up or want to stop because of the meanness of others I might meet. My gift to help others should not stop and better yet, I won’t stop at mediocrity.  What can you do to stay on the trail?