They Don't Teach You This In School

Yes, I work at a school. No, my college years (all 9 of them) did not at all prepare me for what I would have to do on a daily basis. So, what exactly did I spend tens of thousands of dollars and nearly a decade of my life learning?

It is true that life lessons happen even if we don't look for them. Sometimes it takes us looking back on life to even see the lesson.

So, as I am sitting here thinking today, I came up with a list of things that I was never told/taught in school. It may have been presented on the days I skipped class though - I may be partially responsible for not learning it!

1. That I would spend so much time in meetings.

2. That my job really is paperwork with kids attached; not, kids with paperwork attached.

3. That a majority of my day is spent with adults (parents, other teachers, etc.)

4. That the events of my day would really make for a great book - but no

one would buy it because no one would believe it.

5. That I could be mentally exhausted enough at the end of the day that a nap is required.

6. That I would become jaded within 3-5 years of beginning my career.

7. That I could still love my job even though individual events cause upheaval.

8. That my compassion for kids would be exponentially increased.

9. That my evenings and weekends would consist of a laptop and a couch.

10. That I would really look forward to TRUE 3-day weekends and think, "it's a vacation"!

And yes, this coming 3 day weekend is going to be a vacation. I will not do work, I will not do work, I will not do work!

Life Lessons - They're Everywhere!

As I sit here looking out my window, I see gorgeous trees beginning to change their colors. Slowly, each day, they become more vibrant and beautiful. Unfortunately, there are not many days when I have the ability to actually sit at my desk and look out the window! So I will enjoy it for today.

I currently have an 8 year old boy asleep on the floor of my office because life is overwhelming him right now and he just can't handle school today. As I sit here trying to work as quietly as possible so as not to disturb him, I am also being overwhelmed with thoughts of spiritual things. This same student violently lashed out at me on Monday leaving physical marks on my body. I know that his parents are having difficulties with him at home, school is becoming more and more difficult for him, and he just doesn't understand why he's in the situation he is in (he was adopted at the age of 2). So, he lashed out. Understandable, yes. Socially appropriate, no. Did I get hurt? To some extent physically, yes, but nothing major. Emotionally, I was frustrated and angry that he would do this to ME...but, I would rather he do it to me than to someone else. Yet, 48 hours later, he is here with me again, but in a completely different manner - vulnerable, tired, and 'childlike'. He just wants to feel love and acceptance - at the deepest level. Today, I offer him a haven of safety and peace. I hold no ill will against him for how he treated me in the past. I sit here and watch over him, and protect him as much as I can.

Now comes the spiritual correlation.

Life comes at us and never stops. Difficulties arise for everyone regardless of age, socioeconomic status, gender, marital status, culture, or country in which we live. It is easy to get overwhelmed with it all and lash out. Do I lash out at God when I don’t understand, am angry or frustrated? Yes. Is it understandable? Sure. Is it appropriate? Maybe or maybe not. Does it hurt Him? Yes. But, He is still there with arms open waiting to offer me a safe haven to run to. God forgets my past and loves and accepts me for who I am regardless of how I’ve treated Him. I just have to get over myself and come to Him vulnerable and childlike. I know that I am not worthy of His love and acceptance of me, which is why it is hard to accept it. But I do know that He wants to watch over and protect me.

So, why do I fight it?