“I recently listened to a podcast of one of the longest living survivors of the Holocaust, Estelle Lauglin.”

In this podcast she describes her memories of the people she thought of during her time in the concentration camps that provided her “light in darkness.” She goes on to share she firmly believes it is the feelings of hope, curiosity, and wonder that came from her memories of these people that kept her alive and helped her see “past the barbed wire fence.”

“I was having a conversation recently with my almost 10 year old son about his fear of starting a conversation with peers he did not know well. I asked him to describe the worst thing that could happen if he did. He said, “They might not like me.” Whoa. The worst thing that can happen to you is they “won’t like you.” Not death or a life threatening situation, but not being liked elicits this much fear in a 10 year old. The more I thought about it, the less surprised I actually was.”

“As I sat in my mother in law’s kitchen over winter break and shared stories, goals, and ideas for the future, a feeling of exhilaration, challenge, and adventure emerged from a place where it had laid dormant for a while. My mother in law made a statement that both resonated and stuck. She said, “Whatever you do, don’t lose your fire.” It stuck because I realized it had been a long time since I allowed myself to throw a few logs on the fire of the spirit of adventure and vision. But why?”

“A way of living with ease, gratitude, appreciation, peace, and prayer. A way of working from rest, not for rest, with nothing to prove. A way of bearing fruit from abiding, not ambition.”- John Comer (The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry)

Every year I set a resolution to slow down, which means every year I fail to succeed in this endeavor. By slow down, I don’t mean necessarily physically slowing down, but rather to slow down the thoughts of my head, to become more comfortable being still. I had some time off recently and was able to do some reflecting on this goal before I dared to set it again in 2024.

“As the compliance piles up, fear and disillusionment become the driving emotions of educational leaders. We struggle with managing all of the mandates while balancing the soul of the work, which is to inspire innovation in the hearts of the students and staff we serve. We run the risk of becoming so defeated and burned out that we leave no margins for creativity, for inspiration, for hope, and for rejuvenation.”

“Showing up in the middle is the hardest part of transformation. It’s here that the most growth and joy are made possible. It’s where we learn the most about who we serve. It’s where our life’s purpose and how committed we are to seeing it through is put to the greatest test.”

“Fellow leaders and friends on the path to transformation, I cannot wait to meet you in the middle.”

“My hope is to encourage you to sit in the silence and learn all you can while you are there. On the other side of the silence are beautiful people ready to try, change, grow, challenge, inspire, and innovate. Remember these people when the urge to step back and make everyone comfortable and happy creeps in again.”

“On the other side of loneliness, is life. The life you were called to create.”

“…So, as leaders, maybe having fortitude really means boldly protecting our spirit, resolve, and will, while remaining open to listening to the voices and hearts of those we serve. Remaining open to changing the way we communicate, collaborate, and champion the change, while never backing down from the vision.”

“Do you have periods of “The Slump” where you feel stuck, purposeless, held back, uninspired, and motionless?  One of my greatest fears is losing myself in a culture of complacency and self-service.”