What we can learn from plants

I've always thought plants were amazing. They bring so much value to people's life. However, the most amazing thing about plants is they are adaptable and they are happy being themselves. I recently read somewhere that plants don’t rely on the validation of other plants to be who they are. They are happy with the purpose they’ve been given and they work towards fulfilling that purpose every day. Just like plants, I am slowly learning I do not need validation from anyone except God. I am learning that I am whatever God says I am and I only want to live in the purpose he has for me. Many of you may have heard that this year is being called the great resignation. I am trying my best to hold on and stay in the game. However, I am exhausted! This has been an arduous school year as an educator. Due to the pandemic, being an educator is exhausting these days. This pandemic has amplified the role and responsibilities of what we as educators are being asked to do day-to-day while tending to the health and wellbeing of our students. Students are angry. Parents are angry. Students have huge learning gaps. Parents are less supportive. Coworkers are exhausted and wiped out. And as a professional learning coach, I feel frustrated every day. It's challenging trying to motivate the unmotivated when you completely understand the reason behind their frustration and fatigue. It makes me start to question my ability as an effective coach. It is hard to coach teachers who are grappling with stressful situations and an armful of new challenges such as state testing mandates. It's not hard to see why so many educators are leaving the profession. Quite often I hear people say teachers should be motivated by their paychecks. That's not the case these days. Way too many people in education are in this mode of survival and have lost their passion for the work. Thus, I am tasked with not only coaching teachers and improving their teaching practices but also motivating teachers. It is challenging! Being an instructional coach during this pandemic is hard. But, I am up from the challenge. I overcome challenges every day and surprise myself. So, what can we learn from plants? Be strong and resilient. Plants allow their struggles to make them stronger and more sturdy. And just like plants, I chose to allow my struggles to make me stronger. I remind myself that we all will encounter challenging times where we experience successes and failures. As Napoleon Hill said, ‘Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle.’

#lifelessons

#lifelessons #growing #plants