Revelations

Yesterday I attended a workshop based on Ruby Payne's A Framework for Understanding Poverty. It was an 8 hour required workshop. The last thing I wanted to do was sit in an auditorium full of all of the district's teachers and administrators and listen to someone talk. I absolutely dreaded it!

And I'm so happy to say that I was completely, pleasantly surprised. Our presenter, Dr. Rita Pierson, was absolutely, fabulously delightful and entertaining. The best part of the day was that, in addition to all kinds of wonderful things that I can take to my classroom, I learned a thing or two about myself that helped me put some things in perspective.

Rita told a story about when she graduated from high school and was deciding where to go to college. She could have lived at home and gone to the local university where her father was a professor, but her mom told her she had to move out! That's right! She had to move out. Her mom said, "You have to move out so we can both grow up." OMG! As soon as I heard her say it, I knew that it completely applied to my own situation. I have been struggling with beautifulbabydaughter moving out, but I knew in that moment, that we too both need to grow up. Though I had accepted her moving out, I hadn't been able to find the good in until then. I've never in my life lived alone and I need to do that to grow up. Thank you Rita!

The day before the faculty from my building had to do a ropes/challenge course. Another day I absolutely dreaded. It was 107 degrees. Though I'm in good shape, I doubted my ability to complete the course. Not only did I complete it, I stabilized my math teacher friend who is 6' 1" and about 200 lbs. and kept him from falling off a log. It was fabulous!

The biggest revelation for me was that the things I dread, often turn out to be things I completely enjoy. I learned so much about myself this week giving me that much more to love about myself.

What have you learned about yourself? Stretch yourself, challenge yourself. I guarantee you'll not only have a fabulous time, you'll find something else to love about yourself!

Order Ruby Payne's A Framework For Understanding Poverty here
A Framework for Understanding Poverty