This weekend I opened my work email for the first time in a while. I felt a small bit of dread in anticipation of receiving a bunch of emails to handle. Instead, I was given the gift of clarity, presence, and purpose: I had emails from two students requesting assistance with a computer science project.
I had an opportunity to show up.
As a teacher, I show up for my students. Like stepping into a role on stage, showing up as a teacher is an opportunity to embody the following:
Patience Presence Passion Attentiveness
Appreciation Interest
Integrity Compassion Curiosity Creativity Flexibility Energy Responsibility
Respect
Showing up makes a difference. When I bring any one of those characteristics to my students, it impacts them whether they’re aware of it or not. They’re acknowledged, respected, supported, and cared for. They’re invited to feel safe, and that allows them to also show up in order to learn and to live.
We don’t have to show up, but it matters when we do. It matters to us, and it likely matters to others too.
For me, the toughest part of any project, journey, or task is starting. But once I take that first step, I’ve already shown up.
Showing up starts with a single step that likely requires courage, but take that step and you’ll figure out how to be effective when you get there.
Where do you show up? Where else would you like to show up?
Thank you for having the courage to show up in your life in whatever ways you already do. And thank you for considering where else you'd love to show up.
Thanks so much for reading. ❤️
p.s. I committed to a one-year exploration through the medium of this blog. For the last 51 weeks I’ve shown up, and for me it’s been empowering, challenging, exciting, insightful, and grounding. I’m glad I’ve shown up. Thank you for giving me someone to show up for.
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