It is February break and I am not on a beach in the Bahamas or skiing the slopes. I am home, with a list a mile long of everything I want to accomplish this week. Next to me, in his cozy suede bed, Teddy slumbers. His fur is super soft from his recent grooming and I pat his head as I walk by from time to time. I should add "stare at Teddy while he sleeps" to my list. It is what I feel like doing.
The proverb "Let sleeping dogs lie" is an interesting one, especially at this moment in history when there are so many issues to be challenged. What do we let lie and when do we fight the fight? It also calls to mind the Billy Joel song "Angry Young Man"- "I believe I've passed the age of consciousness and righteous rage- I found that just surviving is a noble plight. I once believed in causes too- had my pointless point of view- but life went on no matter who was wrong or right." Nearing 43, I feel more and more like Billy Joel in "Angry Young Man"- I don't have as much fight in me anymore. Especially professionally- I used to be so passionate about certain educational issues and I would be the one making a point in a meeting. Lately, I've had more of a "keep your head down, don't rock the boat, but make it work for the kids the best you can" outlook. I'm not sure if that's good or bad. Back to the list and back to watching my sleeping dog lie... **Warming up my writing muscles again for SOLSC in March!
2 Comments
Glenda Funk
2/22/2022 09:59:23 am
I love everything about this post. You know me well enough to know the promise of a Teddy photo hooked me, but the metaphor is wonderful. I understand not wanting to fight the good fight these days. Pick the battles that impact students, I think, would be my paradigm during these tough days. I think the inward fight ebbs and flows, and yours will return.
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2/22/2022 05:42:33 pm
TEDDY!!! Oh so sweet! I thought of him recently. Dogs bring so much joy. I am inclined to agree that just surviving is a "noble plight." In these times of COVID residue (as I call it), I believe many of us are conserving energy like an investment for when where we need it most, in survival. Today at work my team talked about feeling like we are ready to move forward with many things, but everyone's not in the same mental or emotional place across the board. Some fear loss of the mask mandate, for example...safety being foundational to survival. Will be hard to move to deeper problem-solving... trust yourself, Kathleen! And write on!! Writing has given me so much strength lately, And clarity of mind, and peace.
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AuthorKathleen Neagle Sokolowski Archives
February 2024
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