Call it a God Wink, call it the stars aligning, call it opening my heart space, or call it the universe screaming at the top of its lungs- whichever you prefer – I’ve been noticing a lot of it lately.
This past week brought way more highs than lows and for that I am grateful.
Take Thursday for example. It was 70+ degrees outside, the sun was shining, I was on a walk in our beautiful neighborhood and this song came on…”Sweet Serendipity” by Lee Dewyze.
I start to smile because it reminds me of a dear friend who not too many months ago was going through a rough time and who like always, decided to trust the journey that God was taking her through and was determined to find the positive Serendipity in life. (She’s a special one this woman, a constant source of inspiration for me!)
I continue walking probably to a bit of an overzealous stride and receive an e-mail from a mother who sent me a picture of her beautifully beaming son who just received his Indi-ED acceptance card and shirt with a sweet message about his comments about being excited to start next year – and so begins the instantaneous happy tears!
That song, thinking of my inspirationally brave friend, that e-mail, all in one moment – stars aligning. Check!
Friday, my heart swelled further.
A former student’s mother decided to host a small fundraiser for Indi-ED. This mother is another inspiration and friend to me as her daughter faces some challenges, yet I have never heard her once complain. She is upbeat, fun-loving, and just a genuinely good soul.
To give you perspective, I sat down to coffee with her on Monday to discuss Indi-ED and how it will work and by Thursday she had this event planned to provide funds to use in any way that we see fit. She arranged food, beverages, raffle items, flyers, invited friends and family, etc. the works and didn’t ask for a thing in return.
I’ll be honest, I didn’t know what to expect, largely because I chose to not engage in social media with student’s parents and the event was pretty much organized on that. But when I showed up on Friday, I was welcomed by former students and their mothers, current students and their mothers, families who are choosing to enroll at Indi-ED, families who are choosing another school for next year, friends, former co-workers, people I didn’t even know, and even a friend who showed up after having to spend the last few hours in the ER!
At one point when I took a step back to take in what was around me, I realized the message that all of these beautiful women were sending me and which I received, thank you. Was that they supported me. It doesn’t mean that they have to agree with everything that I say or that my way of work is the best. But for someone who is admittedly a little more private, I was beyond grateful to be surrounded by these women who I respect and to feel their supportive energy. Opening my heart space – check!
Then for my first weekend in months, I did not schedule any meetings so that I could decompress and recharge a bit and I was thankfully invited by my brother’s girlfriend to join her family for a crafting evening at Nook & Cranny, a local make and take business.
I chose to paint this sign that I will proudly hang at Indi-ED next year and as I zoned out a bit to paint, I was uplifted again to hear the positive comments that flung across that studio. “Ohhh I love yours!” “Oh, yours is so beautiful.” “D-, you’re so talented with colors, could you help me pick mine?” As I sat back to observe and listen, I couldn’t help but feel the positive presence that these ladies shared with one another and I was grateful to be included.
It got me thinking about how I can ensure that these same feelings flood through Indi-ED throughout the staff, the families, and the kids because I just listened to a podcast that morning about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people and I know firsthand how toxic the environment can be if you don’t. God wink- check!
Then today. I spent an entire day at work, in a school (disclaimer: not Indi-ED!) feeling the complete opposite! I felt little support, I felt judged without understanding, I was consumed by negative speech, I felt overwhelmed, I felt defeated. 7 hours of me trying to pull myself out of a funk and the worst part about it, I only spent 3 mins. after school actually engaged in meaningful conversation with a student. Isn’t that my job?! Something’s not right here. I’m listening.
Thank goodness, I had 3 student interviews after school and each of them renewed my spirit in a matter of minutes! Sweet, sincere, motivated, creative, and loving kids all pumped about the potential of next year surrounded by equally sweet and sincere parents and families. This stark contrast – the universe yelling at the top of its lungs- I HEAR YOU!
I know everything will not always be perfect.
Life is about balance. Ups and downs. Ebbs and flows.
But for now, I am thankful to be on a path that I believe the universe in encouraging me to stay on and to be surrounded by positive people who just ‘get it’ in the process.
I’m happily listening and looking forward to what lies ahead.