In the day to day pace of life, finding the time and space to truly focus is often a challenge of mine. This isn't a new realization for me, a former New Yorker now living in Singapore; it's something I've grappled with for a lifetime, requiring constant reminders and strategies. My time spent living and working in Thailand for twelve years proved invaluable, teaching me the art of embracing a slower pace, cherishing the small things, and learning to decelerate. As Aguilar (2018) puts it, "When we’re fully present, we’re more likely to find appropriate levity to moments of challenge and to relieve stress by finding humor in a situation" (p. 125). I am a work in progress, and it's a continuous journey for me, acknowledging the natural constraints of an educator's time and the challenge of fully connecting with both my staff and my beloved family of five. Over the last three years, I have read numerous books that have pushed my thinking and shaped my practi...
As I reflect on my own journey and recent accomplishments, I want to take a deep dive into the importance of doing hard things. I've just completed my doctorate in educational leadership, a feat that at times felt insurmountable. Now I stand, on the other side, stronger than ever before. While navigating the challenges of my doctoral journey, I couldn't help but think of the wise words of Jennifer Abrams, a key mentor who helped me through some challenges. She often speaks about the importance of stretching ourselves, not for the sake of success, but for the learning that comes with it. I recently read "The Power of Moments" which had so many salient points, and a certain quote stuck with me, "The promise of stretching is not success, it's learning. It's self-insight" (Heath & Heath, 2017, p. 131). This quote resonates with me for so many reasons, particularly the significant hurdles I faced while trying to complete my dissertation. In addition t...