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 to the COVID-19 pandemic, I experienced the loss of my younger sister and a dear friend who was like a second father to my three children. Simultaneously, I made the bold (and seemingly crazy) decision to leave behind the comfort of my home and job in Thailand after twelve years. To add to these complexities, my family of five was temporarily separated, with my husband and eldest son in the USA and myself and two younger children in Singapore.
One thing remained constant during these challenges: the importance of support from those around me. I was not used to needing to lean on others, as I was used to being the rock for others. I often reminded myself of what a dear friend and colleague told me time and time again, that we never truly know what battles others are facing behind closed doors. It's a sentiment I hold close to my heart, as very few people were aware of my challenges and I was doing my best to persist and put one foot in front of another. I continued to push forward.
Every day offers us bright spots and challenges, and through this period I learned a lot about myself. I discovered strength and resilience and the importance of stretching ourselves. Without stepping outside of our comfort zones, we never truly uncover our full potential and get to relish in the bright spots surrounding us.
As a middle school principal, the vital lesson is something not just for myself but for the students I get the honor to work with on a daily basis. Adolescence is a time of incredible growth and change, where each individual is seeking their individuality and a sense of belonging while dealing with incredible uncertainties. My hope is to help inspire and encourage our students to embrace the discomfort, to keep stretching themselves, knowing that growth and self- discovery lie ahead.
To all my colleagues and students, remember to embrace the hard things. Keep stretching, keep growing, and never underestimate the power that lies within you because therein lies the endless possibilities.
Heath, C., & Heath, D. (2017). The power of moments: Why certain experiences have extraordinary impact. Simon & Schuster.
Abrams, J. (2016). Stretching Your Learning Edges: Growing (Up) at Work. Eye on Education.
Photo Credit: vecstock on Freepik
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