…it’s time to plan for change. Planning helps to keep peace of mind. The mind wants to be in control, it wants to know what’s going on, what’s going to happen next (see my blog Minding the Mind). But during the present times of constant change, planning with confidence is more challenging than ever. And of course, this causes anxiety and stress. So if you can trick your mind by including change into your plans, it will help you keep your peace of mind.
You know, create plan A, plan B, maybe even plan C, and prepare to transition between them. In this way, your mind is in control and at peace, and you are more relaxed and happy.
Our school district, as many others, went from 1. school closure, to 2. opening up for summer sessions, 3. planning to reopen for fall 4. not being allowed to open in fall 5. moving back start date to be able to open in person, 6. announcing they won’t open in person till after winter break, 7. getting cleared to reopen on time after all, but 7. not opening their campuses because virtual feels safer, 8. telling us they are working on reopening in person soon…
This is where we stand now and we will figure out the next steps as we go. Nobody knows exactly where we are going, but from the last few months we know it won’t be straight forward. We will need to stay flexible and keep adapting.
So in all this uncertainty, some stability can be obtained by looking at facts. For example:
- This virus is here and it won’t go away so soon.
- We can’t just stop living.
- Kids need to get educated.
- Kids (and adults) are constantly learning, even if it is not the same academic stuff as their peers last year.
- These times are different but it is ok to be different.
- Many good things came out of this crazy situation.
- This is a perfect chance for change!
Maybe our kids won’t learn as much academics this year, but they surely will learn other life skills. They will learn to adapt, to go with the flow, to be flexible, to do the best with what’s out there.
Change is a chance. A chance to grow, to move in another direction we surely would not have chosen if we hadn’t been pushed.
Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible. – Francis of Assisi
