Balance

There's nothing quite like it. Balance seems almost like a universal truth. Even more, it can almost act like a universal solvent...so efficient, powerful, and useful in so many situations. Balance can seem to open up one's breathing, clear one's mind, and energize one's spirit. All too often, we can find ourselves out of balance -> physically with our backs, golf swings, running strides...mentally with too much work and not enough play/relaxation/family time...spiritually with overloads of stress and not enough unplugging and mindfulness.

Today has brought the concept of balance to the front of my mind. Not because of one absolute reason, but rather a result of may different variables. This is always a time of year when I start to see stress levels rise in the students. I'm sure it can seem crazy, with winter break only a couple of months ago and just a few months left in the school year, but it never fails that the time of year leading into spring break always seems to be a trying time for kids. They can have many stressors going on - academics, tournament season for winter sports, choir/band/orchestra performances, spring musicals, standardized and high-stakes testing (and for HS students, looming AP and college entrance tests later in spring). Throw in the tail end of flu season, excess worry around Coronavirus, and everyone waiting for winter to let go it's grasp, and it's safe to say everyone could use some re-calibration.

While it's tough to control what students will do outside of my classroom, I can help by modeling balance and encouraging them to seek balance in their own lives as much as they can. Do I really need to have them do activity "X" as homework? Probably not...we could come back to that next time. Is there a great way for this activity to be done offline, so they can maybe unplug for a little bit? Probably. If they hear me talk about mixing in downtime, getting exercise, having family time, and pursuing interests and passions outside of school could they see that for themselves? Maybe, maybe not...but it is certainly worth trying!

We as adults need to make sure we're getting the balance we need for ourselves. If we do, we are probably much better equipped to assist our students in achieving that same type of balance and peace as well. Read a good book; put on that great album you loved 5, 10, 15 years ago; go for a walk or get a hard workout in; think-meditate-ponder in quiet stillness for a few minutes; spend some time doing something fun with a loved one or friends. Recharging our batteries and finding balance can be contagious - in a good way :)