“No amount of regret can change the past. No amount of anxiety can change the future. Any amount of gratitude will change the present.”
Hello, my dear friends and followers. I trust that August has treated you well and that you have enjoyed creating precious moments with loved ones. A close friend of mine, with whom I spent time this summer, has returned to work, gearing up for the upcoming school year. This season reminds me of the countless years I spent preparing for the year ahead as an educator and a parent.
When anticipating the upcoming school year, there are moments of anxiety regarding how it will impact us, whether as educators, staff, parents or students. Concerns often revolve around future occurrences that have yet to happen, consuming valuable time and leading to unwarranted stress.
My anxiety stems from various sources, particularly the fear of cancer recurrence. I rely on practicing gratitude to help me stay calm during the anxious wait for test results. I understand there is no way to speed up time or accurately foresee the outcome. I can also think better from a calm state, supporting decisions to maintain good mental and physical health.
Rather than focusing inward, gratitude involves directing our attention toward external sources of joy, such as people, places, and things. Living in the present moment and cultivating gratitude can alleviate anxiety that often arises from expectations. Unlike anxiety, gratitude does not demand anything from us; it simply requires us to appreciate what we have in our lives. We can interrupt anxiety and our expectations through gratitude and experience a sense of calm.
If you are a teacher, school staff or a parent with children heading to school, you can start this habit today. Take some time during your day to reflect on three things you are thankful for and jot them down. Concentrate on the present moment and acknowledge how lucky you are to have these individuals, places, or things in your life. This will help break the cycle of worrying about the future.
Practice this alone or come together as a family to express gratitude for your blessings. Showing appreciation for the people, places, or things in your life can assist you in overcoming any obstacles the upcoming school year might present.
I will begin by saying I am thankful for my girlfriend, who uplifts my day, for the beautiful space in nature I call home, and for nutritious food that supports my good health. What are you grateful for?
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