What is the Right Thing? Is There One?
Honestly, I am struggling. Struggling to find the right thing to say in this message. The unthinkable has happened in Maine, and at the same time, the holiday season is upon us. Is it appropriate to be joyful when others have lost so much? When our safety cocoon has been broken? Or do we need as a collective whole to embrace the joy and happiness of this time of year? To acknowledge that despite the bad there is definitely more good? I know I have been more purposeful in my interactions with my inner circle so that they understand their meaning and importance in my life. I have been more mindful of the gifts that I have in my world and have realized that my time is not limitless on this rock so I must make it count.
Therefore, I chose Joy. Hope. Gratitude. From that lens, I want to share a few things that bring me happiness and that I am grateful for:
- My friends and family. Since moving to Maine, I have found the right partner and a friend circle that has sustained me during tough times. It is difficult to make new connections at my stage in life, so I am fortunate to have folks who have accepted me into their worlds with open hearts and minds. I have enjoyed so many new adventures that have challenged and pushed me to be different, to embrace the uncertainty in life. I am also lucky to have built over the years a tightknit network of friends and colleagues who have shared their experiences, gifts and loyalty with me. I would not have been able to get to where I am in my life without this collective group of amazing and I mean amazing people.
- My mistakes. I have made many mistakes in my life. While some may not understand this one, I have learned more from my mistakes than I have from my successes. My failures have shaped me into the person I am today and have allowed me to push the boundaries of my skillset and knowledge. If there is one piece of advice that I share with anyone I mentor, it is that to fail is to grow. It is only a failure if you do not take away the lesson the universe was trying to give you. Growth is a gift. We must keep pushing forward, especially when it is the most difficult.
- Memories. I have lost many loved ones in my life, but I carry them and many memories of them with me every day. My mother loved Christmas so this time of year is very special for me. The kindness that seems to permeate the world makes me wish the holidays could be year-round. Not to mention holiday lights! Who can be mean when there are brightly lit lights on everything? So, I try and remember the lessons she/they taught me and be a good human even when others are not.
- MEA/Unions/Educators. I love what I do. Advocating for the people who work so hard for students and public education every day is a privilege that I do not take for granted. I am lucky to have found something that combines my love of public education and advocacy. So many things we take for granted were fought for and won by unions. A five-day workweek. Holidays. Overtime. Health insurance. Representation of the oppressed. Due process. New educators often do not realize the history of their contracts or the battles that came before them. Unions understand that an injury to one is an injury to all and have fought to put protections in place for all employees. I am proud to help lead a union that represents all school employees and fights for the working conditions that help all succeed as educators.
Please also know MEA is working to find the right space to advocate for the changes we need that must happen to make our world and particularly our schools a safer place. You will hear more in the coming weeks and months about possible next steps and ways you can participate in those efforts. Educator voices will be key in that dialogue, and we will need you to help us advocate for those changes. We are stronger together.
As this year comes to a close, please take a moment to breathe, embrace the possibilities of life, the gifts you have in your world, the people and things you love, and the joy of this season.
Happy Holidays,
Rachelle Bristol
