New Life.
Where does it start?
We are born so helpless, fragile, and delicate, yet we are brought into this world with expectations galore.
I was fortunate to spend time with my day-old niece this past weekend; Amelia Grace Connolly. Wow! What a joy and bundle of beauty, but such a frail little specimen she is. It was such a pleasure to just look at her, and touch her tiny little fingers. Watch. Stare. Enjoy.
I too have recently begun a ” new life”, having accepted the position as the Head of School for an amazing educational mecca called The Gardner School of Arts & Sciences. Over the last few weeks, I have been separated from my wonderful wife, and two children, as they are back in CA spending time with family and finishing taking care of some odds and ends with our relocation.
This has not been easy on any of us, but as I reflect on Amelia Grace, with her tiny fingers, her little ears, and small little puffs of air, I realize that we are both in the same boat, so to speak.
I am new to the Northwest, to this school, and to the community of Vancouver.
Amelia is new to her parents, her sister, her home, and her extended family…everything really.
I have high expectations of myself in my new role and want to be a positive role model for all.
Amelia has high expectations for herself from society; preschool, college, marriage, kids, and careers.
I am learning hourly, daily, and weekly about how the school has been run, its past, and so many minute details about the operations.
Amelia has been learning by the second, minute, hour, and day as well. Breathing, nursing, moving, body control, inputting data, and much more.
I am nervous at times, for I want to succeed in the eyes of those around me, the students, and most importantly, myself.
Amelia, I am sure is nervous as well. She most likely wants to be the best little sister in the world. She wants to do everything right in her parent’s eyes and make a huge and positive impact on the planet and people.
So, what do we do? Who do we turn to?
Well, Amelia, has Malena, her big sister, her mother and father, amazing grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins. Soon, she will have friends, teachers, coaches, tutors, and mentors to learn, glean, and model from.
I, on the other hand, have my PLN. My @twitter network and #voxer, my friends, family and new supports: Board of Trustees, NWAIS New Head Group, and many others.
As Amelia and I navigate our newness, our beginnings, and our paths, I hope to learn from my many failures. I hope to teach her to do the same.
We are always learning.
We are always trying.
We are always failing.
But most importantly, we count on those around us for help, love, support, and direction.