This is a post about HOPE, though it might take just a minute or two of reading to get there. First, a story about summer camp.
It was the year I was supposed to be a Junior Counselor… my second summer on staff. One of the Senior Counselors was sent home after the first week, reportedly for not realizing that the rule about being in the cabin with her kids all night was – you know – serious. I got an unexpected promotion. And, with it came a new role.
Swim instructor! As low person on the totem pole, I was given the non-swimmers. The rocks, as they were known. Teaching them to actually swim was optional. Keeping them from drowning while they had fun was the big assignment. Turned out we were a good match, the rocks and I.
Oh, I could swim, for sure. I also knew quite a lot about things not feeling easy. Or natural. And I had also managed to figure out that not everybody needed the same help to learn new things.
Just between us, I’ve been dreaming about the rocks. And about being able to help them. It feels like there are lots of new things to learn to do these days. Hard new things. Like painting with the hand that doesn’t hurt so much. Keeping my shoulders attached. Holding hope even when things feel scary. And, they do.
So… I dug deep into my Medicine Basket and came up with an old treasure. One I’ve dreamed about for years but never thought I “qualified” for.
Sabbatical. The AI elves will tell you it’s an extended, often paid, leave from work (weeks to a year) for rest, travel, research, or personal growth. In my case, it’s a notion I learned during a whole lot of years in graduate school. Often in the sense of time off from teaching to write.
My plan is a wee bit different. Some focused attention on the health stuff, including learning new things. Intentional time to write. (The paintings insist!) And a whole new relationship with my word for 2026… well, one of my words!
Choice!
Blogs, of course! And 1:1 clients, ready for next steps on the path. And the kind of Fairy Tales that involve deep, sometimes scary, truth, because NOW is the time for truth and it’s a huge part of my Promise.
Like teaching beloved rocks to swim, I don’t expect it to be easy. And I’m grateful for my years of practice. Also for this quote, which I borrowed from the Women of Appalachia Project with some help from Facebook…
Forgive yourself for not knowing earlier what only time could teach.
ps… that, by the way, is a pretty great strategy! And there are more waiting for you in Grammy’s MetaMod Wisdom Cards! Just click here to save 20% when you order 2 sets. What a great gift! (Offer good through Sunday, Jan. 11 on in-stock supply shipped to one address!)