The Art of Rest

Week 121 – July 9, 2022 – A slow start to a good day

The weekly pandemic reflection persists as we continue to “live with” the pandemic. Just the other day, my friend advised me to wear my mask at work because the third wave of the Omicron variant was on the rise in BC. I get this. Luckily for the next two months I will not be teaching in person. I have a few online sessions and that’s it.

The next two months (before the fall session) are dedicated to writing. I hope I can live up to this personal promise. It’s taken me the last 4-years to get a relatively good understanding what higher education requires from me. It’s like getting a degree in life. That’s how long it took. No one says what it really is, until you learn it yourself.

Looking at the date, I have less than 1.75 months left to write. I spent the first year figuring out the inferno I walked into and spent much of my time in utter confusion; my second year was a continuation of the fire fighting (and a labour strike); my third year was B.Ed. Coordinator during the pandemic; and I taper out for my fourth year.

Now I have an academic coach, a few mentors, and the shear will to do what I want to do. I have reoriented my upcoming contract and I continue with a 80-20 contract. The difference is, it’s a 3-year contract, I am teaching a few more graduate courses, and committed to my research agenda at 0% pay (but almost 100% of what counts).

It took me some time to truly understand what my mentors and coach are telling me. There is a part of me that does not want to accept what I hear, but there is also another part of me who wants to realize what is possible and find the joy in what I do. There are many distractions in my work, but I can see the urgency to be selfish.

When I use the word selfish, I do not mean self-indulgence or narcissism. What I do mean is I need to take a moment to value myself, my gifts, and my time. I spent most of my life in service to others and living up to perceived expectations. I was never willing to sell my soul, but I have betrayed myself many times (not knowingly).

The Art of Rest. Things have slowed down and as of July 1, 2022, my job has shifted. No more B.Ed. Coordinator, minimize administrative duties, and add more teaching. One a flight to Vancouver, I was able to doodle the pieces to together, correlating my life with my kid’s (a commitment I make) and living out my dreams. I can do this.

Much like my painted toes above and slowly rolling out of bed this morning, it’s ok to have a slow start to a good day. My kid treated me to a pedicure yesterday and I was able to accept and enjoy. I love the life that I am living and I do not take it for granted. I have good friends, caring colleagues, and a loving family. Seriously, life is good.