Keep the Light On

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” – Desmond Tutu

It’s easy to fall into the trap of negativity. Thinking and saying negative things can give us a short since of relief, and in that moment, we think that we are releasing things that are holding us back. While there is nothing wrong with expressing how we feel about something, we cannot let those feelings be the ones that control us. Too often, we let negative feelings control how we act and how we make decisions. We cannot let negativity blind us from what our ultimate goal is. I am a 5th grade teacher, and I have first-hand knowledge and experience of how negative feelings can hold me back. Teaching is a very stressful and demanding profession, and it’s easy to dragged into the negativity surrounding it. From the pressure of parents and administrators to the negative and false comments on social media. It’s easy to allow those things to hold you back. What helps me from falling down into the trap of negativity is by focusing on my goal. I keep it simple and the same for every year. My goal is to prepare my students for the next grade. I focus on what skills and tools they will need in order to be successful in my class and for them to be ready for the next. Seeing the light at the end gives me something to work towards. Having a goal prevents me from falling into a pit of negativity, and it might help you too.

I took these photos last February. I had several appointments that day, and I took the entire day off from work. I had some time in between appointments, and I decided to take a walk at Freedom Park. Freedom Park is a large park with a lake, playgrounds, and walking paths located in Charlotte, N.C. It is one of my favorite parks to visit in Charlotte. It is a great park to hang out or take photos.