Monday:<\/p>\n
Despite not being too excited about the end of my holidays, I was surprised to discover a wee spring in my step (note: figurative language, not literal) upon returning to school on Monday. The energy of the kids was just so invigorating — all smiles and happiness and eagerness to be back at school. I found this so rejuvenating<\/strong> — moreso than my entire holiday — and was able to get past my “ugh” just a bit… and remember why I am in this profession in the first place. I heart being around kids so so so so<\/strong> much and I definitely get my energy from them<\/strong>. \ud83d\ude42<\/p>\n Tuesday:<\/p>\n Bombings in Boston<\/a>. What more can I say? Yes, there were deaths in Iraq<\/a>, Syria<\/a>, and probably North Korea<\/a> too… oh, and Venezuela<\/a>, after their elections. And probably several other countries. The USA is always on high alert, since 9\/11. I don’t think this will change before I wither away on this planet, quite honestly. I do wish we cared more about people in other places, too. Not to trivialize what’s happened in Boston — it’s horrible — but I just wish we could, as a people, as a human race, extend our empathy to those beyond what we know. Is that possible? Is that within the realm of possibilty for our species? <\/p>\n I am glad to know that my friends and their family who are in or from Boston are safe. But then there is a part of me that feels guilt about thinking that. What of all those thousands in Syria<\/a> who are not safe? What of the Palestinians who live with warfare every day<\/a>, and have for decades? What of the families trapped and ravaged by war and rape in the Congo<\/a>? People in Iran and Pakistan<\/a> who are suffering from an earthquake — and who had little infrastructure to begin with? How can we help these people? For a start — how can we genuinely care for these people? <\/p>\n I’m not exaggerating when I tell you that these questions haunt me. They keep me up at night. I feel like I need to do more. And I do more. I take action. But it’s not enough. It’s a vicious cycle that won’t end, and requires more balanced thinking on my part… <\/p>\n .. which is where yoga and meditation come in. It’s the only way I can make my peace with the world enough to live in it. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Monday: Despite not being too excited about the end of my holidays, I was surprised to discover a wee spring in my step (note: figurative language, not literal) upon returning to school on Monday. The energy of the kids was just so invigorating –… Continue reading