Until the Bell Rings

Regret is monster you can't let grab hold of you. In the season one finale, I talk about learning from the mistakes we make, and making the choice to move onward and upward. And it all starts with knowing that you are worthy and capable.

Diversity can be tricky. If executed properly - with inclusion in mind - it is a beautiful thing. On the other hand, it can also be used in an exploitative manner. In today's episode, I discuss my own personal experience with trying to navigate diversity at a Catholic high school, and all that comes along with it.

In today's episode, I talk about the importance of seeing, and accepting yourself for who you truly are. Not just all the ways in which you are beautiful (infinitely so), but also the things that are not so pretty, the things we would rather others not know. There is freedom in, not just knowing your shortcoming, but embracing them. There is also a lot compassion to be found in that space - for yourself and for others.

Y'all, I'm over here feeling like I turned a literal hurricane into a metaphorical masterpiece! 

Today's episode is about making choices and standing behind them. It's about recognizing that we all do the best we can in the moment, even if in hindsight, we look back and can't figure out what the heck we were thinking.

You have to be willing to make a move. Uncertainty is a part of life, which can be scary. But if you can't be certain that the outcome will be good, you also can't be certain that the outcome will be bad. Maybe the odds be ever in your favor!

People can never believe that I actually ENJOY teaching teenagers, but they don't realize how loving high school students can be when given the space to do so. When you allow people the space express all of themselves, they will surprise with how much of what they want to express is beautiful. 

Mr. Charles, this one is for you!

The most surprising thing I learned about myself when I became a teacher, is that I like to talk about the uncomfortable topics. I recognize how beneficial it is to have these discussions with young people, and the value of these conversations compels me to dive right in. 

And in today's episode, I do just that.

A reminder to young people to pursue your dreams openly, and honestly, without shame. And a reminder to everyone who cares for young people to fall back, and let them. 

Life is wonderful and amazing and exhilarating and it’s not. It can be confusing and disappointing and lackluster.  It's complicated. That is just life – at every age. Let's talk about that with the younger generation, so they aren't anxiously waiting the arrival of their own personal enlightened era. 

There are so many topics we (as a society) are encouraged to stay away from, in order to avoid conflict. But if we do that, if we refuse to talk about the difficult stuff with young people, we put them at a disadvantage. Today's poem was inspired by conversations about colorism, not only how my students perceive it, but how it impacts them on a personal level.

Families move all the time, and in today's poem, a students tells me that his family is moving...without him.