I feel very out of breath in life right now. It seems like every time I cross one item off my To Do list, three more appear. I live in one of two states: frenzy or exhaustion. I love my work but it is tiresome. It is funny how life eggs you on just as you are about to call it a day. I love getting thrown a bone every once in a while. My work is beyond rewarding, but it is also one of the most frustrating experiences of my life. I feel like I see the kids in the caterpillar stage continually, but rarely see them turn into butterflies. Middle school is such a time of growth and change, a state of "not quite there yet." Every now and then, I see a flutter and it pushes me forward. I often wonder if I make a difference. I hope I do, but I may never know. I often reflect on the Starfish Story when I think of teaching:
The Starfish Story
Original Story by: Loren Eisley
One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.
Approaching the boy, he asked, "What are you doing?"
The youth replied, "Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don't throw them back, they'll die."
"Son, " the man said, "don't you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can't make a difference!"
After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish,
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said,
"I made a difference for that one."
and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said,
"I made a difference for that one."
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