How many of you love swimming, enjoy the ocean, or can’t wait to get into the pool? Or how many of you can’t stand getting wet, avoid the beach, or simply don’t know how to swim? If you belong in either of those categories, this is for you! Why? Because I’m actually not going to talk to you today about swimming. (Although I would have to admit that I am in the first category.)
Today we’re going to be talking about diving, but not into water. We’re going to talk about how we all need to:
Try Something New
The summer is a perfect time for trying out the new! Extra time plus extra creative teachers equals amazing new opportunities! Now, I know that the extra time will be spent with family, part time jobs, or on vacation but I really want to encourage you to find a new skill, hobby, or interest that you could get involved in. Why? Because hobbies give us all a much needed balance during these summer months.
Let me share a short story with you about when I was off balance. Being in Christian ministry, my pastor, as my boss, always had an open door policy for the workers if we needed advice. I remember once when I went into his office to discuss a situation that I was trying to handle on my own and realized that I just needed to get his input on it. At the end of our long discussion, after we had figured out a resolution to the problem, he looked me straight in the eyes and simply asked, “Do you have any hobbies?”
“Do I have any hobbies,” I thought. “Why of course I do! Do I? Yeah…sure. I think I do.”
It’s actually quite embarrassing how I mumbled through some of my hobbies, but couldn’t clearly recall the last time I had participated in any of them. “Um, yes. I like writing, knitting…and anything that involves crafts,” I answered. Although the answer was sufficient, the question seemed to haunt my thoughts as I left the building, “Do I have any hobbies? What do I do with my spare time? What are my interests and passions outside of teaching?“
At the time, I didn’t completely understand why such a question would be asked and why it seemed to bother me that I didn’t have an answer. Then I realized: Oh no! I’m off balance! My pastor was able to see right through me. He was asking me if I had any hobbies or interests because he noticed that I was spending way too much time in the classroom. I was so concerned with the needs of others and of my students that I was neglecting taking time out for my own growth and interests. How many of you have done that before? Made so much time for work that you forget about the world around you? Leave for work early and get home late? Yeah…that was me.
From that question on (I mean moment on), it was one of my goals to dive into some of my previous, favorite, and some new hobbies. I dove into drawing, played around with sketching, and enjoyed curling up with a book. I swam around with the thought of baking, immersed myself in hand lettering/sign making, and practiced some painting. I had decided to surface from business and submerge myself into balance.
Are you off balance? Do you have any hobbies? If not, the summer is the perfect time to find one! Dive into writing, play around with cooking, get into sports, or enjoy creating masterpieces. You’ll be so thankful that you did! It gives you time to relax, have fun, and learn something new.
Take the time to dive into the new. Immerse yourself in discovery and creativity and enjoy the swim!
Teaching Creativity 