I wish to end this year in the way I will continue ahead… with courage, vulnerability and a wee bit of sass. ;-)
2023 has been hard… for many…me included.
Weather events
2023 has seen some major weather events that have not only affected the environment but have had some major human-centred repercussions.
The devastating floods in Northland, Auckland, Napier, Hastings and Gisborne have brought together both the worst and the very best of humanity. At our best selves, we rallied to support our fellow humans in whatever means we were able… all of which felt so inadequate in relation to the devastation…and yet we gave.
I distinctly remember speaking with leaders in Napier-Hastings that I continued to work with over this time. The trauma experienced by all of their students, staff and school communities over this time continues to have ripples into their lives today. After 3 years of covid-related stop-starts, 2023 was supposed to be the year of promise, they have shown huge tenacity and belief to come through these times.
My desire for them is that 2024 brings them hope and light.
Gaps or Gold
We all know that there are times when things feel really hard. It can feel as though there must be a better place or space to operate within. Believe me, I have done my own soul-searching this year. Is it worth the 5-6 nights a week away from home? Is it worth the multiple hats I wear? Is it worth the uncertainty that governments place on our future?
And yet, I always come back to my Why. I am dedicated to ensuring that every child is able to access learning and love in their learning environment. I know that home is not always a place they access it from. I hope that through my mahi, children and their teachers see their gold.
It is easy to look for what's not there. What you would love to have, or people to be, or your workplace to offer. But I know that what you focus on is what you see. You are the maker of your own destiny. If you wish to see the gold and embrace the opportunities within that, then the world can open to you. And so I choose gold. I choose to support people to see their own gold.
What is your choice for 2024?
Team
I have THE most incredible team of humans around me.
The Momentum Learning Team of Lennie, Sandy, Donna and Ripeka bring energy, commitment, professionalism and experience. Together we are a small, but hugely powerful team who make a marked difference to those we partner with. We each have our zones of expertise, yet support each other to be the best we can be. We care for and awhi each other both professionally and personally. I am privileged to work alongside such mana wahine toa.
Who is your support team heading into 2024?
Our Touchstone
Just like childbirth, you can have all the support people you like around you, but ultimately it is up to you. You need to push through the incredible pain to reach a new level of being.
Every day we are challenged, some are more difficult than others. There are times when we may be challenged to serve others at the expense of self, release our beliefs over what is popular, compromise our values for what is expected, and make calls that rock us to our very core.
In ancient times, a touchstone was used as a tohu, a guide for what was real and true.
Holding true to yourself through difficult times can be hard, but I think it is in the micro-moments that we build our supporting muscles for the heavy lifting when it is required of us. It's the microscopic pieces of sand and minerals that make the touchstone that create its strength. We too can create our own touchstone through our daily actions and choices.
Love
I wish to finish my final blog of 2023 with the following quote from leadership author and ex-soldier, Jim Kouzes and his colleague Barry Posner,
"The secret to success in life is to stay in Love."
When we stay in Love, we see goodness,
When we stay in Love, we see hope.
When we stay in Love, we see each other.
And when we stay in love,
We receive it in return.
Live in the moment, treasure your now. Tomorrow will come.