You're either stepping into the end, or the beginning

​Our education system is under a lot of pressure. There's teacher burnout, student mental health challenges, unrealistic expectations; the list goes on.

In my work, I hear that list and more all the time.

It can feel dire, especially as a dad of two teens in that education system. Especially has a human who cares deeply about this generation and the next.

It can feel dire, that is, until you sit in the midst of folks who are deeply invested in that system. You sit with them and hear them talk about improving, not escaping.

I had the privilege of presenting to a group of educators last night who are part of a local school system. They've come together as a cohort of school educators and support staff committed to gaining a deeper understanding of what it means to be a trauma informed school system.

There were about 20 of them. They've committed to meet every Tuesday from 4:30-7:00 to give and receive education about trauma informed care.

Other than a break this summer, they will do this all year.

It struck me as I was sitting there, these folks raced from a long day of leading a classroom or supporting students in classrooms to sit for 2 1/2 hours in a classroom of their own. And yet, they didn't look like people exhausted from the day, they looked energized by the opportunity to be there.

I've come to believe, in a most general way, that there are two kinds of living. There is living one step closer to the end, or one step into the beginning.

I confess, I spent a fair amount of my life stepping into the end. It's a life of coasting, expecting the worse, always plotting an escape, and believing the end might just be the best part of the whole stinking story.

That is not the today me, though. The today me believes each day is a new step into the beginning. Life is always beginning. Which means there is always something to learn to better prepare you for the next step into the beginning.

Little energizes that way of living more than hanging out with people who are also stepping into new beginnings. And getting the chance to feed life into them.

What struck me most about these educators last night, all of them coming from different schools and different positions, is there was no venting. When it could have turned into a who has it worst session, they all turned it into a who can encourage each other best session.

I've come to know, when I get these chances to speak I'm going to contribute something. I'm sure of that. But I am even more sure that something bigger will be contributed to me.

That was certainly the case last night.

Sometimes things feel dire. Maybe they are. But there are usually some folks who believe that, although dire, the story isn't over.

Find those people.

Sit with them.

And discover you aren't meant to be taking steps into the end. You are meant to live steps into the beginning.

Today, live those steps.