July 1.
It’s the day I began my TEFL course two years ago. It’s my sister and brother-in-law’s wedding anniversary (Happy Anniversary, love you both!). It’s the traditional start of summer vacation here in the Czech Republic. It’s Canada Day. Ordinarily, NHL general managers celebrate the occasion by throwing preposterous contracts at free agents, but this year, we have the Stanley Cup Final (which will be a four-game snoozefest ending in another Cup for the Lightning) instead. Thanks, COVID.
Wedding anniversaries and boring hockey aside, the most symbolic meaning of July 1 is that it marks the halfway point of the year. Six months down, six months to go. The New Year’s resolutions of many people are long gone by this point. I’ll admit that I’m part of that majority. Six months ago, I sat in an Airbnb in Ceske Budejovice (a very nice city, by the way) and made some resolutions. I proceeded to follow none of them. Believe me, it’s a HUUUUUUUGE regret (RIP Billy Fuccillo).
Living with regret is no way to live, so what can we do about this? I have an idea so innovative that it puts 3D printing to shame.
Drumroll, please…my idea is:
Make new ones.
Yes, six months is not a year, but it’s still more than enough time to concentrate on self-improvement. It’s not too late to make 2021 a year of meaningful personal growth.
What qualities can I bring to the table for the final six months of the year? What things can I do to ensure that I’m being the best version of myself?
As a game show aficionado, I say we make this fun and play a little game of Wheel of Fortune. The category is person. There are four letters in the puzzle. Let’s spin the wheel.
Okay, Pat, is there an M, please?
Yes! One M.
If we were just putting the M up there and spinning the wheel again, there would be no point to writing this post. We’re digging deeper. Let’s pick a second-half goal that starts with M. Actually, I’m going to cheat here and pick two words, but the terms are fairly intertwined, so I’m OK with it.
Meditation and mindfulness.
This place right here is a wonderful place to meditate.
I started meditating several months ago and got on a pretty good roll with it for a while. However, as life got busy and I had to navigate constant changes, I slacked off. Not anymore. I need to start the day with a clear and fresh mind, especially as I begin a new job where patience will be required, not only with the students, but with myself. Don’t be alarmed, but I’ve also been dealing with chest pains lately. No, I’m not having a heart attack. It’s honestly nothing major, just my anxiety…and a lack of mediation. Breathe in, breathe out. Feel the energy.
Time to use that energy to spin the wheel. Wait, no…I’d like to buy a vowel, Pat.
Is there an I? Yes! One I.
Which words start with I? My first thought was inspirational because I want to do a better job of motivating others to do their best in everything they do. But I’ve used that one before, so let’s try…
Imaginative.
Be more imaginative…like the person who somehow got this blue thing in this tree.
This new job and my old job both involve teaching. That’s about where the similarities end. I far well know that what worked with adults is not going to work with children. You can’t push a round peg into a square hole. I’m going to need to come up with new lessons that are even more fun and engaging than those I’ve grown used to teaching. I may even have to try some new teaching methods. Most of all, these young men and women need to learn in creative and memorable ways. If I use my imagination, it will inspire them to use theirs. So see, we can still be inspirational after all…
Time to spin again. The wheel lands on a big money square!
Pat, I’d like a K.
Yes! One K.
This goal is an easy one.
Kindness.
Be kind, just like Christ teaches us.
I need to be kinder to others. In addition to being the best teacher I can be, I need to be the best son, brother, uncle, and friend that anyone can ask for. That starts with kindness (and empathy). I have to be there for my family and friends in both good times and bad. Ensuring that I always say and do the right things will go a long way as well. I also have to be kinder to myself and practice self-care. In addition to the aforementioned meditation, I need to get back to exercising regularly. I’m also toying with the idea of treating myself to a beach vacation this summer, but the Delta variant and my bank account may have something to say about that. Lastly, I want to do a better job with random acts of kindness, whether that’s checking in on a friend (it’s CRITICALLY IMPORTANT to check in your loved ones during these times which test everyone’s mental health), holding the door open for a stranger, or dropping a few crowns into the hat of a homeless person. Random acts of kindness truly make the world a better place.
Okay, Pat, I’d like to buy another vowel. An E, please.
Yes, there is one E in the puzzle. Vanna, turn it over.
Instead of using empathetic for the eight millionth time (although being empathetic will never not be important), I’m going to go a bit outside the box for this one…
Eco-friendly
There’s empathetic….and then there’s just pathetic, like this artwork I prepared for my Earth Day-themed demo lesson.
The hiring process for my new job required me to teach a demo lesson. Since it was the end of April at the time, the theme was Earth Day. As I was preparing the lesson, I realized that I really don’t do a good job of taking care of my planet. I take long showers and baths. I’m inconsistent with my recycling habits. I hardly ever reuse plastic bottles or plastic bags. I leave lights on when they don’t need to be on or have my computer on the charger when it’s fully charged.
This is unacceptable. We only get one planet, and it would be quite a big problem if we lost it. I really need to quit doing the things I mentioned above and just need to stop and think before I throw away something. It’s time to be more earth-conscious because it will extend the life of our planet and many of the things we love about it.
Pat, I’d like to solve the puzzle.
Go ahead!
MIKE.
Pat needs me to be a little more specific.
Meditation and mindfulness, imagination, kindness, and a commitment to being eco-friendly.
That’s right!
What do I win? No, it’s not a vacation to Tahiti. It’s something even more important–a chance to change my own life and the lives of others for the better.
To anyone who is reading this, please hold me accountable. Now that it’s in writing, I can’t get away from it. I’m also very open to any suggestions anyone has!
The first half of 2021 was up and down. But we came away with a slight lead and have a critical second half ahead of us. I can either be a success story, like the Chicago White Sox, or a disappointment, like the New York Yankees.
I don’t like the Yankees. So that leaves only one option:
Be a success story.
Czeching Out the World of TEFL 