“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith and hope.”  ~Thomas Merton

What do you do when you feel as dry as a brittle twig.  Even my blogging feels like it could snap into pieces under my foot.

Many of you know we were moving this week.  Moving has gone smoothly and there’s only a bit of unpacking, organizing, setting up, and cleaning left to do.  But, you know…it’s tiring.

What gives you courage?  What blows the cool breeze of relief into your soul?  What moves you towards thriving?

For me, Learn Forward is a way of making meaning of my world.  I can use it to zero in on what is most important to me, for the sake of the children.

A quick list of what gave me courage this week:

1.  BELONGING

Belonging is when our friends visited for an epic two days of connecting, relaxing, indulging, exercising, and fun adventures.

Belonging is also standing in the aisle of the store laughing hysterically with The Builder at the zaniness of it all!

2.  FAITH

I experienced faith amidst the moving boxes when I was holding hands with G and spontaneously saying a little prayer for our sweet girl serving in Haiti.

Then, days later, hearing her strong and vibrant voice from Haiti on the other end of the phone line became pure gratitude.

3.  CHANGEMAKING

We are still committed to changemaking.  Our Niteo Africa leadership is working together to get the next 987 boxes of children’s books through customs and released into Uganda.

4.  SELFHOOD

The Learn Forward book serves us!  It is a slice of my heart.  I reread the acknowledgements this week.  I have such beautiful people in my life!  Also, the workbook at the end continues to inspire me.  It will really help of us as parents and teachers take a deep dive into each of these five journeys.

5.  WORTHINESS

There is still time to be alone in the early hours, to breathe, journal, and surrender.  It is in my quiet places, with my soul bared open, that I experience worthiness.

As a Learn Forward community, we can embrace the possibilities and challenges of this present moment with courage and a sense of the possibilities!  Even in the brittle places.

Where are there possibilities for us to water our souls?  How can we have the courage to be gentle and self-compassionate?  What are the practices we are implementing that model boldness, even in the brittle places?

Throughout this week. I wish you the courage to enjoy the children and connect bravely at the Table of Learning.

For the sake of the children,

Karine