Opportunity

2018 came in with wonderful memories. My family spent New Year’s Eve in Indianapolis, starting new traditions that we will continue for years to come. Our love of sports finished the year, with a Colts game and Pacers game, then a late night "snack" at Steak n’ Shake before the Indy car dropped in below zero temperatures. We had a blast, and 2018 came in while I was hanging out with my favorite people in the world, those who will always be there, through thick and thin.

For the past few years, I have followed in the footsteps of great leaders and educators, setting One Word to guide my path for the year, giving me a focus instead of a resolution. Last year was a year of ups and downs, and in some instances, the downs got the best of me for periods of time. This year, while we all experience ups and downs, I want those downs to become something positive for me, not become negative defining moments.

This year, I have struggled to narrow my One Word. I thought about the word, Hope. Hope for those around me, hope in all that surrounds us. But it just didn’t feel right in my current state.

Rejuvenate sat with me for a while. A good word, one I truly need to reflect more on and follow through with in order to be my best for others. But I did not want to define my year with rejuvenation.

And then it hit me. While standing in sub-zero weather close to midnight on New Year’s Eve, everything around us is filled with opportunity. With my family huddled together, counting down, this was a great opportunity for memories, new traditions. We could have focused on the cold or how tired we all were, but we focused our attention on the opportunity of the memories we were making together. The word Opportunity resonated.

And so, for 2018, it is all about opportunity.

Our opportunity to make the best of every situation.

Our opportunity to build great opportunities for kids.

My opportunity to support my staff in their work and endeavors to grow themselves.

My opportunity support our students through their creative and innovative learning adventures.

My opportunity to learn, grow, and delve into my strengths as a leader.

My opportunity to be a mom and wife for my family, being present for them when I’m with them.

My opportunity to take a look at who I am and where I want to be in order to build more and better opportunities for our kids.

Opportunities are all around us. It is up to us whether we take those opportunities for the better and run with them. We can focus on the negative, or we can focus on the opportunity where we can make things better.

I want to embrace opportunities this year, making the most of each one that comes my way, my family’s way, or my school’s way. This year, I seek those opportunities and hold on to them for the betterment of those around me, as well as find those opportunities that will continue to push me as a leader.