BUSY, NEVER BORED By Terri White

BUSY, NEVER BORED
By Terri White
 
“Are you busy, Terri?” 
“Naw, my life is easy-street.  Never a care with little to do,” I reply sarcastically. 
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A wise lady once stated that while she planned her neighborhood July 4th festivities, she was a bit stressed and super busy – but never bored!

Similarly, my life is a bit stressful and super busy, but never boring. I’ll take “never boring” any day. Stress comes with life.  No avoiding it.  However, how we handle it determines the quality of our lives.
Staying busy keeps me sane.  But don’t let that fool you.  I still enjoy lollygagging in my porch with a good book. That daily dose keeps me balanced. Otherwise, life overwhelms me.

Usually, busyness arrives in waves.  In spring, the wind doesn’t just blow in pollen; it carries all of the end-of-the-school-year tasks:

• interviewing and hiring new teachers
• updating online documents
• advertising for classes
• preparing for school programs and exams
• school tours for prospective students
• planning and hosting school registration
• phone calls, texts, emails

 
All the while untangling various issues.  All the while nurturing my relationships with students, teachers, and parents. It’s a whole smorgasbord of complicated, but it all keeps me sharp, engaged – and happy.  Often I wake up thinking of one more task, so I climb out of bed to write myself a note; otherwise, it keeps me awake. Once written, my brain relaxes, freeing it up to snooze – until the next task wiggles its way to the front. Such is my life.

Even throughout the summer, I keep up with ongoing registration tasks. Then, when August arrives, I gear up for school.  Communicating with parents, students, and teachers is key.

I start with teacher meetings and a parent orientation to review our policies. On campus, I help new students navigate their classes, ease their transition, and work through any problems. Sometimes a class proves a poor fit for a student, so we find another one.  Sometimes students want to add more classes – always a joy. Sometimes learning differences surface, so I address those issues with the parents and teachers. Sometimes new teachers need help adjusting to our learning environment; I’m happy to assist. 

If you find me at my desk scrolling on my phone or at my laptop, trust me, I’m working.
When teachers approach me about offering new classes or making changes to their current classes, I’m all in. Why not? They are experts in their fields and here to meet the needs of our students.
Bottom line: communication, communication, communication.  My life in a nutshell. And I love it. Reaching out to meet needs, in whatever form, is why I wake up every morning. 

However, let’s be real. Some days I want to pull out my hair, stay in bed, or escape. Some days I don’t feel like being a nice person. Some days. Not all days.  In fact, only a few days. Because most days are filled with joy.

Recently, my teachers presented me with a lovely card of appreciation and a gift. Then our T.E.A.C.H. moms surprised me with a gift basket. The best part? The Dr. Seuss book, "Oh, the Places You Will Go", signed by all the students and teachers. Where do I want to go? I want to continue on this great T.E.A.C.H. adventure for as long as I can.

Nevertheless, no matter how busy I am with T.E.A.C.H., my family relationships remain #1. I have determined to be available to them regardless of my busy schedule. Visits with the grandkids, pedicures and discussions with my daughter, girl-time activities, chats with my sons, grandkids’ sporting events, outings with the entire family, or gathering in our home for the holidays. Every moment proves precious.  Then don’t forget a bit of fun with friends and dancing with my honey – the icing on the cake.

When do I find time for writing?  I squeeze that in as the muse strikes. Although occasionally the muse leaves me high and dry, most often I’m flooded with ideas.  Whichever season, I go with the flow and enjoy the process. 

Busyness: the warp and weft of my life. The alternative? Boredom.  I’ll take busy over boredom any day.