A couple of weeks ago I posted something on the Instagram about how I had a week where I felt like I was underwater the whole time. You’ve had those weeks, right?

The ones where you are giving all that you’ve got but it doesn’t quite seem like enough? When your days are long and your nights are too? When despite feeling like you’ve done #ALLthethings, your husband isn’t happy, your kids aren’t happy, and you just can’t win?

Well, that was that week for me. So I had posted a lil’scripture that spoke to my heart, b/c that is what that space is for me. A place for sharing what speaks to me. I think I’ve shared this before, but quite a while ago, I was in a place and position that was not only toxic emotionally, but also professionally. I couldn’t see past the forest for the trees. Sharing a positive “happy” on FB (which then led to IG) made me feel better. It was a good “footprint” to leave but it also was a reminder that there is always something to be positive about.

Anywho, I had a teacher in the hallway who told me that she felt so much better after seeing my post, b/c it made her feel better about also feeling like she was drowning, and that she didn’t know I ever felt that way. 

Ya’ll. It stopped me dead in my tracks!

Those quotes I post each day speak to my heart, and are so directed at me…it just so happens that someone usually also feels impacted by it, but genuinely…I go back to that Zig Zigler quote that says “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” which is OH so true for me!  It then made me think about other things that I wish people knew that probably isn’t obvious from a quick social media scroll…

• I cry when I am stressed, it’s the go to emotion…which is super annoying, but doesn’t mean I am weak. 
• I worry that it actually does mean I am weak.
• Imposter syndrome…it’s a real thing.
• I once had a co-worker rebuff my attempt at asking a question b/c “I get paid to speak, why would I be asking her anything?”
• I can be a great mom, a great wife, and a great principal…but rarely at the same time. 
• I worry more than I should about what people think.
• I make really quick decisions.
• I hate working alone…and am so thankful to always have really great people around me, balancing out those quick decisions.
• I get ridiculously nervous in front of my district peers but am completely fine in front of an audience of 1000. 
• I don’t want to be average, ever. in anything.
•  I have a 5, 10, and 20 year plan. 
• I have trust issues. Please see #6.
• George Couros is like my edtech big brother…and without him…eek. I don’t even want to imagine who I’d call when I need, well, #allthethings.
• I have people I consider BEST friends…that I see every other year-ish. (When I was named principal, I called my husband…then conference called and Joe and Tony. We’d met IRL once.)
• I regularly can’t fall asleep at night, worrying about what I haven’t yet accomplished. 

All that to say…unless you KNOW someone…you don’t actually know them.

Making assumptions, or heaven forbid, judging someone if you’re not a part of their circle is not only unfair but also usually inaccurate. Most of us are just trying to be the very best we can be, and to do the very best we can.

Give grace friends…the world could use more grace.

Reflectingly &