From my observation of people, we all have one.  I call mine, "Pandora's Box".  Original, I know, I know. You are really impressed.  But seriously, it is that box within us that hides what we don't want others to see.  We crack it open, maybe, with those we deeply trust.  All the while, hoping, praying, holding our breath as to their reaction.  Will they laugh, scoff, downplay, overshadow, or slam the lid back shut with the clear message never to open it their presence again?  Or will they listen, show compassion, empathize, simply listen?  If we open the box, will they even know what to do with us now?

I wonder this morning what is hiding in your box, who do you trust and who trusts you?  Our boxes are full of things like jealousy, pride, hurt, anger, fear and sadness.  Who can help you look into your box and who can you help open their box?  Trust and be trustworthy.  We need each other. 

There is a difference between holding a position of leadership and actually leading because you have the position to do so.  This is the end of my 27th year of teaching and being in a district that has a rather revolving door of both building and central office leadership, I have noticed a thing or two.

The difference between leaders and status quo keepers has huge implications for an organization.  I have worked under both.  Leaders have a vision and they push forward, keeping the leadership under them well informed and well trained.  They know their why and they work to figure out the how.  As Jim Collin's famous quote says, "Having the right people on the bus."  

But what happens when the right people are on the bus but the driver doesn't really have a plan for where they are going?  Frustration, anger, resentment, division begins to set in.  They thought they were part of a team or at the very least felt they were once a part of a team, but then...something happens.  The driver changes, loses focus, gets complacent or distracted, or the facade finally fades.  Good under leaders still have the enthusiasm to carry forth the work they had committed to, but slowly isolation sets in. While some may decide to get off at the next bus stop, others simply hunker down for the ride, hoping Siri begins to call out directions.  

Leadership is not easy.  It is complicated and risky.  But without a vision, it is pointless.  Everyone will end up somewhere, but they have no idea when they have arrived, if they are off course, close to the finish line, nothing.  Leaders must know their why and as a team work out the how.  

TED Talks--love them!  Was listening to ​Linda Cliatt-Wayman (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe2nlti47kA) and her slogan of "So What...Now What..." has stuck with me.  

So what, now what.  Hummm.  How many times do I make excuses, really ligament excuses, as to why this or that can't be changed, helped, turned around, etc.?  Rhetorical question, but if someone were secretly counting I am sure to be well into the tens of thousands.  Everything from little daily decisions, like my scale says I am a bit too chunky these days but...I am now over 50....I will eat better tomorrow...I look just like my mom...I am sure it is the medicine.... To much more influential decisions like as to why not all children in my classroom were prepared for the next step...cause there are just too many to help... I am doing the best that I can... if they would just come knowing....  Embarrassed, but fully admit that I have said all of these things...and more.

So what...they are coming to me with these needs...Now what am I going to do about it?  Thankfully education is moving from I to we.  I can not meet the needs of 20+ children effectively, but as a team we can.  Together we can fill learning gaps, together we can meet social/emotional needs, together we can be there for each other.  So what...now what.  Together, we can and will.

Our oldest daughter is beginning to discover that there is a whole world outside of her world.  Her 20 years of life have taken her many places, some of which she is now studying with a new found curiosity .  

Waco is her latest investigation.  I had to smile as she is doing her best to look at the event from different view points. She is beginning to more fully grasp that leadership decisions can have serious consequences.  But what caught my attention the most was her statement as she talked to her older friend.  He was just a boy at the time and as she said, "I wasn't even a thought yet."

I remember Waco from my dining room floor as I finished college work and applied for jobs.  But as I think of today, Covid 19, hopefully, will be something my grandchildren only have to ask me about.  "Grandma, do you remember when...."  I can't help but wonder how decisions being made today, from world leaders to community officials to individual households will and already are affecting those that aren't even a thought yet.      

As is the morning routine, I let out our two dogs,  a German Shepherd and Lapoo (think really cute dust mop). They have their normal potty spots and usually run right to them, but not today.  Cara's nose hit the ground, her entire back fur went up and she instantly traced the scent to a spot in the yard.  Sam was right on her heels, fast as his little legs could take him.  But then our cat, Mittens, AKA Black Widow, was also acting strange.  She was not acting like it was her own fresh kill in the yard, something had her riled, too.  Needless to say, my sense of smell didn't pick up a single thing, for which I am thankful!  Ugggg...

But what struck me was their innate ability to pick up a scent of something, Cara obviously interpreted it as danger and fearlessly track it down.   Sam instantly followed.  Mittens...being a cat...took the leery approach, eyes wide, looking, yet searching for cover.  Is not that us also?  While we may not physically smell danger, we sense it.  As individuals, as friends, as parents, as caretakers.  There is something within us that deeply desires for all the world to be "right."  When our sense of danger is triggered, we instantly go into protective mode. 

I wonder today, what is is setting off your "sense of smell?"  What are you tracking down to make right?  What are you protecting your loved ones from?  What are you highly sensitive to?  We long for the world to be made right again.  What wrong are you fearlessly fighting against?