Finding Gems in the Midst of Adversity

With teacher strikes looming all around us, are you able to find something great?

As an adult, I am always learning. Here is my experience in a recent adventure. I hope it encourages you in your learning.

Life is an Adventure

I feel that I am at the peak of my career, and I want to make a significant contribution to society. So, off to New Zealand, we go to see the country the way the tourists do, travelling in a camper van. It is a fantastic experience that allows us to see this spectacular country and experience many highlights.

Along the way, I give a presentation at a teachers conference held in Christchurch. I meet a few like-minded, cutting-edge thought leaders and speakers. What a treasure!

Acceptance Allows Us to Move Forward

After 25 days in New Zealand, we fly back to Canada, and I get ready to lead two sessions at a large teachers’ conference in Alberta. My workshop is on social and emotional learning (SEL), a trending topic for sure.

I get up early for my full-day presentation and stand at the door, greeting teachers who are on their way to their morning sessions. I want a room full of teachers. One person arrives early, and we spend time getting acquainted. No one else comes.

At that moment, I make a conscious decision that it doesn’t mean anything. The room is empty, and it doesn’t mean anything. My participant and I have a great conversation, and after a few hours, we are done. I believe it is intended to be, and now I need to find out why I am here.

Searching for Gems

It is lunchtime. I go to the speaker’s lounge and look for people who want to talk. I get to know three coordinators of another large conference to be held a week later. We exchange information, and they encourage me to apply to speak at next year’s conference.

Then I find the head coordinator and ask her to put me to work to “earn my keep.” I tell her the situation, and we make a great connection. It turns out that our grandparents lived in the same small town in Holland, and our conversation continues in Dutch. How cool is that!

A NEW DAY

The next morning I get up early again. I am doing a half-day workshop on teaching social justice, another hot topic. This time no one shows up. I think it must be challenging to organize a conference for 12,000 people with almost 500 presenters spread over 6 venues. I will look for more gems.

I go back to the main conference des,k and the head coordinator greets me warmly. She says, “I have given your name to the person in charge of speakers for larger groups.” So next year I could be speaking for 500 people. Wow!

Applying What I Know

It is one thing to really know these SEL lessons in theory and another to apply them in my life. I consciously choose to implement them, and I am much more positive, less often disappointed, more courageous and feel more empowered. If I didn’t apply the lessons, I wouldn’t have discovered the gems.

What allows you to discover the gems?