I was in the school drop-off lane before 5:30 this morning.
Yogurt and blueberries- with protein powder, because middle age.
God Bless the optimism we all bring into a new school year.
My daughter, and an impressive amount of her classmates, showed up for a before-dawn Senior Sunrise Breakfast.
My wife left a post-it note on the counter last night to remind herself to remind her two teen boys that it is school picture day… and I know I heard at least one of them mumble their plan to wear a collared shirt.
My son, in his first year of college, told me his plans to study at the library between classes every weekday.
And me? I’m eating yogurt. With blueberries.
I did 90% of my paperwork over the weekend so I’d be all caught up and ready to go this week.
I’m even wearing a button down shirt and a pair of grownup-looking pants I paid too much for on Stichfix… I think the tag even called them “Trousers.”
Because maybe this is the year I change things up and behave like a proper school leader.
As I was buttoning my shirt this morning, I noticed the voice in my thought bubble:
How long do you think this will last?
I didn't dignify her with an answer—because, honestly? This streak will probably only last until late September.
When my kids were little, I’d make them a thoughtfully packed lunch until September 20-something, and then they both became besties with the cafeteria staff.
I usually start a decent exercise plan and stick with it for about 5 weeks, until I get the back-to-school virus that makes me miss three days in a row and I (covert-gratefully?) quit.
I plan my social groups and morning meetings diligently for 6 weeks, but by the time the leaves have fallen, I’m sitting on a table, cross legged in jeans, preaching from my gut or heart- but never my notes.
And what if that’s all OK?
What if the effort- the trousers, the protein, and the plans- are what make us a tiny bit better version of ourselves, year over year? What if it’s the caring, and not the achieving, that moves the growth needle?