Lowering the Volume

As I have been reflecting on the past year, it has occurred to me how very loud life has become. One might think that I am used to being surrounded by noise (I am, after all, a middle school band director), but I find that the mental clutter of life has become a huge distraction for me. News media, social media, politically passionate people - all clamoring for my attention. New directives regarding how I teach, planning for the unknown with imperfect information, personal anxieties - all adding new stresses each day.

On top of all this, the past year has been full of grief. We are all facing losses we have not been prepared to process. We have lost friends and family members to COVID. We have had to let go of some hopes and dreams. We are tired, we feel overworked, we feel unappreciated. Just when we feel we have a better handle on life, things seem to begin spiraling all over again.

Times are difficult for all of us. The constant noise we are surrounded by daily is making it worse. So, for now, I am making the decision to reduce the volume. I am choosing to stop listening to alarms and start looking for opportunities. I am choosing to engage with my students and making sure they are heard and seen. I am creating some space between me and the media through the use of the mute button. I am choosing to take time for meditation and prayer. I have decided to tune out the earthquake and fire for a while so I can listen for the still, small voice.

I still want to change the world, but I am reminded that changing the world is accomplished by changing one life at a time. I’m going to focus on changing my life and working to impact the lives of those closest to me first.