It's interesting to read people's resolutions and reflections of a year to come and the year forever behind us. Me, being somewhat "teacher minded", saw the irony in this year...2020...20/20 vision is known as perfect vision. No glasses needed! I am going into this year...the final year of a decade (and yes, 2020 is not the beginning of a new decade, but the end of one) reflective and knowing that my moments of despair and brokenness were just moments of growth and opportunity leading down to the road of hope and renewal.
I am weeping with hope today. I look back at the last 10 years...not just one...and go "WHOAH Tiff...how did you get up and go? How did you get up and survive? And smile?"
2010 to 2019...another divorce...moving around a bunch...heartache that could have filled a stadium...lost friends...but still...I got up and kept going. I bought a house all on my own in 2016, finally giving me and my kids a place to call home...permanently. I finally followed my passion to teach...leaving a very lucrative sales job behind. I made tons of mistakes and cried a lot of tears...rivers, let me tell you! I look into the faces of my students...day after day...week after week...year after year and I know I did the right thing.
We are so quick to point out the faults when we look at ourselves. Mirrors don't lie, do they? But the voices in our heads often deceive us.
Grab a mirror...and look into your eyes...not anything else. Your eyes have seen things, processed things, cried, dreamed, and they have "smiled". We are imperfect people, but we have something that is always perfect. Our ability to love and forgive and move on. This ability is often shadowed or hindered by hurt and doubt, but once revealed, it is unstoppable.
My heart is beating again. My vision for me and for my children and for those that I love and care for is 20/20. Believe that good will happen and it will. Open your heart. And be the very best person you can every day.
