DO EVERYTHING BETTER

Yes, I shouted the title of this post.

After I posted about how my mom buys me books, she mailed me some books.  Amazing how that works.

The first one I received, and the first one I picked up, is Bittersweet by Shauna Niequist. I really need to meet Shauna.  Almost every word in the book feels painfully familiar.  I will probably have posts to write about this book, but for today, it's about priorities.

Shauna writes, "The grandest seduction of all is the myth that DOING EVERYTHING BETTER gets us where we want to be..."  And, oh, how I fall into that trap, on daily basis, really.  I look at my list of things to accomplish, my areas where I need to improve, my weaknesses, my challenges and failings.

The only clear solution?

DO EVERYTHING BETTER.

We have already established that I cannot find an easy solution to my feelings of overwhelming panic.

So?

I will DO EVERYTHING BETTER.

Except. No.

I can't.

I have stretched my time and talents to the max, and I have nothing better left to give.

DO LESS.

I look at my middle school students, struggling under the demanding weight of the curriculum I implemented. I am responsible when they drown under the weight of a project's details, when their presentations lack...quality.  I tell them they must bear the responsibility, but then I look at what I've designed and determine that I need to...DO EVERYTHING BETTER.

I can't.

I can't just do it all and better.

I will do less.

I will design projects with far fewer fancy trappings, with the hope that my students will learn more.

I will simplify holiday presents, with the hope that my family and friends truly believe that the thought really does count.

I will breathe more and worry less.

And, in the end, maybe it will all turn out better.

Here's hoping.