Wisdom for When You Are Weary

From Kristin...

For my friends in North and South Carolina (hey y'all!) or anyone else who's heard me present lately, this story may feel a bit familiar. But sometimes Facebook memories serve up something worth sharing -- and that was definitely the case for me today.

A couple of years ago, I went out for what I had hoped would be a brisk walk with the dog, and my (at the time) second grader asked to come along. And as I had secretly predicted, she got tired not 20 minutes in.

I was instantly irritated because I had some kind of fitness tracker goal to reach. I'm sure I was cheering her on -- for my benefit, not hers. "Your legs are so strong! You can do it! This hill is nothing!"

Her reply to my insincere pep rally was simple.

"I am going to walk."

While I could feel my irritation rising at this whole waste of an outing, I suddenly realized her wisdom, and it hit me deep. So much that I slowed my racing, irritable brain, and I even took a photo and shared it later.

I have no recollection of whether I met my fitness tracker goal that day. But I walked away with some newfound wisdom that I continue to share to this day.

When things get to be too much in your day -- the hill too steep, the legs too tired, the pace too fast, the path too long -- what do you do?

(And in case you haven't noticed, this happens a lot in school PR.) .

• Do you keep pushing pushing pushing, even when your body and brain are telling you to take a break?

• Do you delight in being unbreakable, or soar with the best of the adrenaline junkies?

• Do you silently repeat to yourself that nobody else in the office has your superhuman powers?

• Do you tell yourself that you'll feel better if you do a few more things (and then wonder why you don't)?

Next time this happens during your work day, I challenge you to get off the bike on the hill for a few minutes.

• You could take a few breaths.

• Eat lunch.

• Stretch your legs and arms.

• Take a five-minute walk.

• Close your eyes for a short meditation or prayer.

• Go for a short, quiet drive.

• Or do anything that helps your body and brain slow down and recover for a few precious minutes.

Chances are, that hill with the bike will still be there when you get back -- like it or not. But giving yourself a moment to rest will help you climb it with more strength and skill than you had before.

Thanks for being part of the #k12prWell conversation!

Shawn & Kristin

Shawn McKillop, APR | @ShawnMcKillop on Twitter

Kristin Magette, APR | @kmagette on Twitter