“Change your thoughts and you change your world.”

Norman Vincent Peale

Change is difficult but if we continue to do what we’ve always done, we will continue to get what we’ve always gotten. If we as educators choose an attitude, a positive attitude, we could increase our own happiness. I believe we have chosen to be a part of a great profession-the profession of teaching. In this career you can be fulfilled, find great joy and sweet satisfaction. It can also challenge you, stretch you, frustrate you at times, and even you lead you to moments when you are tempted to give up.

Teaching is not easy…often times the thought of reaching that goal seems impossible, but it is worth all it requires. Every man or woman who has been given the opportunity to touch the future with teaching has had to face fear. We have had to have a sense of boldness—not run away or hide from it: face the situation, stand firm and meet it head on. We can’t be afraid to make mistakes-human don’t do everything right- we have to stop trying to be perfect. The mistakes and fear makes it possible for us to grow and overcome obstacles. It is at this point the difficult times when we realized where we need to be strengthened or changed. Remember weaknesses are never seen in good times but they show out in trying times.

The fear of failure is crippling because it can hold us back from acting on our desires, and it will hinder us from fulfilling our destiny. The fear of failing is nothing more than the fear we will not be able to do what needs to be done in a certain order or specific situation. This is true we think of doing something we have never done before. We are afraid we will fail, so we won’t try.

One has to learn to face the new situation, be excited that you have come to this place, where you have never been before. We need to go ahead and step out be courageous. Courage is not the absence of fear but the readiness to do what we have set out to do. Follow your heart not everyone will like what you do they will not follow, support or even encourage you; most of the time, the people who are upset with you for wanting to move on are those who do not go on themselves. Truly when we are confident and secure, the opinion of others cannot control us.

Change is a fact of life the more we fear and resist it, there is no growth and anything that is not growing is dead. Things are always changing, if we are not willing to change, we miss out on things. The fear of change could something wonderful from happening to you.

We will be known forever by the tracks we leave, embrace the challenge and begin your own legacy. On this winter break and whatever the season is for you—May I offer you a wish of health, happiness and success now and always!