WATER - #OneWord202 - January 7, 2020

WATER

#OneWord2020

January 7, 2020

By, Michael Earnshaw

@mearnshaw158

In 2019, I chose to forgo resolutions and instead live by the #oneword phenomenon. I was excited about this new approach, but a little apprehensive. How could just one word bring me a fulfilled, joyful, 365 days? 

Throughout the last few weeks of 2018, I contemplated and pondered what #oneword I would hold in my heart throughout my relationship with 2019. This was an elephant sized decision for me, and I didn’t want to pick a word that wasn’t meaningful or brought unattainable goals. It wasn’t until January 8, 2019 that I had my #oneword2019.

The word that I lived by this past year was BELIEVE. Click the word to read it if you haven’t yet. 

I truly BELIEVED that my #oneword2020 would come much easier to me this year. It was now the second time I’d choose to live by #oneword, which basically makes me a semi-pro. To my unbelieving surprise, it was not any easier. In fact, #oneword2020 was much more difficult than I ever would have BELIEVED. 

For 2020, I wanted to choose a word that built off of 2019’s. 2019 was one of my best years professionally and personally. Dreams and goals that I have had since I was a young punk rocker, waxing up parking blocks at the corner bank after hours, grinding, railing, and blunt sliding over that block with our skateboards for hours on end Friday nights. I lived 2019 BELIEVING that I was going to break out of my comfort zone and make an impact in the world. I’m pleased to say that this has happened, but it’s only just the beginning.

WATER. This is my #oneword2020. I chose this word because I simply can’t just BELIEVE what I want to happen anymore. That part is over. Those dreams, those goals, have already begun to blossom. The seeds were planted in 2019. Now it’s time to feed them to watch them grow for years to come. 

WATER brings life. Seeds are planted. Trees, plants, flowers, crops, all need water to bloom into their full potential. Writing, podcasting, speaking are all seeds that begun in 2019. I BELIEVED I could do those, and do those I have very well. Now is the time to WATER those seeds, and witness them expand further, touch more educators than I ever imagined possible. 

WATER is strength. WATER can cut through rock. It can carry the heaviest of semi-trucks like they are weightless. I need to be the strength for my family. I need to advocate for my son, who has special needs. I need to be the protector of my daughter, to guide her to choose the right man that will treat her like the princess she is. I must be strong for my wife, carrying my weight and more so she is not overburdened with carrying our family.

WATER is persistent. It will continually flow if we allow it to. I cannot stop feeding my dreams and goals. I must not build a dam or turn the faucet to “off” when it comes to what I must accomplish personally, familial, and professionally. 

WATER takes on many forms. When the temperature drops, WATER transforms to ice. Heat and we have gas. Depending on the situation it is put in, WATER adapts. I must begin to more fluidly adapt to my situations. I cannot take the same approach with every individual and every conversation I enter. There will be fun situations and conversations as well as ones that are uncomfortable and difficult. To be the leader our staff and students deserve, and more importantly, the husband and father my family deserves, I must adapt and approach each season with the proper form. 

WATER is a symbol of health, of wellness. We must consume it daily to survive. It cleanses our bodies, both internally and externally. I must take my health seriously. I’m turning 40 this year. Long gone are the days when I can eat whatever I want and still think I can perform at a highly efficient level while running marathons, attempting a PR lift in the gym, leading and serving my staff and students, or just being an active dad and husband. It’s time to consume WATER to fuel my drive to reach my goals. 

I’m ecstatic for 2020. I know in every being of my body it is going to make those dreams I haven’t even had yet come true! My body is tingling with excitement just imaging what is to come! 

Or, it may be the 120 oz. of WATER I’ve consumed today. 

Cutting Lines - December 17, 2019

Cutting Lines

By, Michael Earnshaw

December 17, 2019

@mearnshaw158

Ever since my son could begin traversing our earth by his own two feet, we have made it a family tradition to visit the Winter Wonderfest held at Navy Pier. We’ve always loved spending time together, observing the various trees, and enjoying thrills and smiles on the attractions. My kids have now reached the age, and height, where they can enjoy every attraction! Tilt-A-Whirl, Hanggliders, Rock Walls, and even ice skating are what we get to do together, as a family. 

I’m a big believer in teachable moments. There are always opportunities that as parents we can teach our students about life. We can teach them about how to make good choices, spread kindness, and display empathy to others. Here’s a past blog I wrote about teaching my daughter about kindness.

Today was our annual trip to the Winter Wonderfest. We were already downtown for a doctor’s appointment for my son, so we decided to take the entire day and go early as a family, hoping to avoid the crowds. It wasn’t too bad, there were a few field trips, but it was mostly families with young kids. This left the “big” rides pretty open, usually only needing to wait a turn or two during the first hour and a half. 

After about two hours had passed in this man-made magical wonderland, crowds were now forming. Ride waits were now hitting the three to four turn rotation. Especially for “The Windchill”. “The Windchill” is the ride were thrill seekers sit in a row. The seat is attached to what resembles a large clock arm. The arm begins swinging upwards clockwise and then back counterclockwise. Eventually it will pick up enough momentum to make a complete 360 degree rotation. This rotation happens in the same direction roughly three times before beginning in the opposite direction for another three rotations again. 

My daughter was done and decided she was going to sit with mom while my son and I rode one last time. We patiently waited through four ride rotations. We were finally next, with only three young riders ahead of us and many behind. 

“Just go on through. Go under the chain. Stand right there.” were directions being given by someone standing in my vicinity. 

Before I could turn to see who was speaking these declarative sentences, there was a kid, no more than five years old, slowing going underneath the white plastic chain that creates a waiting line for the riders. This child would stick his legs under, then duck to push his head to our side, but then retreat. 

“Go on, just go up there!” was the next command given. 

I watched, confused by what was happening, and before my mind could process this scenario, he was right behind me, his small toes pushing through the soles of his shoes to hug my heel. The ride engineer opened the gate to let us in. This kid now tried to rush past my son. I put out my arm and said, “No, we’re first.” For my son, who has severe ADHD, to wait as long as he did, no one was going to take his end seat or get on before him that didn’t wait. 

This kid got on the same ride rotation as us. I enjoyed my ride with my son, hearing his laughter and seeing his smile, arms up, holding onto nothing the entire time. 

After we got off and reunited with my wife and daughter my mind began working. 

How can we, as educators, compete with the teachable moments that parents are providing to their kids?

Many parents are doing an amazing job despite the demands and responsibilities they are faced with. But unfortunately, there are some that will teach their child to cut to the front of the line, despite everything they learn from us in school. 

Do we just throw our hands up and not even take on that fight? No, absolutely not. We must continue to teach our expectations not only for school, but for life every chance we get with our students. We can only hope that our lessons will have a lasting impact and when our students are parents themselves, they will teach the right lesson to their children.