Believe!
The power of belief is truly inestimable!
As teachers, especially, it is our greatest super-power. To believe in a child, in their potential and in their value has a more lasting and meaningful impact on their lives than any content we could ever get them to master and appreciate.
Times are tough right now though, and mustering up the power of belief is hard.
The pandemic has become like Kryptonite for teachers, and they feel like they have lost their power to do anything meaningful or effective.
So, how do we tap into that power of belief again?
I have visited many historical places in the past few years and learned a great deal more about our 26th President, Teddy Roosevelt.
He is the reason we have conserved much of our national heritage and our historical landmarks. We can thank him for our National Parks, all of which are near and dear to my heart.
I also have connections to him through teaching Spanish and taking students to Ybor City (near Tampa, FL). T.R., as he was fondly referred to, left from there with his Rough Riders to go up San Juan Hill and help Cuba win its independence from Spain.
He also looks very much like my brother. Not very notable, but, you know…
All of the above aside, there is one connection that I especially find endearing about T.R., and that is in the form of a quote:
“Believe you can, and you are halfway there.”
This has been one of my many mantras since I was a little child. It is a recurring theme in many many works of literature, popular movies and T.V. shows (like Ted Lasso)
It was a major theme and cheer in my classroom. Whenever anyone was struggling or needed encouragement, my students knew what was needed…a rousing cheer of “SI, SE PUEDE”!!! (Yes, you can!)
This is my wish for all teachers and students, and frankly, all human beings.
Believe in yourself. Believe in each other. Believe in the goodness/greater good of humanity.
Believe that you have done your best.
Believe that your students have learned something.
Believe that all is NOT lost, but that you still have many opportunities to make a difference.
Believe that everything will work its way out exactly as it should be.
Just BELIEVE…and you truly are halfway there!
Believe in impossible dreams (Don Quijote).
Believe there is always a way.
And that is how we get to hope.
Believe we are going to get out of this pandemic. Believe that all is not lost or hopeless and that there are lessons to be learned from all of what we have been through…and that with each of those lessons, we are becoming better and growing into a greater version of ourselves…ALWAYS!
Maybe we all need a Ted Lasso “BELIEVE” sign above our doors…the physical ones we pass through each and every day…and the imaginary ones we stand in front of with every choice we make.
After all, “opportunity” is related to the word “port” which means “entrance, pass, safe harbor”. It is also where the words for “door” come from in Spanish (la puerta) and French (la porte).
So, how do we get through anything difficult?
Just walk through that door and believe we can, and we are halfway there.
Inspirational song:
Believe by Shawn Mendes
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