Counselor’s Corner Issue 20

My teachers (that's right, I learn from YOU daily),

Two weeks ago, following a half-foot snow-dump, my husband and I grabbed our newly ordered snow-brick-maker (thank you, Amazon, for your one-day shipping to gift us snow toys!) and dawned our winter wear. Using the piles of shoveled snow on either side of the driveway, we each built individual snow fortresses. Jason, who is much more meticulous than me, carefully leveled the foundation and then stacked his snow bricks alternately, making sure to pack them hard in the mold prior to forming his structure. I, on the other hand, aimed for quantity over quality, hastily building the taller wall, all the while neglecting to be diligent in the strength of my protection.

Then the snow balls flew. Mine from my side of the driveway, his from the other. The battle was on and I was under attack! In the heat of battle, I realized that it didn't matter that my fort was bigger, what mattered was that my wall of defense wasn't strong. My bricks came tumbling down and I was left out in the open and defenseless to the onslaught.

As you, teachers, continue to be under attack with the pressures of demanding students, critical adults, and mountains of papers, the quality of your defense matters! Overlooking your own self-care can ultimately lead to you crumbling when under siege. Instead, I challenge you to be diligent in your mental wellness, building up your resiliency so you can combat whatever comes your way.

Psalm 18:2 says it best:

"The Lord is my rock, my fortress and my delivered; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold."

Protective for you,
Mindy