 |
| I am not one for poetry. I am not saying this as a judgment, more as a fact. I’ve had very little exposure to poetry, probably to my detriment. So, you may find it odd that I am sharing a poem this week. It came to me via Bonni Stachowiak’s Teaching in Higher Ed podcast with John Warner. The poem is Joy Comes Back by Donna Ashworth, read here, by Harry Baker (with a cool British accent).
I really like the line, “joy is less fireworks, more firefly.” As some of you know, my wife and I are huge Columbus Crew fans (MLS soccer). We recently witnessed their heartbreaking loss to Club America in the Campeones Cup in a sudden-death penalty shootout. While the loss was sad, I left the stadium content, reflecting on the many fireflies our team and the Nordecke (rabid fan section) brought us- so close attempts, good runs, Amundsen’s goal on a set piece (finally!). All these small fireflies made the five hours spent on a school night worth it. So often, we chase the fireworks- that perfect class, that stellar research result, that public recognition of work well done. I don’t know about you, but for me, these moments are few and far between, often leaving me downtrodden or feeling empty. Instead, I need to slow down and look for the many fireflies around me on a daily basis, and embrace their light. As educators, we’re constantly in the pursuit of those big, defining moments. Yet, it’s the quieter, glowing experiences- the unexpected student insight, the laughter shared over a challenging problem, the serene moments of understanding- that truly illuminate our paths. Let’s take time to recognize and cherish these gentle glimmers. Look around you, what fireflies can you find today? |