I like this word ...weary; different from just tired, it expresses an emotional emptiness and the distinction, I believe, is important.
Our doing good can cause us to become tired; we can do good work and be truly tired, but we can not allow the work to leave us emotionally empty.
To be a part of the good should be replenishing and a cycle whose remnants line the interior of our hearts.
I have a blue construction paper heart on my desk. An English teacher at Union High School asked her students to send valentines to teachers or administrators using their vocabulary words. I am not sure if the vocabulary word was "collaborate" or "anonymous" - but this young man thanked me for working hard. Each day I make sure my blue construction paper heart rests on top of the stack of papers the day has collected for me. So the goodness he offered rests as the first and the last item I see. So, I can do good today.
We celebrated teachers today at Union at our annual Teacher of the Year Celebration. Dressed in red, black and white, we cheered 20 of Union's finest. Leaders and fine people offered very kind and reverent words about our people as we all collectively agreed that teaching is a most honorable calling. We did good today.
The nature of my role prohibits me from outlining the many events of my day - but there was not a moment when I was not with a person in need - not one moment. Some of those moments that needed me were validating; others created a heavy gravity. Thus, I am tired - the kind of tired that puts me in bed way before 9pm - but the blue construction paper heart saves me from feeling weary - that and the arms of my six foot four son which wrapped around me tight at the conclusion of his final high school assembly. Have to find the good in the day..
"let us not become weary in doing good...."
#golighttheworld