VET - Current Edition

I will always remember the year 2000. Everyone was worried about the millenium striking on January 1, 2000, and unfortunately, it did turn into one of the most difficult times of my teaching career, but as it turned out, it was to be a real turning point in my life.

For the previous nine years I had been representing the members of my local bargaining unit as their Union President. Differences of opinion with my provincial association in June of 2000 resulted resulted in my subsequent removal from that office. When it came down to a decision over whether the needs of my local members should outweigh the needs of the province, I stood firm in my conviction to represent my colleagues and friends and to do everything possible to protect their best interests. Unfortunately, that loyalty to my local members has resulted in an upheaval in my professional and personal life - however, I do not regret the course of action I took in that I have always felt that the faith my fellow teachers placed in me was something that I would not risk losing, regardless of the consequences.

As I was feeling sorry for myself and wondering how I would cope with the problems I was facing, I stepped back and took a good look around. I thought, "My wife and I are in relatively good health; I still have my job; my children are healthy and off to a great beginning in their respective career paths; I am under a lot less stress now that I no longer have the responsibilities that came along with the union position; I have more time to take long walks; I am getting back into coaching a men’s slo-pitch team; and, I find that my friends have stood behind me despite what the provincial association has done."

It was at that point I realized that I really didn’t have a problem at all. What seemed to be a situation that I may not be able to handle actually turned out to be something that has actually improved my quality of life. It is as if all of the good things that were waiting to happen to me couldn’t happen until a major change occurred in my life. I was missing the many blessings of my life because I was too consumed with everything that was happening to me.

Subsequently, I decided to take an early retirement at the end of the 2000-2001 school year, seven years earlier than I had anticipated, to begin a new business with my sons. To this day, June 2, 2010, I operate that company as a private practice as an education, training and career development consultant. Things are looking very well for the future.

I am sure that many of my readers are going through the very same thing that I went through in 2000. As a matter of fact, I am convinced that we all go through this type of experience many times during our time here on earth. It is our response to these life changing situations which not only make us stronger as individuals, but also more aware of those around us who need someone to reach out to them and help them get through their own troubles. I know that my own personal faith - faith that life is what you make of it and that we are never given a challenge that is too big to handle - has been strengthened as a result of my experiences.

To further reinforce my feelings, I stumbled upon a little passage this morning that I want to share with you.

“If life happens to deliver a situation to you that you feel you cannot handle, simply put it in perspective and let it resolve itself.
If you find yourself stuck in traffic, don’t despair. There are people in this world for whom driving is an unheard of privilege.
If you find yourself having a bad day at work, think of the person who has been out of work for years.
If you despair over a relationship gone bad, think of the person who has never known what it’s like to love and be loved in return.
If you grieve the passing of another weekend, think of the person in dire straits, working twelve hours a day, seven days a week to put food on the table.
If your car breaks down, leaving you miles away from assistance, think of the paraplegic who would love the opportunity to take that walk.
If you notice a gray hair in the mirror, think of the cancer patient who wishes she had hair to examine.
If you find yourself at a loss and pondering what is life all about, asking what is my purpose? Be thankful. There are those who didn’t live long enough to get the opportunity to ask those questions.
If you find yourself the victim of other people’s bitterness, ignorance, smallness or insecurities, remember things could be worse. You could be one of them.”

So the next time you feel down about life, just remember, “You can’t direct the wind, but you can adjust the sails.” There is nothing you can’t handle with a little faith, and eventually you will experience something good that would never have happened were it not for the problems you faced in the past.

Have a good week!