- The number 20 is a symbol of your positive attitude and optimism. It can also symbolize your ability for teamwork and your responsibility.
- The meaning of number 20 is empowerment. If you keep seeing this number, it's a sign that you are more than capable to make something of yourself, and you will be successful in everything you put your heart and mind to.
- And of course, 20/20 vision is able to see items up close as well as far away.
OK, OK. I'm not saying I live by symbolism, but I did think this was very interesting. And if we put 20 beside another 20 (not really doubled, but you get the idea), WOW - what great potential we could see in our personal attitude and drive during this time of searching for answers and unsteady concerns about the coming days, weeks, and even years.
I understand the sadness of parents and students who wanted to finish the school year. Samuel is a senior at MSU and will graduate (whatever that will look like) in May. He has worked hard these past 4 years to maintain good grades, carry an additional job (other than student), completed projects, participated in school activities, and was so looking forward to the viewing of his senior documentary project. Rick and I worked hard to ensure he would graduate with no debt and be prepared to enter the 'grown-up world' after graduation. We want to celebrate!! How does one enter a new career adventure in a hiring lull during a global pandemic? Positive attitude! - He called to explain to me his back up plan until hiring picks up again. :)
And Cooper. She didn't get to finish her freshman year at HSU. She didn't get to run with her teammates in the conference championships. She didn't get to tell her friends goodbye. How does one stay focused on what needs to be completed now and look forward to the next school year without personal interaction with her classmates? She's using 20/20 - looking at what is right in front of her, and also looking at what is in the distance. She is determined to see both.
I was scrolling through my older blogs trying to get some inspiration and I found this blog that was written going into a school year when I was serving as a principal. Although it was targeted to the beginning of a year, I feel it is relevant now and not just for school staff, but for parents, students, teachers, administrators, husbands, wives, brothers, sisters - well you get the picture! (I copied the post after these last few thoughts)
There are parents who are not used to spending a full day and night with their children and especially their teenagers - and vice versa. That struggle is real! There are students who depend on teacher support and teacher relationships to get them through struggles in their home, on their jobs, in their personal life. They are struggling. There are teachers who depend on students' smiles to brighten their day and teammate's encouragement to make it through their day. There are husbands and wives who depend on a little bit of separation during the day to make their connection even stronger when they are together. There are siblings who need their space to be themselves because they are not all the same. There is a struggle.
There are also entrepreneurs who are creating new business ideas and/or improving their current practices. There are ideas of innovation to meet the needs of people EVERYWHERE! There are families and work teams who are meeting virtually more often than they ever met in person. There are students who are thriving with online work because it is a better model fit for them than traditional school. There are families joining a variety of church experiences from their homes and cars. There is a 20!
So here is my prayer for this season. I want to be a 20 and another 20! I want to be optimistic and empowered. I hope you will join me. (adapt as you need for your family and friends ;))
- Thank you, God, for new beginnings! Thank you for giving us a do-over where we may have been weak in practice, in attitude, and in integrity in the past. May we take full advantage of this school year to be strong in those areas. Thank you for new opportunities to invest in children, families, and each other. The seeds we plant in the upcoming months will harvest in our schools, our great town, and even our nation one day. Let us make a commitment to plant seeds of destiny in our students, fortitude in our families, and compassion in our teams.
- Equip us with unconditional love, unspeakable joy, and unbelievable strength to be your representative each and every day. Show us what that love looks like. Set our soul to look for the joy in every situation. Guard our mind and body against despair so that we can walk in your contentment. You have given us a strong, sound mind!
- Engage us in a vision. Help to realize our corporate purpose as well as our individual purpose. Let us see beneath the surface and beyond the horizon as we move our focus from ourselves to those around us.
- Endear us to one another. Let our relationships be stronger and more honest than they have ever been before. Let our friendships be steadfast. Let our partnerships be enthusiastic.
Much love,
Tori
