I heard recently that although we never could predict the future, it felt safe to at least pretend that we knew what was going to happen next. There was comfort in the structure and patterns that we maintained and kept a sense of normalcy, which is gone for many of us now.  

In the midst of the pandemic with no clear end in sight, we are constantly bombarded with news of hate, fear, angst, chaos, overwhelm, and worst of all death. Since emotions are contagious, it feels like we are collectively exhausted, overworked, anxious. In spite of this, there are moments of joy and silver linings that have given glimpses into how we might create a new and better path forward. 

Our children are experiencing this too. Their birthday parties were canceled, they have more screen time than anyone thought possible, their friendships have changed, they are learning on a screen or behind plexiglass, they have more independence, flexibility, and time. Lots of time.

So much of what we knew in March has been challenged, changed, and shut down. Not all of this is bad and through all of this, we have evolved. As I have repeated many times since the pandemic began: 

Without structure nothing exists, without chaos nothing evolves. 

Oscar Wilde

This is not the blog I intended to write but I keep coming back to how much has changed and yet so much has stayed the same. In schools, virtual and in person, we seem to continue on with the lessons, the same old reading passages, the unit test, and grading as if everything were status quo. But it’s not.

So I’m left wondering: 

• What if we just paused?
• What if we really focused on social and emotional health?
• What if we made sure everyone felt connected and valued?
• What if we studied the world around us?
• What if we tried to learn more about the problems we are currently facing as individuals, local communities, and as a global society?
• What if we stopped and listened to someone with a different point of view to understand, not argue or condemn?

As Steve Jobs said, “The best way to predict the future is to invent it.”

If we paused and focused on what matters most right now, 

• Could we invent new structures and systems that were more just and inclusive?
• Could we find our commonalities and build from there?
• Could we collaborate to build on the strengths of our educators and community organizations, instead of working in isolation?
• Could we redesign our assessment and accountability system in education?
• Could we teach our children the skills, knowledge and habits that will equip them to listen, collaborate and solve problems that matter now and in their future?

If you have talked to me this week, chances are I have asked you these questions. I will keep asking and working with those who are willing to find out. I would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.