Last week I sent an email out to our contributors, thanking them for their continued presence and participation on this site after this summer's book study. Like last year, I inquired about their current interest in staying involved with the blog as well as shared ideas about how to improve the learning experience here for everyone.
One thing that impresses me about this group is how willing they are to contribute their time, energy, and ideas to this site. I am also impressed when they say, in so many words, "Sorry, can't write or participate right now." In either case, what they are communicating is their current priorities. Family, friends and outside interests (i.e. beyond the bubble of education) are necessary to stay balanced and to live an interesting life.
Thinking about priorities, I am reminded of a passage from author David Mitchell, in his essay "Neglect Everything Else". It comes from the anthology Light the Dark: Writers on Creativity, Inspiration, and the Artistic Process, edited by Joe Fassler. (Thanks to Brenda Power, editor at Choice Literacy, for discovering and sharing this book.)
The world is very good at distracting us. Much of the ingenuity of our remarkable species goes toward finding new ways to distract ourselves from things that really matter. The Internet - it's lethal, isn't it? Maintaining focus is critical, I think, in the presence of endless distraction. You've only time to be a halfway decent parent, plus one other thing. (117)
I bolded the last sentence in my copy of this book. I also plan on writing it out in my planner before the school year begins as a constant reminder.
When I put out an inquiry to contribute here, or maybe to ask teachers in my school to complete a task or take that next step in our journey, I have to remember that we too can be a distraction. I'd like to think that what I ask for is of more value than some of the rabbit holes that can we fall into online. But still. When we request the attention of our colleagues, I want it to be worth everyone's time which is invaluable and irreplaceable.