Your mind is ready but what about the rest of you?
For some reading this post, you are already in the midst of a new school year. I am still in the preparation phase for the big day – the first day of school! I described in Part 1- click here that I have been open to thoughts of school all summer and by keeping those thoughts nearby I haven’t allowed myself to get too rusty.
We now need to work it out physically and mentally to be equipped for a new school year. When you physically prepare yourself, you probably start that frantic search for new school supplies and new school clothes. The perfect folders, notebooks, pencils and crayons are waiting for you – you just need the time to find the best prices as well as the perfect items. I know that school supplies bring a flood of memories but nothing like a box of crayons. Open that box and I bet the smell alone will make you think of your childhood and for me it makes me want to grab the nearest coloring book to break in the new crayons. New clothes bring to mind words such as fresh, clean and confident. Teachers also are frantically getting their classrooms ready and searching for the perfect accessories and theme to make the classroom inviting for all their students. Energy and time are required to create the ideal classroom.
This new beginning or a new school year requires mental preparation too. Brand new things such as the box of crayons and the new outfit as well as clearing your mind of last year’s clutter allow you to have a clean slate and a fresh start. Mentally we need to not only clear the clutter but allow ourselves the grace to forget about last year’s challenges and know that this year deserves a chance. This is described well by Wallace Stegner from the book Angle of Repose:
“[T]hat old September feeling, left over from school days, of summer passing, vacation nearly done, obligations gathering, books and football in the air … Another fall, another turned page: there was something of jubilee in that annual autumnal beginning, as if last year’s mistakes had been wiped clean by summer.”
As the school year starts, prepare yourself physically by gathering all the supplies needed. Mentally allow all of last year’s junk to scatter like the wind – it’s not necessary!
I’ll leave you with this: as you open a new box of crayons and catch the first scent of waxy goodness, use this Back to School Prayer Tool from my friend Rachel Wojnarowski. Click on the picture to read the prayer. You can also visit her at rachelwojo.com
Are you ready for this new beginning?
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Back to school truly is a time for blues and blessings. I always feel a bit of both this time of year. I’m an “almost-empty-nester” though and feel a bit more nostalgic this year since my youngest is now a senior in high school. I’ll take your words of advice and Rachel’s prayer to prepare myself for this important time. Thanks so much for this beautiful post and for sharing it at Wedded Wed, my friend!
Thank you for the encouraging words. I enjoy spending time over at your blog as well. The opportunity to link up has been such a blessing. Thanks!
Thought of all of the school smells as I read this. (Well the good ones anyway!) brand new beginnings. Brand new start-for teacher and students. Love this time of year. Except for the nervous tummy! Shared the crayon school prayer with some friends. Thanks for sharing.
I hope we both get over the nervous stomach syndrome soon. Sending my love!