11 jun 2015 It’s Time for a Change
“You could not step twice into the same river”.
*Heraclitus
This post is dedicated to my parents, husband and children and to all those people from my PLN who have helped me open my eyes, taught me, listened to me patiently encouraged me and have made me believe that “ YES, I CAN”.
Special thanks to Ana Maria Menezes, Teresa Gomes de Carvalho , Priscila Mateini, Dimitris Primalis, Debora Tebovich, Fabianna Casella, Marjorie Rosemberg, Marisa Constatinides and Vicky Loras for the lessons I have learned from them, for their permanent examples as people and educators, for believing me, for their encouragement, priceless friendship and pieces of advice , for the opportunities given and for always being there for me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
The last three years have been of great changes and challenges in my life. Those changes that happened in my professional life not always had happy endings. On the other hand, I had unique moments in my personal life: My parents’ Golden wedding anniversary (now 53), my son’s graduation, my daughter’s wedding, that I had the honour to plan carefully, but mainly the fact that I could cover all the mirrors and look inside myself to find the person and the professional I want to be from now on.
Having reached maturity without losing the joy for living or the energy to work hard and discover new things, I picked myself lost many times, except for what concerns family stability.
Being a teacher for a long time, I had to bear in mind, more than ever, that I needed to be a leaner. A very good leaner with good marks in order to make decisions and survive in a competitive hectic world, to face the difficulties in the market where I live and realised that either I reinvent myself or get depressed.
But, how? When? And what if it doesn’t work?
We all know the power of procrastination, that horribly persuasive voice that sits on our shoulder and says, “just leave it for tomorrow…” And we also know what happens when we listen to it: we put off our goals for so long that we finally give up.
Being a teacher, I know I have accomplished a lot, but I have also reached deep sadness and frustration too. So it’s about time to change!
The other day I was attending one of Marisa Constantinides’ webinar when she shared with us some of her experiences. One of the things she said that most touched me was: “I had two choices: To be stuck where I was or reinvent myself and change : Change for better, change to make money, change to be happier, change to make the difference, change to serve as inspiration, change to work more or to work less, but change. I’ve chosen To change, I’ve chosen mine. Now, it’s your choice”.
Change to reach peace and happiness and peace is, and have always been, my ultimate goal in life.
Since mid-2012 I have learned a lot with the best people on Earth. Some of them I’ve met face to face, some I’ve not. Some became close friends, some are colleagues who teach me invaluable lessons both regarding my life and my job. Some are only acquaint, but I know they are respectful people I get in touch and do not fear sharing. They are my fantastic PLN (Professional learning Network)
One thing I know for sure is that when I face resistance head on, acknowledge it, stroke it, coddle it, and then ask for help, things shift. The procrastination monster subsides and things begin to lighten up and happen. I know the same will happen again. There is a helping hand out there to guide you through what often feels like a stopped stuck place.
Having tried hard, I guess I’ve finally started to reach good marks in my learning process as a professional. I fell happy, relieved and peaceful!
Life has taught me that there’s always another chance, there is always the now in which anything can happen, anything can change, anything is possible. You just need to be brave and go for it!
Every day, the first thing I do is to thank for the privilege of being alive and healthy, for being able to help and, for sometimes serve as inspiration for the others , for making the difference in some way, but mainly I thank for my total family support, for my friends and colleagues, for my amazing PLN, for being here, alive, filled with joy and strength. I then go into my life knowing that today can be different, that I can make the difference and , most of all, I should not and I will not fear the future , whatever is has prepared for me.
Last but not least, I’ll finish this post written from the heart with another quotation that has made great difference in my life:
“All entities move and nothing remains still. (*Heraclitus)
It’s time for a change. NOW It’s my turn. If not now, when?
Enjoy your teaching. I’ll enjoy mine, my way!
*Heraclitus of Ephesus (535 BC – 475 BC), Greek philosopher, known for his doctrine of change being central to the universe.
Marisa Constantinides
Posted at 14:51h, 15 junhoWow!!! Stunned!!!
And so thankful and grateful to have met you as well, dear Roselli – you are a great educator, blogger, sharer and have one of the sweetest smiles that makes my day every day.
I am especially happy to find myself in the company of this great PLN.
Thank you.
roseli serra
Posted at 12:54h, 24 junhoDear Marisa,
I’m in Brazil, you are in Greece. However, you have no idea how much you’ve served a an inspiring educator to make me continue in this field. Silently, most of the times. BUt your ideas and expertise give me strength to be a warrior like you. A million thanks!
Teresa Carvalho
Posted at 17:29h, 15 junhoRoseli, it’s such great joy and an honor to share my ideas and thoughts with you and our wonderful PLN, thanks to which I too have gained this strong sense of belonging and become aware that there’s always so much to learn from each other. You too have inspired us all with your patience, knowledge, and kindness. Whether planned or not, change sets the wheels in motion and forces us to seek out new opportunities and new mindsets. As teachers, we know we can never stop learning, so why not open new windows in search of personal and professional growth? Congrats on your heartfelt post.
Haroon Habib Khalqui
Posted at 23:00h, 15 junhoBeautiful words
roseli serra
Posted at 12:56h, 24 junhoTê, my dear,
Meeting you in person for the first time in 2013 and have become a close friend of yours is priceless! Your ability to think and develop ideas , your loyalty and professionalism fill my heart with joy . Thank you for your patience and for encouraging me belive I can! Love you!
Cristina Serafim
Posted at 19:47h, 15 junhoGreat food for thought, dear Roseli! Our comfort zone is NOT that comfortable after all.
roseli serra
Posted at 13:03h, 24 junhoTHank you evr so much for reading, Cristina!
You are one of my sources of inspiration!
Big hug,
Roseli
Fabiana Casella
Posted at 21:35h, 15 junhoDear Roseli:
I am so so thankful and grateful to be in your PLN!. It is a real blessing! I was once told by one of my sweetest mentors “everything happens for something!” (I will tell you why some other time) and I truly believe that if you´ve been feeling this way these past weeks, if are kind of “haunted by these winds of change”, it is because something special is going to appear in your life as a passionate educator and warmest person as we all know you are!.
I do not have much to add to your beautiful words, which were spiced up by the lovely comments of dear Marisa and Teresa.
Big hug,
Fabiana
roseli serra
Posted at 12:58h, 24 junhoFabi, sweet,
Your comment made me speechless! You are a great educator and I do g=have a lot to learn from you. I feel honoured to be part of your PLN and friends. Thank you evr so much for being around.
Love,
Rosie
Haroon Habib Khalqui
Posted at 22:59h, 15 junhoCongratulations Roseli .
Great to see this Blog, full of passion and depth . Although my teaching career involved managing my parents school , some twenty years back ,but now i want to become a teacher. The man inside me is pushing hard for the change and that happened mainly because of interactions with wonderful teachers on FB, including you .
I feel honored to be part of this .Hopefully it will be helpful for me to make the jump sooner
roseli serra
Posted at 13:05h, 24 junhoHi Haroon,
Thank you ever so much for such kind words. I feel really happy for your decision to become a teacher. It’s an amzing carreer, full pof passion, ups and downs. But, yes you CAN! And i believe you do your best and will be successfull!
Wishing you all the best ! Count on me if you need anything.
Cheers!
Roseli
Marjorie Rosenberg
Posted at 04:36h, 16 junhoWonderful post Rosie. I am thrilled to be part of it as well as being part of your PLN. You are a truly inspiring educator and I am sure than anything you do, you will do well and will all the enthuiasm and professionalism you bring to everything you touch. Thanks for being my colleague and friend.
roseli serra
Posted at 13:00h, 24 junhoDear Marj,
As I’ve said before, words would not be enough to thank you for being here by my side. A huge thank you for the advice, for your loyal friendship and for being ons of the professionals I admire most. I fell honoured to have you around.
A hude thank you!
Love,
Rosie
Joanna Malefaki
Posted at 19:01h, 23 junhoLovely post Roseli!! 😀
roseli serra
Posted at 13:02h, 24 junhoTHank you ever so much, JO!
Whan I grwo up. I wann be a wonderful blogg like you! 🙂
Feel warmly hugged!
sm@cks
Roseli