Today is YOUR First Day of School!

Posted by Nicki Peasley Share Your Voice

Ahhhhh, the first day of school… at 8 am, the morning is brimming with anticipation.  Outfits are carefully selected; pencils freshly sharpened; tummies are full of oatmeal and butterflies.  As my kids dutifully pose for their first day of school photo, I am plagued by my own maternal growing pains.  My babies aren’t babies anymore—at 6, 8, and 10 years old, their wings are beginning to flap.  And my job as the mama bird is to let them to fly.

At 9 am, after tearfully passing my chicks off to their teachers, I find myself standing outside, staring at the beautiful old school house that holds a universe of possibility for its inhabitants.  On the sidewalk leading to the red doors of Fox Elementary School are motivational messages written the previous night by a chalk mob of mama birds—“Fox Rocks and YOU are the star…YOU SHINE!”   I smile, so grateful for this place that will help my kids discover their unique potential and learn how to fly.

Then, I smile even wider when I realize that I am FREE for the next 6 hours.  I have my own learning to pursue.  Indeed, there is a planet of possibility out there full of teachers eager to foster my growth as a human being.  My classroom is my home, my community, my planet.  I am a star, too.  I shine!  So, where will I begin my education on this first day of school?

In my basement doing laundry.  Sorry for the anticlimax, but my house is in dire need of some attention after a busy and messy summer of kids.  Plus, I do my best meditating while cleaning, lulled by the sound of the vacuum cleaner and the toilet scrubber.  Today, I am content in the stillness of my own wisdom. I am my own classroom.

As an adult learner, my teachers have come in many forms.  I’ve had the traditional teachers—the laughing yoga instructor, the drum circle leader, the spirit dance guide, the hula hooping expert. Well, perhaps traditional isn’t an accurate description for these amazing human beings who have helped me connect to my inner-most joy.

Then there are the teachers whose books are piled high on my bedside table.  These are the philosophers who help guide me on my life’s path, imparting daily inspiration and wisdom.  For their voices, I am eternally grateful.

Lastly, there are the teachers who my friend Kelly calls our “development angels.”  These are the people in our lives who create conflicts and challenges through which we learn and grow.  They are often the people we love the most like the daughter I took back-to-school shoe shopping yesterday.   These shoe shopping moments are the ones that define our character.  The physical and emotional restraint I practiced was impressive (if I do say so myself) and as a result, we both grew and learned (and agreed that next time, her grandmother will take her shoe shopping). 

Just took a writing break to clean out my closet.  Under some dirty clothes, I discovered my kids “school boxes,” where I kept all the treasures and milestone documentation from the previous school year.  My son’s name in beans; my 2nd grader’s letter to Santa Claus; and my oldest daughter’s self-critique on her dance performance.   

After shedding a few tears (those maternal growing pains are tough to tame), I decided that I deserve a “school box” of my own this year.  Yes, I am a student of life and I want to document my expanding wisdom on the mortal experience.  So up to the attic I went to search for the biggest box I could find.   I labeled it in bright pink:  Nicki’s Coursework in Human Being, 38th Year.  A copy of this blog post and a picture of my clean house will be my first contributions to my box.

Indeed, it is imperative that we adults view the world as our classroom and everyday as our first day of school.  When we stop seeking knowledge and experiences that foster our growth, we become stagnant.  When we can’t see the potential learning in challenging situations, we miss the point of being alive.  Yes, we are all students, teachers, and shining stars in this course called Human Being. 

So, what did you learn today on YOUR first day of school?

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Nicki Peasley I am the CEO of my home, managing a team consisting of a 40 year old, an 11 year old, an 8 year old, and a 6 year old. In my spare time, I am the YOUth development director for Bounce, writing curriculums and working (playing and learning) with elementary and middle school youth.