Issue 43: Limits

Noun. A point or level beyond which something does not or may not extend or pass

Image Description: A series of parking signs in England explaining when and where you are not allowed to park. Photo by Matt Seymour on Unsplash

Check-In:

I have enjoyed pushing limits for a long time.

Running pushes my body past its limit and that invegorates me. I would not put the feeling into the same category as a “runner’s high” but there is something about the level of awe mixed heavy with exhaustion that I experience after running long and hard that I enjoy.

As a teacher and principal, I pushed limits to cultivate the best for the students and communities I served. I remember spending every Sunday getting ready for the week ahead, ensuring that my students know that I was prepared to teach them.

As a non-profit leader, it’s important for me to push school district leaders to create and support the development of equitable school systems even when it’s uncomfortable and unpopular.

There should not be a limit to what we do in service for our students but personally, I have reached a limit.

I have always struggled with the “Black Girl Magic” and “superhuman” personas because I fear dominant culture will forget that I am human and will expect me to push my limits versus asking if that is what I want to do.

As of July 1st, I am limiting my time at my current employer to allow myself time to write my second book and explore consulting on a larger scale. I could coach and train leaders forever and I’m sure I will always do some of this work but I also know the power of research and policy in education and want to dedicate more time to working in these areas as well.

I have reached a limit and I’m excited about what the future holds.

What do you need to limit for yourself?

#mondaymotivation: “Along with stealing your imagination and time, grind culture has stolen the ability for pleasure, hobbies, leisure, and experimentation. We are caught up in a never-ending cycle of going and doing.”
― Tricia Hersey, Rest Is Resistance: A Manifesto

Interview with a Leader of the Global Majority:

Lisa Williams was an equity officer for a large district in Virginia. She is currently an education consultant. These comments are the personal reflections of Lisa and her experiences, they do not reflect the opinions of her former employer.

Mary: What have you learned/unlearned since being in this role?

Lisa: So, one of the things that I learned in doing this work, is that you need meditative practice. You need a practice that is about your internal life.

Lisa: How I sustain myself is I don't make myself responsible for certain things. I'll make myself responsible for being as present as I can be and speaking the truth as I see it.

Lisa: One of the things I'm talking to the team about is that there’s work I'm responsible for doing, there's work that we're responsible for doing together, and then there's work that you're responsible for doing on your own. I don't spend a lot of time in that place that antagonizes over what a person may or may not be doing. That's a waste of energy for me.

Lisa: So, part of my meditative practice has been about those kinds of boundaries.

** **HELP! HELP! Please let me know if you would like to be interviewed and/or recommend someone to be profiled in this section. I need new interviews! ****

What I’m Reading, Watching, and Listening To:

• READING: Literary Activism is a newsletter that keeps me up to date on book bans happening across the country. The latest newsletter highlights some cartoons that have responded to the sweep of bans across the country. You can find a full list of my book recommendations here. Please note that I am an affiliate with Bookshop.org and receive a small compensation for your purchase when you use the book links provided.

• ALSO READING: As the November elections come near, we must understand the impact of every court decision on voting rights and how it will change how to teach and learn.

• WATCHING: For Mental Health Awareness Month, Education Leaders of Color highlighted a clip from a recent talk I did for its members as a reminder to ourselves and each other that we deserve support, care, and a sense of belonging and the power of community.

How to Continue to Support Leading-Within:

• Go to Amazon and rate or review the book there! Reviews are a great way for others to see that this book is worth the time to read.

• Post about the book on social media using the hashtag #leadingwithin. Even better if it includes a picture of you WITH the book!

• Host a book club with your affinity/ERG group. Two study guides are also available on the ASCD website - one for leaders of color and one for white co-conspirators that are perfect for starting a group conversation. For book clubs with participants who have purchased and committed to reading the book, please reach out to me so I can support your journey!

• Connect with me to speak to your organization or group about topics covered in the book, like ‘practicing love and rage’, ‘building a coalition’, and ‘taking a stand’.

If this is your first time reading, please go back and read my Introductions post.

Thanks for reading! Let me know what you think. If you like it, please share it with your network!