Sometimes we are forced out of our comfort zone. At such times, it is an opportunity to grow. Being forced to teach classes “online” has not something of which I was very welcoming. I am not a fan of online learning (for my discipline—exercise science is a very hands-on field). I had no aspirations of exploring distance learning. But, here I am—taking a crash course in Zoom Meetings. (Thank you Zoom, by the way, for stepping up and being so accommodating of us teachers!) It has been a steep learning curve—and will continue to be.
I prefer the experience of teaching my students in person. I don’t consider myself a mere purveyor of information. Instead, I like to think of education as empowering my students to be consumers of information. The longer I teach, the less scripted my teaching becomes. Heck, some days the outcome has little resemblance to my lesson plan—but significant knowledge was gained (by professor, as well as students) in the process.
Needless to say, I am terrified going forward this term as we are required to teach remotely. My confidence is not high. Nevertheless, it will be what it will be. I prefer to trust the role that circumstances play in shaping us and in affecting our Purpose. I don’t know what is going to become of the next 10 weeks, but I know it will be important to whom I am becoming.
I am not alone in being challenged in this present crisis. Everyone’s life is being disrupted in some way and to some extent—more for some than for others. We are confronted with one choice: fight-or-flight—or, perhaps better stated: fear-or-opportunity. We can, in any situation, choose to be fearful, or we can choose to grow.
Growth is never comfortable. Among the topics I will be discussing, this term, is the “overload principle”. The overload principle states that, in order for a body system to adapt, it must be stressed to a level greater than that to which it is accustomed. In other words, growth can only come from being challenged beyond our comfort zone. The phrase, “no pain, no gain”, is often frowned upon in exercise science, but I still favor it. There is the pain of physical injury (which, of course, we want to avoid), and there is the pain of discomfort. Discomfort is the body’s (physiological and psychological) protective mechanism. We want to avoid injury to the point of being overly protective of ourselves and others. As a result, we fail to push our limits—we fail to grow.
Fear must by overcome by grattitude (our attitude of gratitude). We must be grateful for “that which does not kill us” (that which Nietzsche taught us makes us stronger). We must focus on the opportunities before us (on moving from “have” to “get”, per Andy Lausier) and live without (unnecessary) fear.
We have to live with the perspective that we were put on this earth to…
be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!