“I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”–Jimmy Dean
I have been thinking about change recently. More specifically, how we face and accept change.
Our children’s school district is preparing to redistrict schools. Currently, there are two high schools (both among the best in the state), three middle schools, and a number of primary schools. A new middle school opens in the fall—and apparently, there is discussion of a new high school. Having children in 6th and 3rd grades, we are affected.
My son, the 6th grader, is probably to be the most affected. Because of sports, he has friends spread around the district. By chance, he has fewer friends in our specific neighborhood. Thus, no matter how the boundary lines change, he will have friends going to different schools. Until now, this was not so important as there was the expectation that they would all unite in high school and at least some have joined him at his present middle school. No doubt, he will be facing some lasting change come the next school year.
Our daughter is less affected. She has quite a few friends in the immediate neighborhood, who will go to school with her no matter how the boundaries change.
Because academics are likely to be comparable, however the boundaries are drawn, sports and friends are the driving factors. Considering that my son has yet to go to school or play on a sports team with his long-time close friend, it is not probable that any change would negatively impact their friendship—other than them never going to school together (unless college?). Sports? Well, the current high school is pretty dominant in most sports. There is a tremendous talent-pool. My son has come up through the sports programs, made a lot of good friends, and had a lot of great coaches. Despite this, perhaps breaking them up a bit can have some benefit. Spread that talent around a bit? True friends will remain. Opportunity will come to more talented kids.
The trouble with change—particularly when it affects a community—is that we tend to approach it selfishly. We want only to consider how it affects us and not see to “the big picture”. In the case of this redistricting, it should be the families who will be affected over the long-term who need to be considered. It should not be what is best for my children, per se. It is what is best for all.
So, how do we approach change. Do we think only about ourselves, or do we think about others? Do we think only about the immediate consequences, or do we consider the long-term possibilities? Do we see challenges or opportunities? Key to successful adaptation to change, we need to look at the long-term opportunities for others beyond ourselves. We have to understand that we can’t see beyond the present and trust that where we are going is where we need to be.
In the case of my current change, I am choosing to accept what is worked out by the district. It may inconvenience my son’s friendships, but they will survive. His sports teams may be broken up, but it might give opportunities to some who might otherwise ride the bench. Perhaps, there will be a teacher…, a coach…, and/or a friend who will have a unique impact on my child that otherwise might not have occurred were circumstances not to change.
We don’t know what tomorrow will bring. The immediate impression might be that change is not good or that change should be as we see it should be. Nonetheless, change always comes. We do our best to make the right decisions and consider the opportunities. Oh, the opportunities! We never quite know what change will bring, but look for the good it brings.
“When we are sure that we are on the right road there is no need to plan our journey too far ahead. No need to burden ourselves with doubts and fears as to the obstacles that may bar our progress. We cannot take more than one step at a time.”—Orison Swett Marden