
While observing intern teachers practicing their craft this week, I felt tingles of excitement like I'd felt in my own novice teaching days. Interns' enthusiasm for connecting with their students, mingled with anxieties about being evaluated and strong desires to improve their instructional effectiveness, were palpable. I see my younger self in them, but they see in me a source of professional wisdom. I'm awed. And thrilled. Passing on lessons learned from my experience may inspire students I'll never meet!
Recently I've grown closer to a woman I've known for some years. The catalyst was confronting life situations neither of us chose, but in encouraging and supporting each other, we've become emotionally and spiritually stronger. Yesterday she felt the elation of victory; I'm celebrating as if it were mine!
Perhaps the secret to tasting joy's sweet elixir is in the sharing.