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Educational Wisdom

It's Not About Me

1/1/2019

25 Comments

 
Picture
"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others."
- Mahatma Gandhi


Life can be strange.  One minute you feel confident, fulfilled and joyful.  The next minute you can feel depressed, negative and unappreciated. 

Late Fall of 2016 I found myself scouring different sites for what I believed would potentially be, "a fresh start".  I had convinced myself that I needed a change to get my mojo back.  I thought a new position would re-ignite my spark.  For the remainder of 2016 and the first half of 2017 I was updating my resume and keeping my eyes and ears wide open.  

Over the course of a year I had stretches where I felt like the normal me, and I also had weeks that I was negative and distant.  The people closest to me could see it.  They knew I was not myself, but when confronted I didn't have a real good answer.  My normal response was something about being busy and feeling stressed.  Truth be told, it was a lot of little things that led to a loss of passion.  But if I'm really honest it was one main thing...

I was selfish.

For years I prided myself in building relationships with people.  I blogged, I did podcasts, I presented, I connected with people all across the nation.  And then slowly I became my own worst enemy.  I would see social media posts and compare myself to others.  I would read books by my friends and feel the need to do the same.  I lost my way.  I felt undervalued.  This led to negativity, deflection and less patience.

It's important for me to state, during these dark days I still tried very hard to pick myself up.  I sent cards to friends, I visited colleagues, I met with community members, I volunteered on committees, I coached my son's sports teams and I vacationed with my wife and family.  Not all days were full of despair.  However, many days I felt exhausted in the evening.  I had held it together the best I could during the day and I was simply emotionally whipped.

Overcoming the Darkness
By default I'm a very reflective and analytical person.  Roughly a year ago I went to my doctor and had my yearly physical.  At the end of my appointment I decided to ask him about depression.  Was what I was feeling normal?  Was it depression?  Was it a mid-life crisis?  My doctor was very understanding and we talked for several minutes.  In retrospect this was the first step in getting back to being me.

Step two happened this past summer.  Our district went to Chicago for a conference.  Joining me were several terrific teachers.  After each session each one sought me out to share another game changing idea to make Warner even better.  Trouble was, I loved their enthusiasm, but I feared for how things would go when school started.  I feared pushback and the day to day struggles.  For over two weeks I fought with myself.  How could I best support my enthusiastic teachers, but not make too much change for the rest of the staff?  I wrestled with this for weeks and I must have been awful to be around.  I was wanting to please everyone...this was a recipe for disaster.  The focus needed to shift.  Unfortunately, I didn't have all the answers.  But as I reflect, this was a key piece of the journey back to me.

Step three occurred at a very unlikely time.  I was on a morning run with two good friends when I blew my calf muscle.  I was on the verge of devastation.  It was going to take me away from exercise and physical fitness.  Yet luckily I discovered I could ride my bicycle.  For the next 5 weeks I became a bike rider and in turn, I began listening to audiobooks.  In five weeks I finished eight books.  I loved it! I found a light in what I first thought was darkness.  Part of the light was my good fortune in reading The Positive Dog and The Energy Bus.  

Step four occurred in mid-October of 2018.  I was at my breaking point with pushback.  I was beaten down with naysayers and those subtle digs about change, leadership and too much too soon.  It was that weekend that I had a long voxer conversation with a trusted friend.  That conversation led me to stay the course.  It wasn't about pleasing everyone.  It was about doing what was right.

Step five was in early November.  This was the final piece for me.

Two events happened.  The first was completely by happenstance.  I took a few minutes to peruse social media and I stumbled onto this challenge.  The challenge stated, Can you go 24 hours without complaining. Not even once. Then watch how your life starts changing. 

I'll spare the details, but I chose to take the challenge.  Furthermore, I'm taking that challenge every single day. At the same time that I stepped up to the challenge I also read an article on educator burnout.  The article talked about demoralization.  After reading the article I couldn't help but think and reflect.

What I believe is, when most people choose a profession/career they understand that not all days will be easy.  They are realistic that, over time, it will be normal to experience joy, sadness and stress.  Lastly, when most people begin a career they do so to serve and make a difference.  

My belief is this (and this led to my turnaround), if you are focused on your own stature, happiness, prestige or benefits you are likely to experience unfulfilled expectations.  You will be disappointed.  You will feel unsupported.  You will feel unappreciated. 
​However, if you focus on serving and helping others you will constantly be aiming to support and help make the people around you better.  This will create more joy and purpose in your life.   Shifting to a mindset of serving will make every setback an opportunity.

My hope in sharing is to show that I'm far from perfect.  I want to strive each day to lead with my heart and to be a person that serves.  I'm lucky, I've rediscovered my purpose and what's ironic is, I realized, it's not about me.
​
25 Comments
Todd Nesloney link
1/1/2019 11:23:39 pm

You my friend are brilliant. I am am thankful to learn from you.

Reply
Micki
1/2/2019 06:24:56 am

Wonderful words that you shared and found myself nodding yes several times! I appreciate your honesty, but more importantly, our friendship!
2019 will be YOUR year - wishing you only the best my friend!

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:34:45 am

Thanks, Micki! Your continued support and kindness mean a lot to me.

Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:27:51 am

Love you, brother! Thanks for your willingness to reach out and always be supportive.

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Jerry Johnson link
1/2/2019 09:39:23 am

You've been in my thoughts my friend. Loved reading this piece and always know that you're not alone.

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:36:21 am

Jerry! Our ability to connect and understand each other is what I think of when I think about true friendship. Thanks for being there.

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Bryan Playford
1/2/2019 11:31:38 am

Thanks for sharing... Jon Gordon is one of my favorites. I try to read his stuff every chance I get...especially when I start to feel the way you described.

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:37:32 am

Hey Bryan! Thanks for taking the time to read and respond. It's nice connecting with you and I always believe we should do it more often. Don't be a stranger!

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Dave Tchozewski
1/2/2019 03:04:06 pm

Ben.

Bingo! Well said.

You have provided a bit of clarity in my career and life.

Thank you.

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:39:06 am

Dave,

I can't even begin to tell you how often you have helped my thinking. I've always thought of you as a calm, voice of reason. Thanks for taking the time to check it out and to respond. Your kindness and friendship mean a lot to me.

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Debbie McFalone link
1/2/2019 03:06:15 pm

Ben, I so admire your courage in sharing your inner work...Thank you for modeling authenticity and vulnerability---two key elements of exemplary leadership. I loved the reminder that "it's not about me..." because I've had the same revelation: Many times before I facilitate a learning session, I have great anxiety. Finally I realized that sense of panic was really all about me, and that's not at all where I wanted to focus. These days my purpose is always clear...My morning questions is "How can I serve today?: and my evening question is "What did I learn?". Thanks for your honest account of your healing process---I wish all good things for you in 2019!

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:42:07 am

Debbie, it sounds like we are on the same wavelength! I loved your share and connection to your own life. Thank you for taking time to read and respond. Your kindness and support lift me up.

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Ivan Tamayo
1/3/2019 08:08:39 pm

Thanks so much! Your words are so helpful for me.

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:44:31 am

Ivan, thanks for taking the time to read and respond. I hope you found it to be something you can relate to. I also hope you have clarity to what can make you happy and positive. Thinking of you.

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Suzanne
1/3/2019 10:41:57 pm

Ben, what an amazing post! Thank you for being so honest and making yourself vulnerable. You know you are your worst critic; you’re an incredible leader and I see you making decisions all the time based on what you know is right. So glad I get to call you “trusted friend “.

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Marla Gilpin
1/4/2019 09:18:49 am

Ben,
You are sensitive to your experiences, and the people around you. You have taken on so many roles and have learned so much, examining, thinking, studying, evaluating as well as appreciating. Your questions, curiosity and insight have made you wiser and very intuitive. I am so proud of you, and who you are, and your honesty! Be kind to yourself, and Remember to take time to Smell the Roses too!

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:47:31 am

Thanks, GG! Yep, I do have to smell the roses. Thanks for checking it out.

Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:45:59 am

Suzanne, thanks for taking the time to check it out. Your friendship and support mean a lot. Thanks for being there through all the ups, downs and in-betweens.

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Lyn Hilt link
1/4/2019 09:52:02 am

Hey, Ben!
Congrats on making it back here.
I write so much in my current community role w/Modern Learners that my blog is totally an afterthought.
And it makes me so so sad.
I'm glad I'm writing every day, but I miss contributing to a space all my own.
And that's what it's all about, right? Creating for us, for our learning and reflection.
That's what it used to be, anyway. ;)
Thankful you shared this and hoping to post to my blog soon!

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:52:47 am

Thanks, Lyn! I truly appreciate you taking the time to read and respond. I've always valued your thoughts and wisdom. I look forward to seeing you continue to contribute.

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Syndee
1/5/2019 06:41:12 am

Ben,

Thank you for serving. This post reflects many of us...maybe more than we know.
Being able to find and identify the tipping points along the way help us to also see our way through. Thank you for sharing your journey. Best in 2019!

Reply
Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:55:18 am

Syndee, it means a lot that you took the time to read and respond, thank you ; )

I do hope that others will relate to the post and find clarity in how to be the best version of themselves. Here's to more patience, kindness and positivity.

Thanks again!

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Dr. Carla Leejay
1/5/2019 06:54:17 am

Wow! I happened to stumble upon your blog post that was retweeted by someone that I don't follow. This was so inspiring and seemed like it was speaking directly to me. Thank you for writing this!

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Ben Gilpin link
1/7/2019 10:58:17 am

Carla, our paths have never crossed, so technically I wasn't speaking directly to you ; )

However, I truly appreciate you taking the time to read and respond. My hope is that people will relate and find ways to be the best version of themselves moving forward.

Thanks again!

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Errol S Smith link
1/8/2019 11:38:02 am

Loved this piece, Ben.

Looking forward to following your journey in 2019.

All the best!

Errol

Reply



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    Ben Gilpin

    Mr. Gilpin is a people first educator that is focused on serving others, building relationships, student engagement and empowering staff.

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    • HOME
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