Today is the first day of school for the students at Festus R-VI School District. The first day of school is similar to holidays in many aspects. Like holidays, the milestone of today can stir up a mixture of paradoxical emotions, often felt all at once. Excitement, nervousness, curiosity, sadness, exhilaration, pride, anxiety…just to name a few.
These feelings are not just felt by students. Teachers, bus drivers, parents, itty-bitty siblings left at home, distant relatives…everyone is subject to feeling heightened emotions on the first day of school. And, like holidays, these feelings do not often go away once the event/school day is over.
With holidays, many of us hold compassion for others, knowing that some holidays evoke positive thoughts and reactions, and some holidays trigger negative thoughts and reactions. May we hold space for accepting whatever may be coming up for us, and others.
As we all navigate the start of this new chapter, may we also have grace with the myriad of emotions that may come up today. Like the encouraging sign at the Festus Intermediate School said this morning, “Let’s Do This!!”
Happy/Merry First Day of School. Wishing you peace on this holiday of sorts.
Please share this to normalize complex, conflicting feelings. 🚌✏️🎒
A previous note of appreciation:
