I stumbled across this reflection which failed to post. Where it was me holding back on the publish button or a connection issue, Im not sure. What I wrote back in June 2022, is still true…

When all is said and done, it’s all about the people. In June we would have been getting to the end of the term in the world of education. Many people looking forward to spending time with loved ones. With the threat of more restrictions was looming. I wrote ‘we will have to have a party in the garden with some wine and cheese, some friends round to pop in to catch up – that’s the way to do it according to Boris. I’d like to say that joke on the side but the behaviour of such people really is shocking.

I wrote that back then and look at the news now. I’d say shocking but are we surprised? Back to June 22…

And that’s the problem moving on now – though it is all about the people; the people that make us laugh and joke and have fun, and get up in the morning – very important ones.

It was cut a little bit short but I would’ve now (writing back in June 22) have officially finished a stint in secondary provision where I have to say the whole secondary side of things was exciting, interesting, fascinating and intriguing. It wasn’t any harder than Primary, nor was it easier. Many people don’t respect the differences between phases but I do. The hardest thing of all is people, and if you think about it, in any walk of life that would be true.

It’s people with their attitudes; decisions and their responses; in their mindset and the challenge that makes things difficult – and on the contrary makes things easier. In a very difficult world where things are hard (covid aside), people on the streets, bad language, crime, trying to make ends meet.:: why is it that some people have to try and make other people’s life hard? Why is it that some people need to try and win rather than support and help to nurture and develop? I had a great time at secondary, but for some people.

That however only spurs me on to keep helping others; doing my best to make the life of those less fortunate as good as it can be. It spurs me on to champion those with ideas and to listen to them and respect their thoughts: Where we have a difference of opinion. We may have a difference but with empathy and a humbleness that shows that we still love them, anything is possible.

If you ask for anything for Christmas this year, ask for the ability to respect others and the courage to love them. Don’t judge them just because they have a different opinion to you and then you’ll not go far wrong.

Written back in June 22. Stuck or failed to hit publish. Still true for many today – it’s all about the people!