Your Own Bucket

When it comes to taking personal responsibility for the decisions one makes in his or her life, in learning and otherwise, my dad has a favorite, and rather colorful, expression, “Everybody’s gotta carry their own bucket of shit,” he would say. (Stay with me, it will make sense in the end.)

As I was fumbling through this process trying to figure out if I have anything to say that hasn’t already been said, and said better by wiser, more skilled teachers than myself, I came across this sage piece of wisdom on from Chrissy Hellyer:

“Why should it matter if nobody wants to hear what I have to say?  Of course, I’d love to engage in conversation, be inspiring, and share my knowledge and understanding with others. At the end of the day though, what’s my purpose for writing down and reflecting on what I’m doing or learning?  It’s ultimately for me. To document my ongoing learning and professional development journey.”

With this quote, it suddenly occurred to me that I have been looking at this process backward.  This blog does not necessarily have to instruct, teach, or inform. It would be great if it did, but that doesn’t have to be its main purpose.  I feel like that little shift in perspective releases me from the pressure of responsibility I had been placing on myself.  You have to look after your own bucket.

The bottom line is that I realize I’m late to the party.  The cake has already been served!  Nowhere is that more evident than when I dip my toe into rushing the current of twitter where millions of educators out there doing incredible things with their students that are so far ahead of me that I don’t even know what questions to ask . . . yet (go growth mindset!). 

So What!

Hey, if you’re still reading then maybe there is something you can gain from this blog.  I may not have a lot to offer in the form of educational wisdom, but I can at least let you in on my journey.  Maybe you can gain confidence from watching me flail.  Or maybe you’re up for some parallel growth, and you want to learn alongside me (want to be in my personal learning network?- @bradthies) Maybe all you need is permission to let go of the idea that you need to know everything. It took me seeing it on somebody else’s blog to understand that. I won’t carry your bucket, but I’ll walk next to you with my own bucket.