STOP SUPPORTING PUBLIC SCHOOLS! The message screamed. It was followed by a litany of societal ills, all “caused,” according to this woman, by teachers.
Now listen, stay with me, because this is not just a post about education, even though this is a topic I care deeply about.
This post is for all of you who are going through it. Those of you who might have woken up this morning with a pit of dread in your stomach or who feel the rush of anxiety as you go about your afternoon.
It’s for those of you who can't see the light at the end of the tunnel or who feel like each day looks grimmer than the one before it. It’s for those of you who spend your evenings doom scrolling to disassociate from reality, and for those of you who lock yourself in the bathroom so your kids don’t see you cry.
I want to tell you about something I remind myself of approximately daily, and maybe it will help one of you.
It’s this:
If they can’t stop you from doing your important work, they’ll try to keep you from enjoying it.
We all have important work. It doesn’t matter if you’re a retired grandmother, a nurse’s aid, a letter carrier, or a Congressperson. And there are people and forces that may conspire to distract you from your important work for their own benefit.
And when you refuse to be distracted from your important work? They will try to make it so you don’t enjoy it anymore.
The greatest act of resistance in the world is enjoying your important work.
The most defiant thing you can do is say: I refuse to allow you to steal my joy.
Now, be prepared. They aren’t going to like this. They want you to feel demoralized, downtrodden, anxious, and depressed. That’s how they’ll wear you down. It’s how they’ll drive you from the classroom or keep you from caring for your patients. It’s how they’ll keep you second guessing yourself. Expect even more resistance.
But the world is depending on you to be exactly who you are and to do whatever your important work is. And the phrase that has seen me through some dark evenings is:
I refuse to allow you to steal the joy from my important work.
And then I usually get off the internet. Eat a snack. Take a shower. Go to bed early. Snuggle a dog. Go outside and listen to the birds. I try to rest, but I do not quit.
So whether you are a teacher or a preacher or a CEO, remain undeterred.
We need you.
WAIT:
Governerds Insider is already 90% full!
I’m excited to invite you to what is perhaps the last remaining oasis of peace, thoughtful discussions, friendship, and fun on the internet: Governerds Insider.
If you’d like to join us, here’s what you’ll gain access to:
Private Book Discussion Meetings: Engage in stimulating conversations and gain new perspectives on each of our books.
Exclusive Author Meet-Ups on Zoom: An intimate opportunity to meet and interact with renowned authors.
Private Instagram Account Access: Daily stories and Q&A sessions with me, providing a behind-the-scenes look you can't get anywhere else.
Regular Deep Dives: In-depth stories from history.
Monthly Workshops with guest expert teachers.
Zoom Hangouts: Casual, friendly gatherings where we discuss books and life.
Instagram Lives with Me: Join live sessions where I share insights and answer your questions.
Connect with Other Governerds: A vibrant community of readers sharing a common passion.
Here are the titles we'll be reading this season, which runs Sept 1-Dec 31.
The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon (that’s me!) We’ll have guest moderators so you can talk amongst yourselves about the book, and then I’ll join you for an exclusive author Q&A.
James by Percival Everett: I can’t wait to share what nearly every publication names a top-ten novel of 2024. It’s historic literary fiction that’s unlike anything you’ve ever experienced. And yes, we’ll get to meet with Percival Everett!
