The First Day of Fall – September 22, 2018

Carol A. Hand

“Stewardship is an ethic that embodies the responsible planning and management of resources. The concepts of stewardship can be applied to the environment and nature, economics, health, property, information, theology, etc.” ( Wikipedia)

***

Teaching requires discipline

“Acting when the time is right”

***

***

I arise early on class day

to give myself time to reflect and prepare

greeting the morning just before sunrise

gazing up at the cloudy grey skies

transforming miraculously before my eyes

ever pinker flowing clouds glowing above

trees of shimmering gold, orange, and red

an important foundation for

contemplating the things I love

*

Preparing enough to put stage fright aside

(still a constant despite decades of teaching and public speaking)

enabling me to be present in the moment

to adapt approaches spontaneously

and address whatever needs arise

trusting the step by step process

of opening hearts and minds

to creative, constructive possibilities

***

***

Giving thanks at the end of the day

for opportunities to model stewardship

for the sake of future generations

***

***