~:[CH12 - Day 298]:~ Mis(aligned)

 
~:[CH12 - Day 298]:~ Mis(aligned)

People often hope for the stars to align, but rarely do they. It would be great if we could get what we deserve. Many of us work so hard for a task, but we never reach our goal, but does that mean we've failed? As I thought about the races today, I thought to myself how misguided the education system is. During training and district meetings, I kept hearing the words, measurable. They want everything to be measurable. Why? It is what makes schools and districts look good, but in reality, when we succeed in the classroom and on the field, it isn't measurable. The measurability factor never can measure the moment that an athlete has a breakthrough race or in the classroom, the moment a student finally understands or truly enjoys what they are learning. I want them to pass, I want them to turn in their homework, but in reality, I want them to soak up what I am teaching, to learn something from what I am teaching and to really leave my class finding something that interests them and that they love, which is often not measurable. As I think back to the race, I soaked up the amazing races that many of our athletes put together, who found that their stars aligned today. However, I also think of those who shed tears of disappointment because they didn't reach their goal time or because they fell short of the award or recognition. However, it is in these moments that I hope that they understand that they cannot be measured by these means. How can you measure the hard work and passion someone puts into their season? How can you measure how much one cares about finding success? How can you measure just how much their poured of themselves into achieving this goal? For those that today your stars were misaligned, I say that I see your success. Sure, on a measurability scale, you may not have PRed and surpassed your time, you may not have placed where you wanted to, but for most of you, I have seen all the effort you have put forth and I have felt the passion, heart and soul you have poured into this season. Don't be discouraged and don't be disappointed. While today your stars did not align, all those intangible things that we cannot measure will be the reason why your stars will align time after time, as you continue to find success. In the end, the best measure of success is, how much of yourself did you give to accomplish this goal? We won't always be able to control what we are able to accomplish and attain, however, we can always control how much of ourselves we put forth. Maybe your stars aligned today or maybe they didn't, regardless I'm proud of all you who poured all of yourself into this race and this season, as ultimately it will be what helps you find the most success.