Let me not

Let me not live in oblivion or ever see so much pain and hurt that I become immune to it, let me be affected and shattered only to be moved enough to keep fighting for what I believe to be good and real. Let me never become hardened by the injustice but let it fuel my love and passion for teaching the next generation in such a way that their lives may be altered in some small way as to change our world.

Let me not live a life that leaves pain and hurt in my wake but one that exemplies my belief in love over fear even when that is a difficult thing to ensure. Let me not become complacent when it comes to actively loving my friends and family and neighbors, let me not descriminate with whom I show kindness to, or forget to be grateful for all that I have lest I spend too long focused on what I don't have.

Let me not be too scared of loving deeply and unconditionally, or too self indulgent that I lose sight of myself and all that I strive to be. Let me not assume that something that needs to be said or done will be done by someone else, let me not put off till tomorrow what I can do today. Let me not forgot all the reasons I became a teacher in the first place, let me not forgot that I know the system fails our students but that doesn't mean I have to.

Instead, let me make art and pour my soul onto paper, let me spread kindness and empathy wherever I go, let me love boldly and bravely, let me be raw and honest and true in my actions, intentions and decisions. Let me never hold a grudge or forget the importance of forgiveness. Let me believe in myself and my own capacities to look at life in such a way that I smile with joy in my heart in the face of tribulations and know that come what may I will be okay. Let me do what I can do show how deeply I care and love those in my life knowing that actions speak louder than words. Let me hug knowing it heals and never miss an opportunity to risk it all for love.