Vision, Legacy, Birthday Musings and Life Lessons

Howdy, Colleagues, and welcome to this week's newsletter. Today is my Birthday, and I am in a joyous yet reflective mood. I have resisted the temptation for years to make a list of the life lessons I have learned over the years. But, this year, I could not resist any more, so later in this newsletter, I will attempt to share with you 48 lessons I have learned in my life, some silly, some serious, for some. I will give reasons, and for others, I won't.

But for those who do not want to read a long list of life lessons ( I do not blame you). Here is what is going on in education at the top of the newsletter.

Students and staff return to school tomorrow, Monday, April 15, 2024, after Spring Break and Eid holidays. I would like to wish you all a fantastic term 3. It will be a long and very busy term, and we have a few things on the cards for our community here at Teach Middle East Magazine . I will reveal more as the weeks go on.

We are trying to grow our podcast listenership and subscription. To incentivise you to subscribe, we are giving educators in the UAE a chance to win dinner for two at Atlantis, the Royal Hotel in Dubai. Click the link below to enter, and please share this competition with your colleagues.

NEW TEACH MIDDLE EAST PODCAST EPISODE

Vision and Legacy: Fiona Cottam FCCT ’s Educational Leadership Journey

In this episode of the Teach Middle East Podcast, I sit down with Fiona Cottam, the principal of Hartland International School Dubai. We reminisce about the Middle East School Leadership Conference 2024 and delve into Fiona's journey into school leadership. The discussion also touches on the resilience and challenges faced along the way, reflecting Fiona's personal experiences and career path in education.

As we look to the future, Fiona and I explore the evolving landscape of education in the digital and post-pandemic era. Offering a mix of leadership insights and personal stories, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in understanding the dynamics of educational leadership today.

If you choose to leave the newsletter at this point, Thank you so much for reading, and I look forward to seeing you all next week.

48 Life Lessons on my 48th Birthday

I am getting older, and I can do nothing about it. I do not feel like I am 48, but who knows what 48 should feel like? I have never been here before. I want to be bold enough to say that I do not look 48; you know the saying...... B______don't crack. But whether I feel it or not, I certainly feel wiser, and here are some things I have learned over the years...

1. Life is short
2. Trust God. Yes, God, it is okay to have faith in today's world, where many people either hide their faith or deny it. I am a follower of Christ, and I am proud of it.
3. Spirituality and religiosity are two different things; learn the difference.
4. The person you marry is a key factor in how your life turns out and can significantly affect your happiness—thank God I got a good one.
5. They lied to you. You are not the sum total of your closest friends. You are an individual, and you determine how you navigate life. I have all kinds of friends, and I like the variety.
6. Find a group of people to serve and serve them well (Mine are educators). You will find purpose and strength in service.
7. Kindness is free, but when withheld, it can be costly
8. Make time for people and relationships
9. Hustle and hard work are important, but too much of them can be detrimental to your physical and mental health. Only you can determine how much is too much.
10. Money will not make you happy, but it does not hurt to have a bit of it to make things easier.
11. Hold your family close if you can- sometimes, you have to walk away from family to be happy.
12. Choose your own happiness.
13. Do your best to not worry about what people think about you. It takes practice, but it gets easier, and it will set you free to be yourself when you do.
14. You cannot save everyone, so try to save yourself- I learned this the hard way in trying to play saviour.
15. Your children do not belong to you; they have come through you to the world, and it is your job to ensure they are living a life true to them.
16. Sometimes, friends are the family we never had.
17. Always find time for relationships and people; when all is said and done, you will need people around you. Loneliness is a killer.
18. Spend time in your own company every day.
19. Sometimes, you are the problem, and sometimes, you are the toxic one, so make sure you are always working on yourself.
20. A hard look in the mirror is often needed.
21. You will offend someone, but make sure to be quick to say sorry.
22. People do not read minds; always communicate what you want clearly.
23. No is a complete sentence, and the ability to say no can be very freeing.
24. If you are lucky, find what you love doing and see how you can make money doing it. If you cannot, do the work you do for money diligently and make sure not to neglect the hobbies that bring you joy.
25. Make it a habit to give compliments when they are due, and avoid flattery.
26. Do not sleepwalk through your life; get a pen/ pencil and paper, write down what you want in life, and go after it. Make sure to revise the list often.
27. It is okay to change your mind.
28. If you have a friend and you hesitate to share good news with him or her because you do not think they would be happy for you, that is not your friend. Run.
29. Simple pleasures are the best: a nice cup of tea, your favourite spot on the sofa, etc.
30. Choose experience and travel over stuff; travel is the best education you can get, in my opinion.
31. Always be grateful.
32. Courage is hard, but do what you want to do even when you are scared.
33. Always use your voice to support the things you believe in. Do not remain silent in the face of injustice.
34. Balance is everything, too much of anything good or bad ends up being bad.
35. You cannot please everyone, so do not try.
36. No matter what you do, some people will not like you—I might have said this already, but I believe it.
37. Be present. If not, you will miss life.
38. Resist the urge to scroll your phone all day as you will certainly regret it- I am learning this daily.
39. Be Patient—many of life's rewards require persistence and time.
40. Leave a Legacy. Think about how you can impact the world positively.
41. Set Boundaries. Protect your energy and prioritise your peace.
42. Seek Out Mentors. Guidance from experienced individuals can provide invaluable insights and shortcuts to your own success. I have lived this firsthand. Some of my mentors I met here on #Linkedin
43. Nature Heals. It can reduce stress, enhance creativity, and improve your mood. Go outside every day.
44. Admit When You're Wrong. Owning up to your mistakes shows integrity and allows for learning and growth.
45. Embrace Vulnerability. Being vulnerable with trusted people can strengthen relationships and lead to personal growth.
46. Cultivate Empathy ( My favourite word). Understanding and sharing the feelings of others can bridge gaps and heal relationships.
47. Consistency is Powerful. Regular effort and routine can achieve more than you know.
48. Celebrate Your Achievements. Take time to recognise and celebrate your successes.

Thank you all for reading. If you read to this point, please comment 'More Life' in the comments section below.

You are all amazing!