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Have Courage, Be Kind, & Choose Joy!


I was honored to be the keynote speaker at the Region VII ESC Library Conference last week. I can't even tell you what a beautiful day it was, y'all!

Michelle Cooper, a librarian I completely admire, is now at Region VII and put on a fantastic conference.  From technology sessions to the latest in YA lit, and an amazing array of vendors, too, she put together a truly amazing day of learning for every librarian there!

 Almost two years ago I wrote down a "50 before 50" list in my bullet journal. I had been feeling like I had drifted into a space of being a worker, a mother, and a wife----but forgetting to actually put myself on the priority list and wanting to also remember my hopes & dreams beyond my labels. Some of the items are small, some large--but all are things that are simply things I wanted to challenge myself to do.  Things I think are fun or special or rewarding. It's funny how just writing it down puts it in your brain as well as in your journal and you are more likely to accomplish things. Public speaking was on my list. I was equal parts thrilled and terrified to be asked----but I knew the answer had to be YES because this was one of my list items!

I loved the live-action Cinderella movie that was released in 2015. Her mother's words to her, "Have courage and be kind" have always resonated. I added "Choose Joy" because it is life motto for me, and so I had the basis of the message I felt called to share at the conference. I've included the Google Slides presentation for you here. Note that I don't put a lot of the details of my talk on the slides--typically only the high points and images, but I thought I'd include it for you in case you find it helpful.

I encourage you to have courage in trying new things, setting new goals, moving outside your comfort zone. Have courage in speaking with your admin team. Be courageous in advocating for your STUDENTS and how the library can positively impact them in so many ways. Have courage in having window and mirror books for ALL your readers. Be courageous as you get up and try again each day. Sometimes that is honestly the most courageous thing we can do.

Be kind. Kind and nice are not the same thing, y'all. Kind tells the truth, has hard conversations, notices others and practices mutual respect. You don't have to like someone to be kind to them. Show kindness to everyone----we aren't privy to the battles everyone is fighting around us. It is so easy to default to ego and snark back at those who snark at us. If you know me, you know I'm a work in progress----I have zero percent reached achieving this on the daily.  #workingonitthough  Extend grace & mercy. Let that stuff fly around like confetti at an NYC parade, y'all.

Choose joy. Life can be hard. Days can be difficult. If you are choosing to spend 40 plus hours a week of your one wild and precious life doing this work (or any work, or anything at all) I encourage you to choose to find the joy in it and celebrate it. If you aren't feeling particularly joyful, be intentional in adding joy to each and every day. Find your people. Have tea time. Allow yourself to be silly. Whatever brings you joy---do more of it.

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