(Reflection of Christopher Russo, Assistant Superintendent in Portland and Reynolds and currently the Director of the American School of Asuncion, Paraguay.)
Some decisions are easy. Some decisions are difficult or better stated complex. This complexity isn't necessarily negative, but can have nuance and impact that perhaps needs to be thought through, or maybe it just needs to ridden to its wake...
My family and I have found ourselves riding that preverbal wave/rapid and eddying out from time to time to figure out what is best for our "collective" next phase. Or decide that our current phase is sufficient. Either way... I think what grounds us, when feeling out of sorts, we reflect, "It's only like this now." Or when we get distracted by what the future may hold, like retirement, kids' college, etc. we reflect, "Are we living in the 'now' or missing the moment?"
At times, thinking about the future and dwelling on the challenge of what is "unknown" overwhelms and in a sense can simply drive one's existence to shut out everything else. Or make rash, unpredictable decisions. Generally speaking, being mindful to thoughts and feelings have helped all of us maintain a course that is best for the family as a whole.
So that brings me to this particular journal entry--about a month ago the school Board approached me (after interviews for my replacement) with a query as to whether we would consider staying another year. For certain, it caught me off guard. We had it fixed in our mind that there was a new stage/phase ahead--somewhere else or perhaps even to return home. We even entertained some exciting leads where recruiters had reached out for other international positions. We discussed long on the idea, sharing with he boys, soliciting input, perhaps even sought wisdom in a couple bottles of Malbec.
There's a limit to “Malbecian” wisdom, however...
In the end, we decided to stay--it seems what was best for us, what was best for the school. The consistency. Seeing some things through to fruition. Plus, what's happening at home, that also helped form our path forward. The seeming chaos, the raging fires, political divides....
The now--what's right now--is where we landed. Here. To remain in Paraguay. Our love for living and working internationally. A focus on not letting the pandemic ruin or debilitate the many good things happening/that have happened at school, an awesome and dedicated staff (both new and those who remained). Not to mention S. American and Paraguay--getting to stay. We really enjoy our time here. The list of positives that made now right and special were there.
I guess that’s it--we're in it for one more year (perhaps more? We'll see.)
Appreciating the journey or decision-making as much as the destination.
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