Keep Collecting Commas

Life is a series of commas, not periods. (Matthew McConaughey)

Life unfolds as a series of commas, not periods. Life is filled with twists and turns. When we look at other people's journeys, it's pretty easy to give them the benefit of the doubt, thinking there must be more commas and the best is yet to come. Interestingly enough, when it's our turn, those twists might seem like periods. Commas add meaning and depth to our writing. Likewise, collecting commas adds depth and meaning to our story. 

When things don't quite go as planned, picture a comma and keep that belief alive. Always be reminded that the best is yet to come. As Jon Acuff says, “There is a better return on positivity”.
When I think about my journey as an educator, it continues to be a great success story filled with commas. If I had seen a period after the first year I was laid off due to budget cuts, I would have ended my career in education over twenty years ago. 

Collections of commas are examples of resilience. Commas make way for extraordinary things to happen. Success is about noticing the commas along the journey. Recently I listened to Tara Martin’s most recent podcast on the, The REAL Journey Show. Tara was incredibly vulnerable and talked about being lonely. But, rather than just putting a period at the end of how she was feeling, she decided to focus on collecting commas. Tara talked about how a difficult time in life has given her new appreciation and the opportunity to notice people she might not otherwise have. 

Classrooms are filled with commas. As I think about commas and students, there were times I quickly jumped to place a period instead of a comma next to a student's work or behavior. The longer I teach, the more I realize that students have a lot of unfinished business. Commas are everywhere! 

Commas can appear after feedback. Sometimes the feedback is useful. Sometimes it is easy to see a comma and a path that shows how an area can be improved. However, there are commas that seem almost like disguised periods when feedback is not necessary or helpful. The takeaway is that there is a lot of room for another comma. Always save room for the rest of the story to appear.

Commas are about focusing on the magic in pursuing dreams, moving beyond our perceived limits, and, of course, collecting commas. Don't be too quick to wrap a story up with a period. More is possible. This morning I was listening to Sean Gaillard, author of The Pepper Effect on the school district podcast hosted by Adam Welcome. Sean was talking about how to “Be” a principal and said one of the most profound things I have heard in a while. Gaillard said, “Be where your joy is”. Keep collecting commas so you can find and be where your joy is. 

If life feels like it's punctuating with a period, pause and see what the comma looks like. Get curious and consider that there is more to come. Commas require trust. Whether it's relationships, financial decisions, work dynamics, or performance in hobbies or sports, always visualize a comma. Keep collecting commas, by staying in the belief that the impossible is being built.