Zen is the Japanese pronunciation of a Chinese word, ch’an, which comes from a Sanskrit root meaning “thought,” “absorption,” or “meditation.” And meditation is at the heart of Zen, along with an emphasis on self-control and insight.
—Vocabulary.com
adjective
INFORMAL
1. peaceful and calm.
—Dictionary.com
I feel so calm
in this space
the teachers say
whenever they stop by
my room
during the day
a shared space
where three of us
keep lamps burning
on our desks
in all our comings
and goings
a safe place
to rest and gather
one’s thoughts
in the cool shadows
or to decompress
from all the stress
to eat some chocolate
perhaps
or to have a voice
that’s valued
or just to know someone
is listening
without judgment
we can often answer
each other’s questions
but not always
no, not always
the important thing
is that they feel comfortable
asking
and that they feel welcome
to just be
for a while
in our circle
of lamplight
they are
the heart
of this hallowed place
—my room
during the day
whenever the teachers
stop by and say
I feel so calm
in this space.
*******
As one of three instructional coaches working from the same room, I know the needs in schools are great. If student needs are to be met, teacher needs must be met first.
Beginning with what I told a panel of professional educators in a recent interview: We need each other.
In that same vein: Today I rejoin the online community of Two Writing Teachers for the Slice of Life Story Challenge…
a safe place
to rest and gather
one’s thoughts
or to decompress
from all the stress
to have a voice
that’s valued
or just to know someone
is listening
without judgment
we can often answer
each other’s questions
but not always
no, not always
the important thing
is to feel comfortable
and welcome
just to be
for a while
in this hallowed place…
A place of peace, carved out just to be, and be here, for one another.
As teacher, writers, human beings.
I know I need it.
Darkness into light. jasleen_kaur. CC BY-SA 2.0.
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lit bits and pieces 
You’ve made a beautiful connection in this post. It’s amazing how safe I can feel amongst a community of writers I’ve never met. I’m nervous yet anxious about this month – I know grace abounds. Happy writing!
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Oh, this is lovely! I love the parallel you’ve drawn between safe and accepting places at work and in this community. Our world certainly needs as many safe spaces as we can create and maintain. Here’s to building one together this month! Happy writing!
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Your room sounds so peaceful…a respite for weary teachers. I love the line “If student needs are to be met, teacher needs must be met first.” So true! Welcome back to the challenge…this community is most certainly a safe space.
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We have a counselor in one of my schools who is that safe space. Yesterday she had an after school support meeting for teachers. She served hot tea and had her essential oils brewing. It was a safe space. I think a lot about my classroom space and how to make it more “safe” with lamps and scents and blankets. I feel it’s important.
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Fran, I see your lamplight, feel its warmth, and taste the chocolate. There is such peace in your words and reassurance for your teachers – – the hallmarks of the best coaching. The safety to ask questions and the non-judgmental feelings makes me want to come and sit in your lamplight and just be.
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What gorgeous poetry, Fran!
I’m delighted our community has gathered together, again, to support one another as writers. So glad you’re part of the community!
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Thank you, Stacey – this community is a vital thing. We need one another. I am so grateful for you, and for your words.
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I know I need this too, Fran! Consider me pulling my chair up, bringing along a lamp for just a bit of extra warmth and light, bag of chocolate in hand so I can shore up the stash.
So glad and grateful to share this space with you once again.
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Hi Fran, so good to be writing alongside you again this month. I love the cosy feel of your room and can just imagine what a haven of peace it must be for the teachers dropping by. I especially love the line ‘to have a voice that is valued’, so, so important in this busy rushing day and age! And for this group, ‘being’ is so important for each one of us writers… it does make the space hallowed…thank you!
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After my long time away from this circle, I am rejoining at the suggestion of my counselor. So of course I had to stop by this “room” you’ve created online! It feels just like your room at school. Nice to “hear” a familiar voice on this first day of venturing forth together.
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It’s SO good to be in your presence again, Chris! You and your writing are a treasure to me. Here’s to pacing ourselves for this experience…not a marathon, but an adventure with wonderful things in store. I have been away form this “circle” a long time, myself. Finding you here is like old times. We shall create new ones. 🙂
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