Accepting oneself does not preclude an attempt to become better. – Flannery O’Connor

I’m not going to lie, it was a long week and an even longer day and I’m very tired, so I think this is going to be a super short post.  My students had a tough time with today’s quote.  First they couldn’t get past a first name of Flannery, lol, then they got stuck on the word preclude.  When we finally got all that straightened out, they didn’t understand how you can accept yourself but strive to be better.  I told the kids that I’m fairly happy with who I am.  I like me, and that’s a good thing.  Then I tried to explain to them that I am neither flexible, nor am I bendy, which had to be illustrated by my inability to come anywhere near my toes when bending over.  After the laughter stopped, I explained that while I am perfectly happy with who I am, and I can probably get through the rest of my life with never having to touch my toes, I was choosing to do something about it.  I explained that I signed up for a yoga class (it starts in two weeks, pray for me).  While my students still don’t quite get how you can accept who you are but strive for more, I completely get it, and I hope you do too.  It’s super important to love who you are.  Why wouldn’t you?  You’re pretty darn amazing, after all.  But you can still want to improve, to grow and to change.  Don’t become stagnant, become more.