I woke up this morning and decided that I need to approach the uncertainty around what my job will be like in the coming weeks with compassion for everyone involved. I haven't been in that space; I've been worried, angry, and frustrated. But that hasn't been helping (shock!)

So, #1: compassion for my students, whose lives will be in utter upheaval if we go online for any length of time or limit access to campus (or close it altogether). They are my first priority.

#2: compassion for me! Not knowing things, and having too little information for action makes me so cranky (at best!). I need to let go of the urgency I feel, and let myself work through things piece by piece. I am also not going to be the world's best online teacher. That's ok

#3: compassion for the people up the ladder making decisions. Would I want to be in their shoes? Nope.

#4: compassion for caregivers (of everyone; of particular students); for the children and partners of my students; for the webs of kinship that spread so far beyond that.

#5: compassion for all of us. I see so many of us struggling and wanting to do our best and having no idea how. So a particular thank you to everyone who's sharing ideas and documents and essays! There's community on this here platform, and I am so grateful for it.

If you're like me, pause and bring your shoulders down from near your ears, pull in some long deep breaths, and remind yourself you are a kickass person who is going to do their very best. Because we will. All of us. In all the ways we know and those we can dream up.