#220 Change
Atlantic from the mouth of the Douro River by Terry Kearney
Fear
It is said that before entering the sea
a river trembles with fear.
She looks back at the path she has traveled,
from the peaks of the mountains,
the long winding road crossing forests and villages.
And in front of her,
she sees an ocean so vast,
that to enter
there seems nothing more than to disappear forever.
But there is no other way.
The river can not go back.
Nobody can go back.
To go back is impossible in existence.
The river needs to take the risk
of entering the ocean
because only then will fear disappear,
because that’s where the river will know
it’s not about disappearing into the ocean,
but of becoming the ocean.
This poem is a beautiful reminder of how fear is a natural element in life when negotiating change or facing impending change, be it personal, professional or both; bringing to mind Mark Twain’s quote, “Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear — not absence of fear.”
I see this poem to be very relevant for those joining new school communities as faculty or students as well as those school communities welcoming new community members.
It reminds those who are welcoming the new students and faculty of the uncertainty, courage and fear inherent when experiencing change.
For those experiencing the impending changes, Gibran’s poem reminds us:
… of the importance of reflecting on paths travelled.
… the components of being risk-takers* (per the IB Learner Profile).
… that the path from one’s comfort zone to a place of growth is via both the fear and learning zones
… that (despite the inevitable trepidation) we will (to paraphrase Gibran) not disappear into the new environment, but become part thereof.
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* “We approach uncertainty with forethought and determination; we work independently and cooperatively to explore new ideas and innovative strategies. We are resourceful and resilient in the face of challenges and change.”
References:
Gibran, K. Fear
Kearney, T. (2015) Atlantic from the mouth of the Douro River
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