Equanimity

Equanimity.

That’s my word of the year.

Brace yourself while I channel middle school essays (of which I am now an expert) by leading with a definition: an online dictionary (ha) defines equanimity as “mental or emotional stability or composure, especially under tension or strain; calmness; equilibrium.” 

One of the things I like most about myself is my passion. I champion causes. I give satisfying reactions when I hear good news (or so I’ve been told). I genuinely give a damn. The ugly underside is I am terribly emotional, and my emotions rule me. One terse word can send me into a funk for a day. One perusal into Trump’s Twitter feed can leave me despairing. I take it personally when my kids —and students — have bad days.

I don’t want to change who I am, per se, but I do want to grow up a little. I want to choose what I let affect me. And that’s the key with this word of the year — I’m not resolving to be calmer all around (that might get boring). I’m resolving to react with… equanimity.

I also want to have grace under the pressure of grading, paperwork, schedules, and all the details that drive me crazy every day. (Basically, I want to be more organized. This doesn’t really relate to equanimity, but whatever.)

Here’s to an even-keeled, organized, cool-under-pressure Kate in 2016. 😉 I think my studnets

Here’s a nice, relaxing photo of Hehuan Shan from our recent vacation to start the year right.