3rd Wind

There is a saying in sports that athletes "get their 2nd wind" when they are too tired to continue and then suddenly find the strength to press on at top performance with less exertion. This theory transcends athletics and appears in other professions as well and usually appears when people find a way to fight through exhaustion to continue pushing forward to get the job done. There are, however, those brave souls that go beyond the 2nd wind phase and move into the 3rd wind. They are called teachers and they experience this phenomenon every year around the middle of May. The 3rd wind is uncharted territory for many because it involves overcoming personal exhaustion with the sole purpose of putting the needs of others as the top priority. It requires a tremendous amount of exertion with little to no energy left in the tank. Not many people want to do this because there really is no personal gain for doing so, but teachers are a different breed and have a predisposition to access every last ounce of energy they can muster to cross the finish line that is known as the end of the school year.

The 3rd wind doesn't come without its side effects. When someone is totally fried, at the end of their rope, and are on the brink of collapsing, they tend to get a little testy. The once small annoyances that are overlooked at the beginning of the year become big deals and can cause some to snap. Educators understand these side effects and are able to avoid these pitfalls by practicing some tried and true methods that are written in the sacred handbook for teachers that is only available to them. Don't ask them to share these secrets because it is a violation of the oath they took when they became educators in the first place. They will tell you they don't know what you are talking about, but in all reality, they know exactly what you are talking about. It's all part of the extensive training they go through during the certification process.

In all seriousness, the 3rd wind is not something to joke about. Anyone who has experienced it knows that it is absolutely horrifying and would not wish it upon anyone they actually care about. It is, however, part of the job and should only be accessed under the direct supervision of other educators who know how to deal with it appropriately. That time is now. We are a few days from summer break and everything seems to be getting on our last nerve. We need to kick into our 3rd wind and find the strength, courage, and intestinal fortitude to cross the finish line. We need each other's support and encouragement because without it, we will fail and snap. No one wants this to happen because we are a team who cares deeply for one another. It doesn't matter if we are in the same school or if we teach different grade levels or content areas. The 3rd wind doesn't care about any of that, so we shouldn't either. Let's huddle up and help each other finish this thing because the 3rd wind leads to only one thing...a long break and good nap.

#OwnYourEpic #Embrace

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