Students are back

After a two month break from school, our students are back.  My new assignment is floral and fashion.  However, there are grumblings of that changing soon.  I was hired under one type of goals for my job and they changed over the years I have been there.  I am learning I can be flexible without burying myself.  I can help others without being a doormat.  I can challenge others ideas without stepping all over them.  I can check in and request suggestions for improvement without being wiped out if I need to make changes.  I am stronger now than I ever believed possible and in this paradoxical process I am more open and vulnerable.  My counselor predicted I would arrive at this place of strength with empathy.  I am glad he was right.