And I paid a visit
(Well, it's possible I missed it)
It seemed different,
Yet exactly the same

Someone once told me...the grass was much greener....on the other side. For me, I have come to realize that "the other side" is not changing my career, my volunteer opportunties, my friendships. "The other side" is appreciating something new or different from my everyday routine. I don't get much time to visit "my other side" anytime other than the weekend. However, on the weekends, I try to visit my side in a different way. I paid a visit and traveled to the other side this weekend by attending a Chinese Dance show . . . 

The show was different, absolutely. I got to see one of my own student perform (which was quite special.) Even moreso, the culture was different, the dances, I had never seen before (thought very beautiful), and it did bring me to a side of peace. 

"It seemed different, yet exactly the same."

The other side I traveled to was different but exactly the same. In other words, same grass, different perspective. My perspective during the week is "do everything I can to help my students." This, in turn, brings me peace. For a while, on the weekends, I spent almost 100% of my time grading papers and forgetting to laugh and forgetting to hangout with friends and lesson planning and conversing with parents. Then, I stopped and realized that the sole purpose of my weekends should find alternative activities that "bring me peace of mind." Maybe, the activity is laughing until I cry. Maybe, the activity is sitting down for an hour or so and watching a movie. Maybe, the activity is attending a dance for one of my students and just appreciating a different culture and new talents and exciting music and awe-inspiring movements. Sitting still and listening and watching and internalizing peace. 

Traveling to the "other side" is shifting my energy, slowing myself down and finding peace in a different way. It's a break from the grass I walk on daily. It's healthy-finding happiness in peace in a different way. Perhaps, a way that is actually more difficult for me as a person (sitting still.)  

And I paid a visit
(Well, it's possible I missed it)
It seemed different,
Yet exactly the same