New Beginnings

New Beginnings

Obligatory back to school picture.

It’s back to school month!

As a teacher, September is very much a time for looking back at what’s been achieved the previous year as well as looking forward to what comes next. For me, this means looking again at what my vision is for the centre and how my team and I can make that a reality. Many people hate the return to school or work and I have to admit, getting up early takes some getting used to. However, I tend to have more energy at the start of a term, having had a decent chance to rest and recharge over the holidays. 

Feeling relaxed and creative in Nottingham. in August.

There’s also the advantage of having perspective. The problems that seemed insurmountable before the holidays, when I was exhausted, now seems easier to break down and start solving.


Writing is often like this, too. Taking a break and coming back to our work can have many benefits: this is true of both completed work and work we’ve got a bit stuck on. Another way we can benefit from a new start is from getting a beta reader to read it – to them, it is a new beginning, whereas the author might be either blind to its faults or driven mad by them, having read it many times.


 As Christians, we should be open to new beginnings: we follow a God of new starts after all. He delights in creation and that includes us. We are ‘born again’ and ‘new creations’, not compelled to repeat our mistakes, whether it is over-using our favourite words or how we treat others.


Take a break, come back to your work and be bold enough to ask God, ‘What next?’

 

Rebecca Seaton gained second place in Pen to Print’s 2018 Book Challenge with her first novel, A Silent Song. She manages a behaviour recovery provision for primary children and writes for Write On! Magazine, the second edition of which is out this week.