Embracing Quietness

Hey there!

How goes it? The daffodils are out and the Magnolia blossoms are budding – Spring has sprung!

The horrible stye has gone and my other eye has thankfully stopped twitching so, I feel somewhat normal again.

I had my last day at my school this week and I’m feeling reflective.

I am forty-six years old and I have always been quiet.

A crowd is not my natural habitat. I much prefer small groups or one-on-one types of situations.

In the past, others have made my quietness an issue, which made me make it an issue. But they were wrong and so was I.

Quietness doesn’t mean a lack of intelligence, wit or strength. It doesn’t mean that you’re unseen or unimportant. And while over the years, I have come to recognise that, I never really considered that I make an impact.

Other people walk into a room and light it up with their big personalities and their knack for easy conversations – things I find hard. Comparison rears its ugly head and I wonder if I’m valued, important, wanted.

Yesterday, those thoughts were dispelled in a big way.

On my last day in the school I’ve been working at for the past ten months, a wealth of people recognised me and celebrated my kindness, willingness to help and friendly character.

It was an emotional day.

Each one that I greeted in the morning replied with a sad face, remembering it was my last day:

‘I can’t believe you’re going!’

‘What will we do without you (No, seriously – what are we going to do?)?’

‘I hope your new school realises what an asset they’re getting!’

The kind words continued throughout the day and some of the children brought me cards they’d made. Flowers kept coming and by the end of the day I had eight bunches to carry home!

I never imagined that in my unassuming role of Admin Assistant that I could make such an impact on people.

I spent my days doing my best to help others, whether it be parents, children or staff. And I tried to do it with kindness, humour and understanding. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of days when I wondered why I was being asked to do something when the person could easily have done it themselves… But I still smiled and got on with it because that’s my job – to assist.

It was so nice to have that recognition in the lovely leaving speech, in which I was called ‘the heart of the office’ and praised for keeping everything running smoothly and always with a smile.

I don’t say all this to toot my own horn, but rather to show that quietness is a strength.

I serve well. I listen well. I advise and encourage. These are good skills that I thank God for blessing me with!

I don’t have to be loud. I don’t have to be able to hold the attention of a crowd.

I just need to be me.

That is enough.

And you are enough too.

Speak soon xx