The Space Between
The Space Between
I am writing from my dining room table after being cooped up, which is a feeling I am sure many can relate.
In my semi-solitary state, I was reminded of a trip I took several years ago to Germany and Poland with the Tennessee
Holocaust Commission.
In my semi-solitary state, I was reminded of a trip I took several years ago to Germany and Poland with the Tennessee
Holocaust Commission.
On the trip, we traced the steps of the the first Jews affected by the Holocaust. We saw the site of the first deportations
and we visited several concentration camps. It was at one of the camps that I snapped the following photos. Let me
describe for you what you are seeing through these images. You are seeing a space between two fences.
Behind one fence was where all the female prisoners were contained and behind the other fence was where all the
male prisoners were contained. Both fences were electrified.
and we visited several concentration camps. It was at one of the camps that I snapped the following photos. Let me
describe for you what you are seeing through these images. You are seeing a space between two fences.
Behind one fence was where all the female prisoners were contained and behind the other fence was where all the
male prisoners were contained. Both fences were electrified.
Then, there is the space in between. It was the story of this space that caused me to take the picture and of what I
was reminded of today. As we stood at this location, our guide pulled out copies of pages from a diary found at the camp.
The diary commented specifically about the space. The author talked about how much they looked forward to crawling
into the space, the space in between. In that space, no one could get to them; they were free. They could stare into the
sky, and, if only for a moment, be anywhere in the world. They talked of picturing themselves walking in fields of flowers
or playing with their friends. Those moments of imagination, escape, and freedom were what kept them alive.
Perspective is found in these pictures. To one, captivity and confinement. To another, freedom and opportunity!
was reminded of today. As we stood at this location, our guide pulled out copies of pages from a diary found at the camp.
The diary commented specifically about the space. The author talked about how much they looked forward to crawling
into the space, the space in between. In that space, no one could get to them; they were free. They could stare into the
sky, and, if only for a moment, be anywhere in the world. They talked of picturing themselves walking in fields of flowers
or playing with their friends. Those moments of imagination, escape, and freedom were what kept them alive.
Perspective is found in these pictures. To one, captivity and confinement. To another, freedom and opportunity!
In no way is our current situation, while difficult and unnerving, any comparison to the story I shared above. But, what
I hope you do relate to is the mindset that the author of the journal demonstrated. The perspective we have for what
we are experiencing is going to determine the success of our journey. I hope that you will join me in viewing our current
separation, “As space in between,” as an opportunity! As stated in previous writings, this too shall pass. School has
not stopped, our buildings have just closed. The schools we come back to will be different than the ones we left because
of what we are able to accomplish with the “space in between.”
I hope you do relate to is the mindset that the author of the journal demonstrated. The perspective we have for what
we are experiencing is going to determine the success of our journey. I hope that you will join me in viewing our current
separation, “As space in between,” as an opportunity! As stated in previous writings, this too shall pass. School has
not stopped, our buildings have just closed. The schools we come back to will be different than the ones we left because
of what we are able to accomplish with the “space in between.”
While we may be confined within the walls of our homes, our minds can be a million different places, especially with
the aid of a book. Although many of us do not have the time, schedule, or maybe even the natural inclination to read, I
encourage us, especially those experiencing more down time, to take the opportunity to read that book that you have
always meant to read. In this window of time, reignite your imagination and find excitement and the wonder that can
only be found in the pages of a book! And, if the book is great, write about it and encourage others to read it as well;
there is something bonding about enjoying a similar story. If you are interested in seeing some of my favorites you can
go to this link and check them out
https://www.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=376040&type=d&pREC_ID=1684249
the aid of a book. Although many of us do not have the time, schedule, or maybe even the natural inclination to read, I
encourage us, especially those experiencing more down time, to take the opportunity to read that book that you have
always meant to read. In this window of time, reignite your imagination and find excitement and the wonder that can
only be found in the pages of a book! And, if the book is great, write about it and encourage others to read it as well;
there is something bonding about enjoying a similar story. If you are interested in seeing some of my favorites you can
go to this link and check them out
https://www.k12k.com/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=376040&type=d&pREC_ID=1684249
These titles have influenced my thinking and thus who I am. What would that list look like for you?
Embrace the peace from the “Space in between” that comes from the opportunity to take stock in all that we have in
our life for which to be grateful. Shawn Achor’s book, “The Happiness Advantage” talks about how our brains are
programmed for patterns. In times of stress, our brains can focus on the negative events in our lives and soon we
become depressed because all we begin to notice is the obstacles. The good news is that we can retrain our brain to
scan for positive events by taking time each day to recount the things in our life for which to be grateful. He calls this
the “Tetris Effect”. As I have mentioned in earlier writings, I have an app on my phone called 3 Good Things. I have it
set to notify me that it is time to take stock in my day and list 3 things for which I am grateful. I won’t say that I have
no more bad days but I can say that those tough days seem surmountable after taking time to see the good that is
going on around me.
our life for which to be grateful. Shawn Achor’s book, “The Happiness Advantage” talks about how our brains are
programmed for patterns. In times of stress, our brains can focus on the negative events in our lives and soon we
become depressed because all we begin to notice is the obstacles. The good news is that we can retrain our brain to
scan for positive events by taking time each day to recount the things in our life for which to be grateful. He calls this
the “Tetris Effect”. As I have mentioned in earlier writings, I have an app on my phone called 3 Good Things. I have it
set to notify me that it is time to take stock in my day and list 3 things for which I am grateful. I won’t say that I have
no more bad days but I can say that those tough days seem surmountable after taking time to see the good that is
going on around me.
Enjoy the opportunity from the “Space in between” for time to reconnect with those you love. To say that we are busy
is an understatement. We all become prisoners to our calendars. Our world is going to slow down for a period of time.
Let us all take time to exhale the stress of what we cannot control and breathe in the joy of those we are blessed to
have beside us in our journey. That not only includes our immediate family, but also our neighbors. Those who work
beside us and those who live beside us. I can tell you that I have learned to use technology in amazing ways already
to connect with folks across the state. Zoom and Google Hangouts Meet are two of my new favorites that will change
how I do things in the future! The world is so big and so small at the same time with technology! We have a
momentary gift to add to our network of connectedness that in times of difficulty, we can draw on. We have been
built for relationships (but mind your 6’ radius!)
is an understatement. We all become prisoners to our calendars. Our world is going to slow down for a period of time.
Let us all take time to exhale the stress of what we cannot control and breathe in the joy of those we are blessed to
have beside us in our journey. That not only includes our immediate family, but also our neighbors. Those who work
beside us and those who live beside us. I can tell you that I have learned to use technology in amazing ways already
to connect with folks across the state. Zoom and Google Hangouts Meet are two of my new favorites that will change
how I do things in the future! The world is so big and so small at the same time with technology! We have a
momentary gift to add to our network of connectedness that in times of difficulty, we can draw on. We have been
built for relationships (but mind your 6’ radius!)
I am confident that if we embrace this perspective of “Space in between.” The opportunity. The future that is ahead,
after this current reality passes, will be full of renewed passion, dedicated purpose, and endless possibilities because
we have navigated it TOGETHER!
after this current reality passes, will be full of renewed passion, dedicated purpose, and endless possibilities because
we have navigated it TOGETHER!
Blessings to all
Dr. J
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