…reflecting on mental health, rising waters and whatever comes next by Stacey James McAdoo…
Sitting here doing this early morning reflection by a waterfall, waiting to see if the Illinois River will allow me passage today is a perfect metaphor for where I’ve been lately…learning to hold space for the outcome while remaining fully committed to the journey.
May is Mental Health Month, and I’ve been sitting with a lot, trying to find the words to honor it. Lately, two recurring conversations keep coming to mind, both centering on how I move through the world.
My therapist and my momma have both reminded me, “If it doesn’t work out, it won’t be because you weren’t committed to the process.” I’ve heard others mention that I seem to move through life quickly, as if I have it all figured out. Little do they know, I ain’t got jack figured out. There’s so much distance and uncertainty between what I know and where it is that I’d like to go. But what I’ve learned is that clarity doesn’t come from having all the answers. Clarity comes when you refuse to let your uncertainty, fear, or pain stop you from moving forward.
To me, that is the essence of good mental health. It’s about surrendering…not to defeat or passivity, but to intentionality and honesty. It’s about admitting exactly where I am, then committing to doing something about it while being clear-eyed about what that process requires. It means doing the work, utilizing my resources, leaning on my people, learning from my mistakes (losses and “not now’s) and honoring every feeling that surfaces along the way.
It’s a rhythm I’m still learning, and one I know we’re all navigating in our own ways. I hope you’re finding that same space for yourself this month…to be honest about where you are and kind enough to keep moving anyway.
Update: Just as I finished this reflection. The text came in saying the water levels are significantly higher than normal and it’s not wise for us to kayak as planned. After having driven 3+ hours and slept in an unfamiliar bed (after waiting 7 hours on my cousin and eating brunch at 9:00p.m.) – but that’s a story for another day) this was not the news I had hoped or planned for. So it looks like I’m now off to explore the city instead of the river and I’ll still count it as another #NeverHaveIEver adventure!
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Stacey McAdoo, the 2019 Arkansas Teacher of the Year, has dedicated over twenty years to advocating for traditionally underrepresented students and educators. Her relationship-based approach to education is featured in the award-winning Arkansas PBS docuseries Closing the Opportunity Gap and her specialized course, Coaching Self-Expression: Go-In Poet.
As the founder of the Writeous Poets—a spoken word and youth advocacy collective—and an expert professional development facilitator, Stacey designs transformative sessions centered on arts integration, equity, and empowerment. She currently serves as a professor at Reach University and the national Managing Director of Learning & Development for Teach Plus. Additionally, she is the host of the A Mile In My Shoes: The Walk & Talk Podcast and the founder of Still Standing: The Practice, a community for resilient women who, to the world’s astonishment and surprise, continue to stand and thrive despite life’s most unimaginable challenges.
Still Stacey 