This week I went for some tests to check why my hands become numb while I sleep. The test, I was told, was to check my nerves. The assumption is that I might have carpal tunnel. The test consisted of jolts of electricity to the wrist and elbow on both arms. My hands spasmed with each shock. It was not exactly painful, but it felt like a shock — excuse the pun. The results should come out in the next ten days.
Today was Alice’s last day of camping with her patrol. They experienced a dramatic change in weather, from warm to cold in a few hours. During the night, it rained heavily, and I felt a bit concerned knowing she was sleeping in tents. At one point I received a notification on my mobile warning that hail was on the way, so I immediately messaged the scout leader to inform him. What was worrying for me ended up being fun for Alice, and this experience carved some good memories that I’m sure she will cherish when she grows older.
This week was one of those busy weeks at school where I felt I was constantly putting out fires. As soon as I resolved one issue, another one sprang up somewhere else.
Looking back on the week, I realised that many of the challenges I faced were, at their core, struggles in relationships — with colleagues, students, parents, and even the imagined expectations of others. Adler was right: most of our pain emerges in the spaces between ourselves and those around us.
At the end of the day, each challenge we face becomes a stepping stone that helps us grow into better people. But a person can only achieve that if they manage to keep their ego in check. That, however, is a reflection for another day.
