One of my daughters struggles with mental health issues in a fairly serious way. From the time she was bitty, I’ve rehearsed a nightmarish movie plot starring her young adult self and a completely-helpless-to-help mother played by yours truly. We deal with really shitty things sometimes and the only way to keep that stupid flame of hope alive is to believe it will all work out in the end. It just will.

We watched the movie together last month and all of my girls (I have three) said it was their very favorite. Ever.

Pixar made a movie about the crazy, wild, mixed up world we live in in a bite-size, metaphor-laden package. In our family, we have to navigate some pretty serious territory and that dumb movie reminded us, like all good stories can, no one is evertruly alone.

Second Point
In my world, I craft spaces (mental and literal) where people feel safe to be their own version of awesome. I protect that space with everything I have. I teach middle school and when kids walk into my room, they can feel the difference.

When someone uses language aimed at undermining someone else’s awesome, the solution is simple (but not always easy): name it plainly and open a dialogue about it.

I don’t get all bent out of shape, I don’t make anyone feel horrible. No one gets publically shamed. When we name what seeks to threaten our safety, it stops being so threatening. The conversation is the most important thing, anyway, right?

I tell my students they will be a happier human if they stop using language that takes away from someone else’s awesome, even if the word isn’t a traditional no-no. Intent is everything.

Jesse