One of the challenges of working in school communications is the inability to disconnect from the world of social media. There is always something to post, someone to follow, a comment to which we must reply, and, inevitably, comparisons to others to be made. We know the perils of social media and the damage it can do in the lives of children, and recognize we can fall victim to these dangers as adults as well.
Yet sometimes, especially during this time of prolonged physical separation, these virtual connections inspire and motivate us. On New Year’s morning, science faculty Heide Johnson shared the lyrics to Leonard Cohen’s Anthem to her Facebook page with a profound New Year’s message. I have sat with Heide’s words over the past few days, ruminating on their application to our lives as educators, and felt the need to share through this medium as well. Thank you, Heide, for the inspiration.
Cohen, the late Canadian born poet/songwriter, wrote the words below nearly thirty years ago, during a tumultuous time globally as the Berlin wall fell, the Gulf War was beginning, and there was much to fear. And, yet, as is the case with so many great lyrics, his message is one that feels directly applicable to our world today. It is a message of hope, one that encourages us to focus on the good that surrounds us, that lives in us.
We know that the turning of the calendar to 2021 will not eliminate the pain, suffering, worry, or illness that surrounds us. It will not miraculously heal the division, or patch the discord. It will not abdicate us of responsibility, or wash clean our shortcomings or personal struggles of 2020. But as we step into this new year, one that we believe will be filled with hope, with a light at the end of this long, long Covid-tunnel, we must, in one motion, acknowledge that which is behind us while reaching to take hold of that which is ahead of us. We must, as Cohen writes, “Ring the bells that still can ring, Forget your perfect offering, There is a crack, a crack in everything, That's how the light gets in.”
If 2020 taught us anything, it is that there is always room for hope. Always. May we work hard each day to put aside our striving for perfection, and to simply find ways to let light into our students’ and each other’s lives.
Anthem by Leonard Cohen
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don't dwell on what has passed away
Or what is yet to be
Ah, the wars they will be fought again
The holy dove, she will be caught again
Bought and sold, and bought again
The dove is never free
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah, and the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see
I can't run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But they've summoned, they've summoned up
A thundercloud
They're going to hear from me
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
You can add up the parts
But you won't have the sum
You can strike up the march
There is no drum
Every heart, every heart
To love will come
But like a refugee
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack, a crack in everything
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in
That's how the light gets in
