In the final stretch before a major event, the air feels charged. The lists grow longer, the hours shorter, and the anticipation can ache like a muscle stretched too tight. As I sit tapping and clicking at my computer, I feel the tension between the pain of anticipation and the quiet comfort of knowing it will all go well. That faith, steady and soft, keeps me from unraveling when the pace quickens.

When stress peaks, I practice grounding. Sometimes it’s as simple as looking up from the screen to see a picture drawn for me by Merrill Rainey, a reminder of the joy and creativity this work brings. Other times, I’ll pick up a featured author’s book that fans the flame of faith in my heart. These small moments reset my spirit and remind me why I do this work.

I’m not the first leader to manage high-tension situations, and I’m certainly not alone. Still, it’s hard to admit when I need encouragement to summit the mountain of books, details, and deadlines that come with planning the Buckeye Book Fair. But I know it’s harder to climb alone. It’s not good for my heart to shoulder the stress in isolation.

So I’m asking you to go a bit old-fashioned in your response to this reflection. Reach forward, sideways, and backward toward those you’ve seen summit their own peaks. Let them know you’re thinking of them. Because while the climb is hard, the valley afterward can be lonely.

By the time you read this, the Buckeye Book Fair 2025 will be over. I’ll be in that quiet valley, resting and remembering there are people like you who care and who read these words.

Pro Tip: Mindfulness works best when it’s a regular habit. Once you’ve mastered the basics, try tagging it on to an existing healthy habit, such as after a yoga session or before you write your journal entry, to really make it stick.

Ready to bring consistency, trust, and impact to your work?

I invite you to download the Mindfulness Reminder Page from the Teaching Artist Toolkit for practical tips to clarify your goals, identify barriers, and create an action plan for forward movement…

…WHICH MEANS you’ll start showing up with intention for your students and your creative projects today.

If you’ve found value in this work, I would love to hear from you. A short testimonial, Google review, or comment helps me improve and allows others to see the difference we’re striving to make together.