I grew up in the east end of St. John's on a side street that packs a good climb on those classic cold Newfoundland winter nights when the Northeast Atlantic blows a gale like no other. I remember many blustery nights feeling the long walk home as I raced up the hill mere minutes away from missing my curfew. I remember the safety I felt in my neighbourhood, running alongside of my two dearest childhood friends, Paula, who lived at the base of my short climb, and Dena, who lived a few blocks higher. I remember our laughter and kinship as we braved the elements together on those wintery walks home. Looking back it all seemed pretty easy and carefree, until it wasn't. As it does, life became more complicated and our walks were replaced with new rides and different adventures. Looking back there are many things I would like to have told my sixteen year old self but I know now that a little teenage angst can be a solid maturational motivator; especially when combined with the full circle effects of my family's unconditional love, life long friendships and of course, The Boss.

In November, I enjoyed a special belated birthday gift and an early Christmas gift with my east and west coast best friends, two evenings with Bruce Springsteen and the E-Street Band. Check out Nick Krewen and Stuart Derdeym's commentaries for a solid synopsis of two legendary evenings where The Boss did not disappoint. His incredible energy and musical depth left life long fans like myself in awe of his quick wit, heartland rock rhythms, and poetic, socially conscious lyrics. While I was undoubtedly transported to my teenage past when The Boss sang Dancing the Dark, Born to Run, Hungry Heart and Glory Days. it was surprisingly The Long Walk Home that stirred my soul.

When Springsteen sang The Long Walk Home, I travelled through time back to those brisk Newfoundland nights, numb toes, pelting sleet and snow, and my four house lights shining in the distance. A time when hope ruled and possibilities were endless, and my teenage self had one goal which was to get home before curfew. Weeks after both concerts, I still find myself thinking about The Long Walk Home, the feelings it stirred up and wondering why it moved me so deeply.

Springsteen's The Long Walk Home digs into the complexity of democratic ideals and integrity as he sings the story of returning to a hometown that feels unfamiliar. His use of the "long walk home" is a metaphor of the social and political challenges in his country in the mid-2000s. His lyrics implicitly encourage fans to create space for self-reflection, to build resilience and to commit to one's core values in tricky times. Depending on its context, the expression "the long walk home" has literal and metaphorical meanings. Literally, this expression refers to the physical journey, a labourious, hard or difficult trip back to one's home. Metaphorically, the long walk home refers to a reflective journey of personal growth including;

1. Reflection or Growth. The long walk home can symbolize a period of introspection, personal growth, or emotional processing, often tied to significant events or questions.
2. Difficulty or Challenge. The long walk home might represent enduring a difficult or challenging experience before reaching a place of comfort, safety or resolution.
3. Return to Self. The long walk home could signify a journey back to one's core values, identity, or true self, often after straying or facing adversity.

There are so many things that I now wish I could have told my younger self. Don't take yourself too seriously, be kind to yourself and remember you are good enough would be starters on that life list. Reflecting back, I now realize that every chapter of my life has gifted me with new learnings and relationships. Some chapters have characters that have come and gone, never to walk with me again. Other chapters have had a host of pop up characters who enter and exit in different settings. While some characters have been good influencers and others not so much; it has been the consistent cast of loved ones and our long walks home together which continue to anchor my being in the connected values of kindness, compassion, patience and care.

Recent research underscores the importance of human connections on individual wellness, resiliency and mental health. Berkeley ExecEd suggests the following 5 tips for getting more out of your human relationships;

1. Know your values and what you need from your relationships. This will help you determine which connections are worth your time and focus.
2. Be proactive. Forming authentic connections with others (no matter the relationship type) often takes time and consistency.
3. Reflect on your interactions. Which feel most authentic, generate positive emotions, and are most fulfilling? Engage in those types of interactions more often.
4. Be authentic and honest in every interaction. Understand that you don’t always have to be ‘on’ or appear a certain way. Authenticity is the key to genuine connection.
5. Recognize that everyone has different connectivity needs. If a relationship never grows beyond ‘acquaintance level’ or just isn’t working, it’s okay. Don’t force it.

Humans are tricky by design, we feel deeply and we all have lived experiences that impact our worldview and ability to connect. Instinctually, we emotionally narrate our interactions by the depth and breadth of our human connections and core values. These interrelations impact our capacity at different life stages to take the long walk home. Sometimes we need respite and the long walk home may appear daunting. Sometimes the long walk home is smooth and easygoing. As an educator, I have always tried to prioritize relationships and human connections. I am always curious about the sticky and tricky interpersonal interactions that carry the power to weigh the soul down making the long walk home even more complex and convoluted. Why do some relational lines run so deep and stick to the soul, while other tricky situations gift more light, growth and fluidity?

Spinning off this, I am realizing that the most exciting and challenging chapters in my professional life have repeatedly centred on the long walk home infused with the dynamics of human connections and the juxtaposition of core values. I appreciate the repositioning of "the trickies" by colleagues Chris Kennedy and Ian Kennedy. As I walk into many conversations, I find myself intellectually listening for the "trickies" while intentionally leaning into human connections to find new ways forward. While the "long walk" is symbolic of the human growth and learning journey, the formidable reality is that at certain milestones and junctions in one's life finding a way forward may feel difficult. Some chapters in our lives are filled with tricky relationships and challenging situations leading one to question the course and to struggle with safely navigating the long walk home. Fending and feeling the trickies is part of the journey but getting stuck in them is not.

Inspired by Springsteen's rocking rendition of Santa Claus is Coming to Town, I think a little seasonal levity and relational lifting can help us focus on finding the right next step in the festive weeks ahead. With the frenzy of holiday events, traffic craziness, gatherings, celebrations, and so much more, the "Christmas Human" frequently feels more tricky pressure points. For educators managing all the big and small emotions in school environments leading up to the holidays, our walking feet get tired and it can all feel a little overwhelming. For some individuals, the holidays can be an exceptionally difficult and sad time for many important present and past reasons, calling for extra doses of human kindness, compassion and sensitivity. With these considerations in mind this holiday season I am committing to:

1. Walk into festive fun and joyful interactions. With intention as we move towards the holiday break, I'm going to don my sparkles and ugly Christmas sweaters with a sense of silliness and glittery positivity.
2. Walk away from negativity and energy zappers. With intention, I'm consciously deciding to do my best and to not catch negative stress contagions. I am going weigh my 'asks' of others in the days leading up to the holiday break in attempt to reposition time and tension.
3. Walk around things that are too heavy to carry right now and to perhaps put the pause button on things that need a little more time to settle. While finding moments of quiet reflection with trusted colleagues and friends is in order, I am going to be thoughtful around the tasks that can wait until the freshness of the new year.
4. Walk with people who matter most. Too many busy days in life can pass without connecting with loved ones and prioritizing time together. I've been working on this with great intention over the past few years, making sure that I am reaching out and making the time to connect with cherished friends and family members. Be it a phone call, a quiet cup of tea together, or an in-person visit, I'm walking with those that mean the most to me in my life this season.

While the Boss doesn't offer explicit advice in his rendition of The Long Walk Home, his lyrics leave one thinking more about remembering one's values, staying connected with others and acknowledging your journey. There is always hope when we walk into relationships with integrity and a sense of shared humanity. May your long walks home in the holiday weeks ahead be filled with a peaceful mix of friendship and fun, interspersed with solitude and compassion. Happy Holidays!

In the spirit of academic integrity and author honesty, the 3 point long walk home metaphorical list was pulled from Chat GPT.