Once upon a time I went to the Zoo. Nothing special, we’ve all been there to see the vast amount of animals. I can also guarantee that we have all been to the zoo and have seen at least one group of kids on a field trip. You watch them run around the exhibits trying to see every inch of it, and then there is their leader of sorts. Typically it is a teacher or maybe even a parent, whoever it is though, they are right there with the kids, running around as they make their way through the place. I too was once the kid on a field trip to the zoo. I remember having the time of my life on those field trips, and even as I got older and my visits to the zoo became less frequent and more on my own terms, I would see those groups at the zoo and think back on my own field trips. What I never imagined happening though, was for me to one day be not the kid on the field trip, but the camp counselor leading one of those groups.
I’m going to be 100% honest, I didn’t think much of it. Being a leader for kids is quite literally my job description, so why would the zoo not be like any other day? It was on the bus ride back to camp after about 4 ½ hours at the zoo to realize my whole perspective got turned upside down. Right off the bat I want to be clear, this post is not going to be me talking about how I thought this field trip would be easy and it ended up being the toughest thing I’ve ever endured. This is not me about to tell you that child caregiving is the toughest job out there, this is about perspective.
My day at the zoo was filled with head counts, bathroom runs, and answering questions. My time was spent concerned that a kid would get lost or hurt, and I feel as though that I can speak for all my fellow camp counselors that day by saying that the stress level was high. But guess what? My day was also filled with smiling faces, laughter, and a little adventure. So what was I thinking that entire bus ride back? I first mentally thanked any person who leads my group at the zoo because bless their soul, it isn’t easy. Second, it hit me how important changing perspectives can be. I’ve always believed that stepping in another person’s shoes is a good thing, but this field trip will be the example I bring to the table. It took 4 ½ hours to turn my whole world upside down. It was on that bus ride that I realized I wasn’t the kid running around the zoo anymore. Everyone has been the kid running around at the zoo, but there comes a point in life where that isn’t it anymore. We become responsible, we become leaders, and ultimately we just grow up. It was almost like an “ah ha” moment for me. What I’m saying is pretty obvious right? We don’t stay kids forever, so why is it just now hitting me like a truck? It’s because I had my perspective turned upside down. So my final words for all you readers, is to let your perspective get changed. Step into another’s shoes, because you might just get an amazing lesson out of it.
