The Song:
Chasing Pavements
'Chasing Pavements' is a song written and performed by English singer Adele. It was released in 2008 and by 2011 it hold sold 2 million copies worldwide. Adele won a Grammy award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance for 'Chasing Pavements'. The premise of the song is based on a personal experience Adele had when she broke up with her boyfriend. "The song was inspired by an incident Adele had with a former boyfriend of six months. After learning he had cheated on her, she went to the bar he was at and punched him in the face. After being thrown out, Adele walked down the street alone and thought to herself, 'What is it you're chasing? You're chasing an empty pavement.'" (Wikipedia).
Now in all honesty, I have never really paid too much attention to this song or Adele as an artist. I appreciate her work and artistry. But this isn't a review on who she is as an artist but more so my reflection on the lyrics and how they speak to me now. Lyrics in song are like poetry. The lyrics help to paint the picture, they invite us in, take us on a journey, reflect our current situation, challenges the audience, celebrates life and at times can make us question life. 'Chasing Pavements' challenges one to think about the 'what' and 'why' when a relationship has come to an end. Is it worth fighting for? Why do I keep running back? Who am I NOW that the relationship has ended? Do I keep trying? Do I just give up and move on?
The chorus of this song speaks of finding and choosing courage, even in the midst of uncertainty. The chorus begs the questions of 'should I or shouldn't I?' Do I run back and try to mend something that is broken or do I accept what it is and move forward. Why do I keep running back? The concept of 'pavements' gives a visual backdrop to the state of the relationship. Pavement - any paved surface or area. The idea of 'chasing pavements' alludes to the turmoil that one can be in when they are in turmoil. At times we can find ourselves chasing the a broken dream, a relationship that was never meant to be, toxic people who are not the best fit in our lives. The list is endless. The questioning has made me think that while somethings are better left as they are, there are other things like your well-being, family, goals and dreams that are worth the effort.
Since returning to school from the last lock-down I have spent a lot of time speaking to my Year 11 cohort. There were different themes that came through each discussion but a common theme that echoed through each student I spoke to was that there was this overwhelming sense of 'pressure' to 'perform' and that they wanted time to enjoy what they have achieved especially during two lock-downs. This put the students in a space where they were running on empty and did not have motivation to keep going. Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing pavements? Even if it leads nowhere - The first line in the chorus poses two questions if one should throw the towel in or keep trying to make the relationship work (chasing pavements) followed by a statement that implies that the effort to make it work might not restore the relationship. While 'Chasing Pavements' is a song about a break-up, the lyrics mirrors the student voice from my meetings with Year 11. We are living in unique times where there is a fear of the unknown and anxiety of uncertainty which can create doubt in anyone's mindset. Is it worthwhile to continue to commit to excellence and pursue goals? Is the relationship between academic achievement and how one can apply this to the current reality of society a side of the 'pavement' worth 'chasing'?
Choosing Courage:
When we choose COURAGE, fear has no place in us (Joyce Meyers)
The answer is yes. Now more than ever, the power of learning and education can give our learners an advantage that can take them far. To have a job that guarantees employment and that will provide financial security is considered a luxury given the nature of our social and economic state in COVID-19. My encouragement to my Year 11 students is to continue to chase the pavement, to find and choose courage over fear. I shared this message with my Year 11's during our online assembly;
'It is easy to let our issue or problem be what it is. It is easy to walk away from our issues. It is hard to face the truth and to face our reality. Finding and choosing courage means that you WANT to face your issues. You WANT to change. You WANT to move forward. Do not get comfortable with where you are at in your learning journey. Do not get comfortable with doing the bare minimum. NOW is the time to really dig deep and find the courage to motivate yourself to finish what you have started.' (Stevenson)
It is too easy and too common to give in and feel like there is no finish line (even if it leads nowhere) and it is easy to question and doubt your efforts (Should I give up? Or should I just keep chasing pavements?) It takes real courage to keep going even when things seem to fall around you, it takes courage to persevere through uncertainty. I have found that as time continues to crunch along and the assessment deadline looms closer and closer, the approach in motivating my students is key. They are at a point in their journey where for most they know what they have done and what they need to do. They feel that it is OK to have a moment and they need to feel encouraged to not sit in that moment but use it as leverage to endure. 'Chasing pavements' can tiring and draining, but if the relationship is worth the time then the 'chase' should be worthwhile.
Joshua 1:6
Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them
I am looking forward to seeing how the next two weeks of this term go for my Year 11 students. I know that this conversation is one that I will be revisiting with my year group. That is OK. I am aware that the world that we are living is one big pavement that we are constantly chasing, trying to keep up with avoiding detours in favor of reaching our finish line. We are all designed to be great and to live great. It takes time to understand how we are wired but it usually through uncertain and stressful times that we activate this strong sense to endure and be courageous. When you think about the challenges you have been through, you can really see and understand how much you able to get through - still standing! 'Chasing pavements' can seem like one is exerting all their energy for something or someone who does not value them. 'Walking with purpose on pavements' is another way to motivate yourself to get to your goal.
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