I Am Convinced

I recently heard someone lament that kids do not know how to interact with adults.  Here is the problem with that-- in some instances, we do not teach them to communicate.  Instead, we tell them what to do and then expect them to do it.  Not much communication or interaction in that.  Definitely very little thinking involved in such an encounter.  Makes me want to stick my head out the window and holler.

I am convinced being generous is a better way to interact/teach.  Be generous with your time and patience. 

Be nice. Compassion helps.  Some kids are given the What For all the time.  They don't need marching orders.  Our students do not need a harsh, judgmental ear.  I am convinced they thrive with a sensitive and accepting one.

I am convinced that we should pursue peace in every situation.  Albert Einstein said,
"Peace cannot be kept by force.  It can only be achieved by understanding."
We all want to be understood.  Don't we?  So, try understanding.  It will help to build some empathy.  A little may go a long way.

I am convinced we need to appreciate the wisdom of others. Sometimes that wisdom comes from the places you'd least expect.  Like the time we visited a homeless shelter where a man confided,
"Beauty surrounds me."
Or when a young student volunteered that,"Mental strength is what courage means to me." 

I'm for being honest.  As in, I don't know.  Or, let's try it out and see if it works.  Kind of  like trying on a new coat to see how it fits.

I am convinced the 'little things' make all the difference.   A nod of encouragement.  A pat on the back.  A high five or a fist bump. A smiling glance.

I am convinced that laughter has the capacity to enhance the clarity of relationship.  When was the last time your students heard you laugh out loud with them?

Generosity.  Compassion.  Peace. Laughter.  These are just some of the ingredients essential to developing a rapport built on respect. Take time to engage in meaningful conversation as a way to nurture trust for the student.  These are some things for which I am convinced.  How about you?

Set Your Intentions #4

“Each second we live is a new and unique moment of the universe, a moment that will never be again.  And what do we teach our children? We teach them that two and two make four, and that Paris is the capital of France. When will we also teach them what they are? We should say to each of them: Do you know what you are? You are a marvel. You are unique. In all the years that have passed, there has never been another child like you. Your legs, your arms, your clever fingers, the way you move. You may become a Shakespeare, a Michelangelo, a Beethoven. You have the capacity for anything. Yes, you are a marvel. And when you grow up, can you then harm another who is, like you, a marvel? You must work, we must all work, to make the world worthy of its children.”

                                 ~ Pablo Picasso

Get Your Collaboreyes On!

This is simple.  This is brilliant.  I love this. 

Check out  Collaboreyes.

Collaboreyes is a global project to help students see the world through new lenses.

Just have/help the student(s) take a photo of self at their favorite place, write about it, and post it to the Collaboreyes site.  Nothing to it. (Of course, get your Collaboreyes Lenses first). 

So far, students from China, Oregon, Illinois, and California are a few who have participated in this global project. 

Do this with your son, daughter, grandchild, student, or anyone.  Get your Collaboreyes on and just do it. 

stumble upon

I stumbled upon the counseling profession gig.  It was a moment of epiphany, mind you.  Still, stumbling is stumbling.

Once upon a time, I was in an entirely different profession.  One day while having lunch with a colleague he shared with me that he was thinking of changing careers.  Either he was going to take an offer to be the Tennis Pro at a country club or go back to school to become a Counselor.  Aha!- the light bulb went off.  That is what I want to do.  BE a School Counselor.  Hence, the start of my path down This Counselor's Journey.

Education is what drives me and bestows me with a sense of purpose (Outside of my family, of course).  It provides me focus, a place to put my creative energy. It is one of the things I am here to do.  It is a calling that comes naturally.  I was lucky to have stumbled upon this profession.

What have you stumbled upon?