Last year I came across the One Word Challenge-- a word that encapsulates how you want to live and who you want to be. For 2012 my word was Filter.
I am having a bit of a time pinpointing a word for 2013. There are a lot of words percolating within me: Gratitude. Easy. Time. Mindful. Breathe.Willingness. Capacity. Transition. Remember.
All good words, all words that would do me good as a point of focus. All words I will be mindful of as I navigate 2013. However, the word for me this year is Carve.
Carve time for family. For friends. For my profession/right livelihood. For me.
I recently took a wood carving class. It was a fun thing for me to do, as well as an important creative outlet.
It was difficult, though, as it removed me from my comfort zone. I am a big advocate of Malcom Gladwell and his referencing of the 10,000 Hour Rule. School counseling is like the back of my hand. Wood carving, on the other hand, is something where I am a true rookie. I have logged about 40 hours. 10,000 is a long way away. So, I hope to continue to practice the art of carving. I believe it will be a valuable tool for me to be nurturing and understanding to those I encounter on their own journey toward Mastery.
I need to be mindful to Carve out time for my kids. They are seven and have entered the stage of their lives where they are involved with lots of activities: soccer, ballet, art, swimming, and on and on. It can be a hectic schedule. It seems as if my kids were just born and here they are becoming their own people. I am so very proud, but I still need to Carve a space for just me and them where there are no outside distractions.
And my wife! So much of our time is devoted to being Parents and Educators. It can be exhausting. I definitely need to Carve out more Date Nights with her.
Professionally, there are times when I am assigned a not so desirable task. I will strive to use this less then ideal situation and Carve it into something workable and to which I can take ownership.
I need to Carve time for myself, too. I am not much good to others in my life, professionally or personally, if I lose sight of this. So, it will be important to Carve a niche just for me.
I like the word Carve because it reminds me to be an active participant in life. Sometimes, a mindset develops that stuff happens to you. I suppose stuff does happen to you, however, it is how I respond to the stuff that matters. Mostly, it will mean making space for that which matters most to me and whittling away that which is an impediment. I hope to do a lot of Carving this year to positive, healthy results.
If you have not picked a word for 2013 I encourage you to give it a try. Here are a few folks from my PLN who did-- Jeff Delp, Lyn Hilt, Ann Ottmar, and Celina Brennan. Click on their names to see their word. Perhaps, by reading about their Word for 2013 they can serve to jump start and inspire you. Add your Word to the comments below.
I wish you well for 2013.
Several years ago I was teaching a lesson to a class. It was a disaster. At least that was my initial assessment. The class was off-task in every way. If I remember correctly it was snowing outside and we were preparing for an early dismissal.
I was exasperated and my patience box was empty. I recall giving my “I’m disappointed in you” speech and instructing the class to be silent for the remaining five minutes. To coin a phrase, it was one of those days.
The following week when I had that class again several hands were immediately raised. When called upon, a student requested if they could do what they did last week. I was perplexed. What could this student possibly be referring to? Last week was something I wanted to move on from. However, in an effort to learn from the previous lesson, I asked what was it that we did which was so enjoyable. The response was unexpected, yet perfect. The student told me he wanted to sit absolutely still. When probed further, other students echoed this sentiment. “Yeah, it was relaxing” and “It gave me a chance to think about my day” and “I like listening to my own breath.” How cool is that!?
Essentially, they were asking to be in the moment; fully present and engaged. Not distracted. Not impulsive. Not off task. From then on I have incorporated that type of activity into many lessons. It teaches them to be more aware of themselves and how they are connecting to the process of learning.
After that I found something called, The Kid's Yoga Deck. It includes easy to use strategies which promote concentration and focus. I have also found that these exercises help kids to pay attention to how their body responds to stressful situations. It is empowering for young people to be attuned to their mind and body.
What unexpected, yet perfect outcomes have you experienced in your own life?
For those of you familiar with my blog, you are aware that from time to time these posts are inspired by my own children.
This would be one of them.
My daughter rode a Boogie Board for the first time this Summer. Turns out she was good. Quite good, actually.
Here is what I learned from watching her...
Patience
Know when to wait and let it come to you. No need to rush and expend energy unnecessarily.
Anticipate.
Be mindful. Study the situation. Know your surroundings. Sense the moment. Let yourself be guided by your instincts.
Act
Be attentive. Be aware. Know when to seize the moment. Own it.
Flow
Ever do something you really truly enjoy? It is not a chore to do. Nor is it something you have to do. Rather, it is just something that has become a part of you. Time stands still, yet seems to fly by at the same time. (There is a book about just this thing. Check it out--Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience. And this one too--Creativity: Flow and the Psychology of Discovery and Invention).
These things -patience, anticipation, action, and flow- helped my daughter at riding the waves. They definitely assist me in my work as a School Counselor, not to mention being called Dad. How about you? What lessons have come to help you in your life?
