This next bundle of books in my Books to Inspire link are about Acceptance.
My personal pick is Acceptance: Embracing Life's Experience by Wallace J. Kahn. Acceptance is something I contiually try to better hone. I think, for me at least, it is a life's work. I've referenced Dr. Kahn in some of my blog posts. Simply stated, if there was a Mount Rushmore for those who have left an imprint on me, he would be there. Check out this book.
Willow is my KidLit pick. It is written by Denise Brennan-Nelson and Rosemarie Brennan. It's got a geat site for enrichment activities. Click here to check it out.
My Professional selection for this bundle is Lost at School: Why Our Kids with Behavioral Challenges Are Falling Through the Cracks and How We Can Help Them by Ross W. Greene. Quite a few folks from my PLN have read this and have given it rave reviews. I have only just started reading, but it is certainly leading me to a significant paradigm shift.
Be sure to visit the Books To Inspire link over to the left to discover more about these selections.
Have you ever felt overwhelmed by a situation? Maybe with a project? Or perhaps a goal?
This is the time when educators select a professional development goal for the year. If you are like me, then perhaps you have been really excited about something you wanted to do. You felt a burst of creative energy and were motivated to take action. Maybe that is what pure inspiration is. Then for whatever reason that inspiration was never fully realized.
So why does this occur? There could be a variety of reasons. Not enough Time is a big factor for why things do not happen. Other things take Precedent and crowd it out. It could be that Support is needed from others and that is missing. I suppose there could be many circumstances for why something does not reach fruition.
On second thought, maybe this could be perceived differently. Perhaps we should be more interested in the discovery of why things do happen, rather than why things do not happen.
I remember a time when I had what I thought was a really good idea; a plan for the future that would help at-risk students be better prepared to achieve their potential. I pitched the idea to my supervisors. They liked it and even wanted me to pursue it. Then my bubble was burst with these words: Think big, start small. I was crestfallen. I wanted to do it all immediately. Right now! There is no time to waste. Just let me do it.
I am not sure why that was my initial reaction. Looking back upon it now I understand this perspective. They had the big picture in mind. It was the right decision. Not only that, but the Think Big, Start Small approach enabled me (and all those involved) to work towards observable and measurable goals in a focused, organized, and accountable manner. An approach such as this allowed us to measure our progress and make adaptations or corrections as we worked toward making this idea into a reality.
Upon reflection what I have discovered about myself over the years is this– having Support, Encouragement, and Guidance is a necessary compliment to my own personal Commitment, Passion, and Motivation. It is a nice counterbalance. It is what I need in order to make things happen. I understand that now.
What do you need from others to help you manifest a goal? If you are an educator, please consider sharing your professional development goal.
