A New School Year: What's It Mean To You

A child is not a vase to be filled, but a fire to be lit.
                                                                                                        ~Francois Rabelais

A new school year is upon us.  What sort of meaning does that conjure up for you?

For me, it is to be witness to that moment when a student (or anyone, for that matter) "gets it".  Whether it be learning to read, when a math concept finally clicks, riding a bike for the first time, proudly creating a work of art, or finding a "good-fit" friend.

It is the precise point in time when motivation and confidence and continued effort embrace.  Aha!  The flame is ignited.

It is beautiful to behold.

What Awaits You

That's my daughter in the photo.  In an earlier blog post, I wrote about her brother and mindfulness.  Here it is.  Alas, being an equal opportunity Dad, I must write about her too. I love this snapshot.  It really does capture a moment-- FEARLESSNESS.  She was little more than a year old and walking independently-- just going forth to all that is out there.  She's teetering down the sloped hill, head on a swivel taking in everything all at once and intuitively knowing the here and now.  The whole world is right there in front of her waiting to be had.  And she does not want to miss one single moment.

That's her alright.  Going to it with exuberance.  Whatever she is doing at a particular moment is the Best Thing Ever.  No reservations.  No agenda.  No expectations. 

She enters into each space with bountiful trust. In the moment. Here. Now. Fully present. She remains completely open and accepting. Believing.  Without fear.

Sometimes I think we find ourselves paralyzed by indecision.  Hesitant by the 'what if' of disappointment and self-doubt.  Instead, why not open up to the 'what if' of possibility and discovery and the personal growth that comes from it. 

Go forth, Daughter of Mine!  I am right there with you.  And thanks for the lesson.

Friends and Flowers

In a way, nobody sees a flower, really, it is so small, we haven't time-- and to see takes time, like to have a friend takes time. -Georgia O'Keeffe

Coming from her, that is quite a statement.  A powerful, humbling one.  After all, she is Georgia O'Keeffe-- the artist who made us all look at flowers like never before.

We cannot see every flower we come across, can we?    It is true-- flowers are small.  She knew that and so she painted them huge.  That is what Georgia O'Keeffe saw and she made it her own.  Of course, we took notice. 
Still, there are some flowers you find yourself noticing more than others.  Maybe a Jack-in-the-Pulpit tickles your fancy.  Or the fragrance of Lilly-of-the-Valley floats your boat. Whatever it may be, you have taken the time to notice.

The part that interests me, though, is her belief of how to have a friend takes time.  We cannot become friends with every person we come across, can we?  What do you notice in a person that compels you to reach out and begin to form a friendship?  How does it develop for you?  What do you do to nurture a friendship?

These Jack-in-the-Pulpit paintings were created in 1930.  That got me thinking.  Georgia O'Keeffe did not have Twitter or Facebook. I find myself conflicted. Does having a friend mean posting on Facebook and maintaining connections with friends?  I have some friends that I have not seen for ages and ages, but I am able to stay connected to them with the immediacy of the Internet.  Or is it necessary to be intimate and face-to-face? After all, sometimes more is communicated by what is left unspoken.  And, this can only be observed in a personal encounter.  How do you weigh in on this?

No matter the time, 1930 or 2011, I suppose what this speaks to are the intentions you set and how you go about your business of living-- and connecting.

Summer Reading for Educators

This next bundle of books in my Books to Inspire link are for summer reading.

Nurture Shock is my professional selection.  It really challenges the way we go about teaching and rearing children.  By way of extensive research and case studies on intelligence, kindness, aggression, peer pressure, etc... the authors convey that we have mistaken good intentions for good ideas.  It is a compelling must-read for parents and educators.

My personal pick is Drive:  The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us.  I think you will come away with personal insights as to what motivates you.  There is even a tool kit with strategies for you to put to practice.

If I Never Forever Endeavor is my choice for Kid Lit.  The message is one to keep close to your heart:  believe in yourself, nestle close to encouragement, give your best effort!

What is on your summer reading list?

Set Your Intentions #2

With Graduation Season in full swing, now is a good time to roll out another quote.  A while back, if you recall, one of my posts consisted of a quote.  Nothing more.   My intention is to share words that compel you to reflect upon how you go about your business of living.  Here is the second quote by which to lead your life.   Click here to see the first.  Congratulations, Grads.  Do good things!

"Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work.  And the only way to do great work is to love what you do."   ~ Steve Jobs

You Are A Mighty Force!

Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid.   -Basil King

If you work in a school you have a mighty job.  By that I mean you are so darn lucky to do what you do.  You get to be around young people, otherwise known as students.  They learn and grow by leaps and bounds.  You are an integral part of that learning, growing, and developing.

If you work in a school you have a mighty responsibility, too.  As in, people expect great things from your role as Educator.  You are tasked to shape and chart the course of these young lives.  Your students look to you and the example which you put on display for them.  Your students need you so much.  This is not to be taken lightly. 

Finally, if you work in a school then you ARE a mighty force.  I mean that as in you come to the aid of young people--day in, day out-- to bring them to the shores of acheivement.

Students need to feel capable.  They need to know that what they say and what they do really does count.  This, I believe, helps them to feel connected to the world in which they live.  As they feel worthy and confident about themselves as individuals, they will be able to pursue their highest aspirations. 

We must encourage our youth to set lofty intentions, and then support them as they set sail.  How are you bold?  How are you a mighty force?

Lessons We Can Learn From Geese

You may have seen this already.  It is something I came across many years ago.  The message still resonates with me and I revisit it from time to time.  It also makes for a good lesson to use with my students.  I'd like to share it with you:

Fact:  As each bird flaps its' wings, it creates an uplift for the bird following.  By flying in a V-formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one goose flew alone.

Lesson to be learned:  People who share a common direction and sense of belonging can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another.

Fact:  When a lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.

Lesson to integrate:  It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

Fact:  The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Lesson to be mindful of:  We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.

Fact:  When a goose gets sick or wounded, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it.  They stay with it until it is able to fly again--or dies.  Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.

Lesson:  If we have as much sense as geese, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

What lessons have you learned from animals?  Please share the wisdom.