Planting Seeds

As teachers it is easy for us to think that we are life changers. We are sometimes under the illusion that our words of wisdom are just what is needed to set a child on the right path. It is important to remember that when the time and circumstances are right transformation occurs. Nothing we do makes that shift happen, rather it plants a seed which will ripen when the time is right. Perhaps this will pull some of us off our high horses and help us see that how we act and talk with our children has its place, but we should not be so arrogant as to think that we are alchemists. Rather we are instruments that can be played in a child's life, that hopefully will one day will be part of a wonderful orchestra.

Clearing

In some places we remove our shoes before we enter a house. Not just as a sign of respect but to also leave behind the energy of the outside world. We carry energies with us. You can often feel the negative energy of someone without them saying a word. Many times people ask us if we are okay even though we haven't given any sign to indicate that anything is wrong. Energy is often palpable. That is why it is so important to take a few moments to clear oneself before entering someone's house or place of business. It is crucial to do this if you are working with young people. They are extremely susceptible to energies and vibrations and we do not serve them by pouring out all the negative feelings we may have accumulated in the world out there. For just a moment before you enter your workplace take a moment to clear youself. Whether it be some simple breathing, repetition of a mantra or simply sitting in silence for awhile. When you take time to clear yourself, you allow your natural essence to flow, and that is something worth giving to those with whom you are about to spend your day.

The Word Is Not The World

We are all fond of words. I enjoy letting the words pour into my writing. I take pleasure in tweeking the final product by choosing just the right word. Teachers love to use words. Words are a part of our trade. But there is a caution here. The words we use are not reality. Talking about the parts of a plant is not the same as touching, feeling, seeing or smelling. A lecture about nature cannot compare to the experience of being outdoors and feeling the sun on your face, or marvelling at the stars. Wherever and whenever you can let your kids come face to face with the real world. Let them use their senses to see the beauty of nature, to feel the joy of silence.
Words have their place and they have their own beauty. But they are not the real world and can never be a substitute. There are times as adults when we need to simply stop talking and let the world speak.

The Joy Of No Purpose

Most of what we do in life has a goal. We are always trying to achieve something. This is a mania we pass on to our kids. While school obviously has expectations and deadlines to meet, I also propose this. Once in awhile do some activity that has no purpose. Draw, sing, dance, go for a walk or just sit around and have a fireside chat. And do it with no objective. Just do it because you are doing it. Dance or sing or whatever for the simple joy in what you are doing. Help our children to see that it is all right to have no purpose sometimes. In doing this we relax just a little. When we relax we lighten up . By lightening up we come one step closer to finding some peace and joy.