Seeing What Is

Too many of us spend our time worrying about where we should be in our schedule or program. We feel dismay at the fact that the kids are not where we hoped they would be. Often we lament the way the school is run, or complain about the supplies we don't have. It is easy to spend our entire lives upset because things are not the way we feel they are supposed to be. In doing this we miss all of those wonderful moments which occur everyday right under our noses. It takes a lot of courage to accept things for what they are. When we do this we stop our constant complaining and are no longer able to blame others when things aren't quite up to par. Don't confuse this with ignoring problems and doing nothing to improve situations. Rather it is the wisdom of allowing things to be just the way they are at the moment. We then can look clearly around us and decide on where we are going to proceed, without being clouded by wishful thinking and disatisfaction.

St. Francis said it best:
"Grant me the serenity to accept that which I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference."

Gratitude

How many people think that life is a constant struggle, that the world owes them something and it usually fails to deliver? How much of this attitude do we pass on to our kids? Realize it is a miracle that you are alive. Remember the beauty of life around you and then help your kids to see the same. Take time during the day to have your kids express gratitude for all that life has to offer. Have them convey gratitude to one another. Don't let the day go by without telling them how much you appreciate them. When you truly see all the blessings you have, your life becomes much more alive and fullfilled. Give your children the opportunity to learn this early in life so that it becomes a way of living.

Deep Listening

When you speak to a child on a personal basis, or when you deal with an issue, how well are you really listening to them? Do you already have a personal agenda before you begin? Deep listening helps you to let go of all your preconceptions and judgments, and you simply listen to what is said without planning your next words or actions. When you deeply listen you are less likely to make a rash decision which will serve neither the child or yourself. Until you deeply listen you cannot really hear what someone else is saying, and you cannot possibly know how to act skillfully.

Deep Seeing

When you look at your kids what do you see? Is your view clouded by your preconceptions and judgments? Is your vision veiled by your idea of what you believe they should be? Or are you able to see beyond all of that and truly see the person inside for what they are, not anything else? When you can answer yes to only the last question, then you are on the road to truly seeing your children and only then will you be able to enjoy something wonderful together.

Truth

Since the title of this blog is Teaching The Truth, let me simply enter a couple of quotes about such.

"If you cling to something as an absolute truth and are caught in it, when the truth comes knocking at your door, you will refuse to let it in."

Buddha

"Truth is not that which can be demonstrated. It is that which simplifies."

Antoine de Saint-Exupery. Wind, Sand and Stars.

Letting Go Of The Need To Control

All children need to learn to respect boundaries and live within the rules set down by the school. However, no child should ever be made to feel that they are helpless in the face of an adult who bullies and tries to dominate and intimidate them. Many teachers need to let of their petty need to control their students and replace it with firm but compassionate guidance so that children always feel that they are heard, valued and respected as fellow humans.

Lighten Up

We all have deadlines, expectations and people down our back. Sometimes in the crush of all this we forget to notice the smiles in the kids faces. We fail to see the humour in the everyday activity of school. Life is not such a serious business as we make it out to be. Take some time to have fun. Look around you at all the opportunities you have to laugh. For crying out loud stop taking yourself so seriously. This whole school gig can be a lot of fun if you step down from your pedestal of self importance and lighten up a bit.