I don’t usually get personal on this blog, but my story does have a point that relates to working with children, so I hope you will read it and get something useful from it as well.
So, as you may have gathered from my last post, I have been dealing with some personal challenges – nothing life threatening. Just the break up of a relationship. So, I thought that rather than grieve the loss in rainy Seattle while trying to continue with my normal work and life, I’d take a small break and go to a spa near Guadalajara in Mexico for a week (Rio Caliente, if you are interested, and it is wonderful!).
I asked someone close to me her opinion of my plan and she completely trashed the idea. She brought up all the negatives of logistics, caring for the kids, and especially money. Her attack was so strong that for 2 days, I ditched the idea. But in the end, with the encouragement of other friends, I decided to go.
It was such an amazingly great choice. I processed through a lot of the break up stuff while going on beautiful hikes, eating healthy foods, and getting massages and mudwraps. Sunshine was healing and there were plenty of wise and kind people to talk with. Came back feeling refreshed and ready for whatever comes next.
So, the point of this, the part that relates to kids is the huge impact that we as parents and educators have on those little people. How many stories have you heard about people that never sing because in third grade a teacher told them they can’t? Or who are sure they can’t write because of all the red marks littering their elementary papers. We have amazing power. We can crush ideas – crush spirits without even knowing what we are doing. And at the same time, we can also encourage. How many millions of ideas, discoveries, inventions, causes, adventures, and acts of kindness were inspired by a few words from a trusted teacher?
Just something to think about. Back tomorrow with a more “professional post” and a Daily Brain Teaser.
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