Wow, did I have a tough time doing my homework for today’s notes! And I know it’s late. Sorry!
Instead of saying, like we did years ago, that it was because of the dog, now I’m saying it was because of the mouse.
At this time of the school year, I am reminded that there are so many great educators out there. I knew some of them. They deserve every accolade possible. No question. I had once thought about becoming a teacher…..my three reasons were June, July and August! I wonder how my life would have turned out if I’d had a career counselor with a sense of humor!
Spring is an exciting time for many students, and less so for others. Those others include a few who did not or could not ‘fit in.’ Some very bright young folks, too.
Society seems to encourage us to be ourselves, while the educational system’s proviso is that we think alike, in order to pass the exams. I think we’ve all heard variations of the expression ‘marching to the beat of a different drummer’. Unfortunately, we do not know what the heck to do with those who are actually doing that.
What will graduation day show us? For one thing, it will show us that the majority of students can do what the system requires of them. That’s just a statement….no hidden meanings.
The day will also show that, by their obvious absence, some of the students were less malleable or were divergent thinkers (I call some of them that), deferring to their own inner voice rather than to the curriculum.
That’s also a statement, and it is riddled with hidden meanings! I know, since I was becoming one of those divergent thinkers. The whys? Whatever they are, suffice it to say that ultimately, the world will be the scorecard for the curriculum of the day. In fact, it is doing some serious ‘keeping score’ right now!
If we take a close look today, we’d notice that many who are considered highly successful are looking to see where they can find the real satisfaction that has turned out as missing in their lives. And they are looking away from their selected careers.
We’d notice others, living as if they had some secret formula for satisfaction. They may be unable to define what it is that they are connecting with, and it seems to come from some inner depth.
They love their life and are doing what they truly love to do.
Speaking for myself, except for the obvious societal needs, it isn’t just information I have a craving for….good grief, most of us have or can get enough of that to do most anything….it is depth that I continually hunger for.
For so many of us, it seems like we’ve invested in a life that we are now questioning because of the lack of that depth. The soul gets its nourishment from deep feelings so recovering them might assure us we’ve gotten our investment back.
When I am face-to-face with a person of importance in my life, I want to say, “Don’t give me more data….give me your own soul so that we might truly communicate.”
You see, by giving me data, you are preparing me to live the length of my life, but give me your soul and I am being preparing to live the width of it. (paraphrasing the words of Diane Ackerman)
And that is what really matters.
Rich