fear – T.R.U.E. G.R.I.T.

I’ve been pondering my #OneWord for 2018 over the last few days. Many words have spun through my mind, but yesterday I actually experienced one that spoke to me.

Pure “goodness” is what I witnessed as we drove home from the mountains in the frigid cold of winter.

A bitter day. A mere heat burst had just come through and lifted us up to 9 degrees. Not the type of weather you want to be out in.

As we sat in our cozy warm truck we thought nothing of the hours of driving ahead. Never once did we think we would need anyone but ourselves to make this simple journey home… one that has been driven countless times.

Never once did we think we would need to rely on goodness in this world. In a society that lives with such fear and ugliness.

Do you worry? Do you fear harm coming your way… often wondering if pure goodness still walks the earth. I am not a natural worrier, but I do have others in my life that are… that find it difficult to trust, especially once they are scarred by fear.

I live in the moment. Generally not worrying about what lies ahead.

I believe in good.

The moral compass of goodness.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the world is not filled with kindness and those paying it forward. But as much as I feel goodness is a lot like acts of kindness, I do see a difference. As I create and instill this value with my students, these random acts can be calculated and in the safety of our own terms and conditions. Yes, they are amazing and wonderful and need to happen… even if we have to create the opportunity ourselves. However, I feel goodness spontaneously spills over in a moment… not necessarily a choice but rather a “moral or value” to live by.

goodness (ˈɡʊdnɪs)
n
1. the state or quality of being good
2. generosity; kindness
3. moral excellence; piety; virtue

Pure goodness is what I felt yesterday… moral excellence in another person.

As we drove down the highway, our check engine light came on and we had to pull over. Just as we came to a stop, we put our hazards on warning others of our situation. That’s when I witnessed goodness… a vehicle pulled up behind us without hesitation. Let’s face it, most people drive right by those in need… most likely assuming everyone travels with a phone these days and the chance of something bad happening overpowers the good.

We were lucky enough to not need assistance so we waved him along. He waved back and off he went down the highway. Pure Goodness rang through me. I had warmth in my soul. It felt to me to be beyond a random act of kindness. To me it felt that the traveler lived in the moment of goodness… the right thing to do… so pure.

This moment stayed with me for the rest of the ride. I never actually met the person, nor did he physically do anything to impact me, but his goodness had a lasting effect. The kind that changes the world. The kind that changes it for the better!

So I choose GOODNESS… PURE GOODNESS! I want to be able to give another person that same rekindled spirit and belief that there is goodness in the world. I want to act on what I believe and not live in fear of what the world has shown us through the lens of destruction. I myself have been a part of that destruction on a smaller scale. Maybe not news worthy, but so not okay nontheless. Oh, I mess up… life gets tricky. I have chosen a less admirable path over time… truth. I make no excuses. I own it. Now, I am empowered… with a better choice. I will take this opportunity and I will own it!

As Pirate leaders and teachers, we refer back to a compass quite often as we steer learning and leading within our districts and communities. Having my compass continuously point to good is so challenging when I am faced with negativity and unkind words. It is so crippling to have others choose negativity towards my actions of an open mindset. A mindset I have been blessed with through the actions of George Couros, the author and speaker that is changing the face of education with an educational best seller “Innovator’s Mindset”.

This year my compass will point to goodness. The pure kind to which my actions will live in every moment. I won’t overthink the reaction. I will not fear the negative closed mindset of individuals too afraid to create positive change. I will not fear being disliked. I will not fear being called out by closed mindsets. So go ahead…

Call me out…

because I will become the good! Compass set… I will strive for pure goodness!

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Overcoming adversity builds T.R.U.E.G.R.I.T … small setbacks build character. Setbacks come in different forms, especially in education. Many see change as a setback, something that will disappoint and have complications. The fear of change has always had an influence on the mood of teachers, students, and parents alike. You can see it in a person’s eyes. The fear that creeps over them when you are trying to explain what is about to take place. The questions forming in their minds with every word spoken. You find yourself in that moment choosing which road you are going to travel.

Do you continue to move ahead with change or do you comply and conform? Do you actually have a choice?

Have you ever sat in your first in-service day of the year to hear the changes that are coming your way? The kind of change that is done just for the sake of change and not necessarily for the better. You find your entire body tightening up as if you cannot take one more word. You wonder how all your optimism could possibly leave your body in 20 seconds or less. You spend the following hours telling yourself to wipe away the negativity so that you can get back to your happy place. The place where you just redecorated your classroom that awaits smiling, optimistic, and excited children. Is this a setback? My guess is that the change in which creates that tense feeling is most often not change for the better,

I’m one to choose the road less traveled. Yet compliancy is at the forefront. Compliance is not just a term we use with students. It has been a professional responsibility that has inhibited my teaching and growth for many years forcing me back on a one lane highway… traveling in one direction with head on traffic. George Couros (author of Innovator’s Mindset) states, “Compliance does not foster innovation. In fact, demanding conformity does quite the opposite.” Where was George when I needed him for his perspective? The right perspective can help make the impossible possible!

“Listen to the mustn’ts, child. Listen to the don’ts. Listen to the shouldn’ts, the impossibles, the won’ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me… Anything can happen, child. Anything can be.” ― Shel Silverstein

Then there was the in-service day that did change! The one that went from a hot sticky auditorium (with a lecture on how we need to be better before we even get our fresh start) to an air-conditioned banquet hall with the high school’s marching band loudly playing the fight song just for their teachers. The change that gives you chills and resets your inspirational compass so that it points straight forward. My guess is that the change that gives you chills is the kind that George Couros is talking about… Innovation! The kind that has your innovative administration ( Dr. Jacie Maslyk Dr. Michelle Miller #PLF) challenging you to open a #twitter account and connect with other educators in the crusade to remake learning. The kind of administration that TRUSTS you with social media.

What about that change? George Couros says, “Change is an opportunity to do something amazing.” #InnovatorsMindset

My current administration has brought on many changes… positive changes… innovative changes! We now have permission to choose how we will teach the common core standards in our own individual classrooms in place of being on the same page, on the same day, just like all other classrooms in the district. We now have tech-fest where lead learners step up and share their knowledge to help push our district forward. We now have trust to choose #flexibleseating as an option for a learning environment that challenges and encourages all children. We now have permission to blend our curriculum so that we are no longer teaching the same concepts in 3 different subject areas according to the map. We now have district goals to engage all students every day, all day- to show purpose, passion, and pride in school and throughout the community. This change is AMAZING!

For me it is always my mindset that turns things around. Setback or serendipity? I’ll choose the road less traveled! As George Couros says, “We need to make the positive so loud that the negative becomes almost impossible to hear.”

Tag: fear

#OneWord2018 pure “GOODNESS”

#IMMOOC Week 1: Setback or Serendipity: choosing the road less traveled.