Contemplative Leadership

“The world bursts at the seams with people ready to tell you you’re not good enough. On occasion, some may be correct. But do not do their work for them. Seek any job; ask anyone out; pursue any goal. Don’t take it personally when they say ‘no’ — they may not be smart enough to say ‘yes.” — Keith Olberman

 

This quote came my way earlier today through a friend on Instagram which is one of my favorite social networks. It impressed me so much that I shared it with my students and I hope that helped improve their self esteem today. Too many times we send or receive the wrong messages about ourselves and those we come in contact with each day. We all fall short of our ideals, but it’s quotes like that one that bring the importance of a humble belief in our own abilities and worth that can have a transformational effect not only on ourselves but all of those around us. Christians will soon begin the season of Advent. Besides the liturgical meaning of Advent there is the traditional meaning which is the arrival of a notable person or event. I hope that we can all experience an arrival of significance in our own lives and the lives of the people we meet each day.

Take time to tell those around you how much they mean to you. Complement everyone you  meet. Go out of your way to be a positive influence in your workplace.

In August I was fortunate to be able to attend a day long seminar sponsored by St. Bonaventure University and led by Dr. Charles Walker. I cannot remember the title but the theme was about the impact and implications of positive psychology in the classroom. The majority of the participants were from area K-12 schools. The following exercise is taken from Dr. Walker’s materials. I’ve been trying to add more of these materials and concepts to my own teaching. Have any of you considered doing the same?

Joy: When have you felt utterly glad and elated about? When has your joy and happiness naturally led to wonderful creative playfulness. 

Gratitude: Who fully deserves to be thanked by you? What “gifts” of yours are you most appreciative of? What has happened to you that you are most grateful for?

Serenity: What has been your source of solace, the person or place you confidently turn to for relaxation, peace and serenity?

Interest: What or who has been most responsible for making you feel alert, alive and curious? What or who has opened eyes to new discoveries and increased your thirst for learning?

Hope: What about your experience has increased your sense of hope and optimism? What or who replaced your worries with exciting realistic possibilities for the future?

Pride: When and what have you done that is praiseworthy? What accomplishments and achievements have authentically given you reason to be proud of yourself?

Humor: What or who makes you laugh? When do you enjoy playful banter and simple amusement with others? When does humor give you comic insight on the world around you?

Inspiration: When has your spirit been elevated by the goodness and excellence you have witnessed in others? Who has inspired you? What has stirred you?

Awe: Have you encountered truly beautiful things in your life? Has art or the natural environment aroused a sense of awe and wonderment in you? Has anything overwhelmed you with its grandeur?

Love: Have your experiences in life helped you to find and deepen warm, trusting, comfortable loving relationships with others? Have you found a person who amplifies all the other positive emotions of joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, humor, inspiration and awe? Have you built a relationship of mutual respect? Do you cherish someone and are you cherished?

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on how my lack of public reflection on this blog has been hindering my best efforts to get some feedback on my thinking. Last week I spent several days at the NYSCATE Annual Conference at the Riverside Convention Center in Rochester, New York. I had the privilege of presenting on my experiences with digital publishing and then the co-equal privilege of listening to a number of great presentations on a variety of topics including educational technology leadership.

While it is tempting to see educational technology as a panacea for our troubled educational system. If we just had another tablet, laptop or interactive whiteboard we’d provide the kind of school environment which will adequately prepare our students for the 21st century.  Teaching children how to think is the imperative that we need. None of us will ever be able to approximate what the future holds. We need classrooms where creativity and collaboration are celebrated. We need learning spaces where children are not taught the correct answer but instead invited to experiment and make mistakes.

Children are curious by nature. Let’s celebrate that! Let’s encourage that! I plan on being more active here and I hope that what I blog about will create some discussion or thought and will encourage you to invite your students to think and to reflect on what they are thinking.