Week 4 Readings – Being the Board, Creating Frameworks, and Telling the WE Story

Grace under fire, being the board. 

Apparently, this well-known compliment that is given to those of us who keep ourselves together when all around us is crumbling, comes from owning the risks that we take in a world out of our control. I like this phrase, I like what it stands for, and I like others who demonstrate its power. I think I may get it tattooed on my forehead…well let’s not get carried away, but I will keep it at the top of my list of goals. Be the board, show grace under fire:

Show grace under fire – life is probably less stressful that way.

Be open-minded – then the world is a more interesting place.

(Art Trek trip to Spain, 2008)

Be a good friend – you can’t have too many friends.

Be patient, and apparently kind too.

Affecting Change, creating Frameworks.

Thankfully, at least in this country, we have a choice each day to live our lives in any way we choose. What are the possibilities? This is the question we should be asking ourselves. How can I affect change on those around me, on myself, on the world? I suppose that it is impossible to truly make these considerations on a daily basis. But if more people, especially those of us that hold children’s lives in our hands, were to take a moment to care and share and support those around us, I am sure that we would have more successes and fewer failures.

Reflection. Telling the "we" story.  I know that over many years in education and coaching, I have received thank-you’s from students and their parents about positive ways that I have affected them. I always appreciate the end of the school year or season, because it is a time of reflection. I think that is why the thanks come out. We reflect back on the time together, what we meant to each other, and how we got through the hard times, and how we celebrated the best times. The “WE” story really doesn’t have to be anything BIG, it just has to be special. Taking the time to care is really what the “Art of Possibility” by Zander is all about. Putting the needs of others first, sharing the wealth we each have inside our hearts, minds and souls. When we do these simple things, the rewards to us and them are enormous.

Tomorrow morning at 4:30 a.m. when 14 high school art students (we call it Art Trek), myself, and a fellow teacher of mine head off to Italy, we will all be experiencing the possibilities of a choices in life. One of travel and art, and culture and opportunities that await because we aren't afraid of the possibilities. We are champions of possibilities. We are one BIG possibility waiting to happen! and it will be worth every sacrifice to experience it. We will create memories, we will make friends, we will grow in our understanding of the world, and we will come back changed forever. The reflections will be spectacular this year! 

So, if you are a teacher, volunteer to share extra-curricular time with your students. Go to their concerts, school plays and sporting events. Be a club advisor or coach. Help them with community service. But most of all, get involved. Who knows, your reward may be to accompany them on a trip of a lifetime!