We
are a success-focused society. We strive to do more, earn more, BE more than
those who came before us.
There
is nothing wrong with being driven to find success, especially when it
motivates us in positive ways. But what happens when we get out of balance?
What happens when what we are striving for is impractical or even unattainable?
More importantly, how will we know the difference?
I have a lot of discomfort with traditional systems of behavior
management; especially the ones that hang at the front of the classroom for all to
see. I take one look at these, and I cringe:
Now here’s the thing: images like these are ALL OVER
Pinterest. And who doesn’t love Pinterest? It’s a glorious treasure trove of
inspiration and ideas for just about anything. It has the potential to be any
classroom teacher’s happy place. But let’s be honest, when we see something
that’s been endorsed (in this case re-pinned) thousands of times, it’s seems like an idea we must try. After all, if thousands of people like it, how can it be
bad?
It’s kind of amazing that I have made it almost to the end
of alphabet without feeling stuck; even when some of the topics I have explored
in this series seem so similar to one another. For example, you might think
that I would have struggled to write G
is to Grab Partners after already writing C
is to Collaborate. Or that there would be too much similarity between H
is to Hold High Expectations and E
is to Expect Competence.
Nevertheless, I found myself with so much content that it
was easy to take these posts in a variety of directions. Until now.
I know that when we yearn for more we tune in,
mindfully, to what we may not yet have. And hopefully, we begin to think about
and act upon the ways that we can bring those dreams and goals to fruition.
And there is a distinct difference between yearning for more and never feeling
satisfied. Yearning an push us while a lack of satisfaction may simply
frustrate us.
So I want to take a little turn. I want to hear from YOU.
What are your thoughts about yearning for more when it comes to disability
inclusion? How does it inspire you? How do you use that yearning to propel
forward?
In case you missed it, The ABC's of Inclusion begins here.
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When I first created The ABC’s of Inclusion, you might have thought that "xoxo (generous affection)" was just a filler. (And let’s
be real, it’s tough to find “x” words, especially ones that are appropriate to the theme of inclusion.) Maybe you thought it was
just a logical extension of U is to Unconditionally Love; and it could be. But
I want to go in a different direction.
Our diversity gives us strength; it’s what makes us
interesting and it’s what makes us real. Working hard to ensure that each and
every community celebrates its diversity isn’t easy, but it’s oh so powerful.
As a leader (in a classroom, school, youth group, camp, organization,
etc.)
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