In the first days of a new school year, we teachers are setting the expectations and standards for our classrooms. It’s about future workability in our classrooms and in our lives.
But we can’t set these expectations only for the future, or else we fall into the trap of forcing outcomes and using the ends to justify disrespectful means.
What’s the best way to cultivate compassion, integrity, creativity, and curiosity in my classroom? Embody all those things on the first day and every day after. Those words aren’t just outcomes to me - they’re a way of life as a teacher.
What’s the best way to cultivate health, enjoyment, love, and effective action in our lives? Plant seeds of those things in this present moment.
This moment is the seed of all future moments. Regardless of whatever we’ve done and whoever we’ve been in the past, this moment is the beginning of what comes next. What are you planting?
Take those actions now that support a thriving future for yourself and the people you care about. If you’re stressed, relax and let your spinning mind settle - we do our clearest and most creative and effective thinking when our minds are calm. If you’re anxious, take some deep breaths and ground yourself in what you know to be true.
What do you want to create more of in the future? Love, enjoyment, ease, peace of mind, passion, excitement, connection? What else?
We’re constantly tending our garden for the future. The secret to tending it well: fall in love, in the present, with gardening.
If you want to be healthy, learn to enjoy making healthy choices now - see the benefit for the future, yes, but also see the benefit for you now. If you want great relationships, practice being honest, courageous, and compassionate - your future self will thank you, and your present self will be empowered and connected.
What would you like to have in your future? Plant seeds for it now and tend that garden.
“All that exists is the seed of what will emerge from it.” - Marcus Aurelius
Thanks so much for reading. ❤️
P.S. Intentional conversations are a powerful way to plant seeds for the future. They work on our conscious and our subconscious minds. If you're interested in exploring what seeds for the future I can help you plant, reach out and let's have a conversation!
Comments