Got Laughter?

When you teach 3 year olds to 8th graders, you have to be ready for anything. Sometimes I think, "What would another teacher think about the way I teach?" or "I don't think another teacher would handle it this way." Most of the time, instead of disciplining the students (which another teacher may do), I can't help but laugh. Of course, I don't do this with all the classes. In some cases, if I encourage a little, they go to the extreme and chaos may erupt. However, I can't help it sometimes. I laugh at things the students do or say as long as it's appropriate and they know not to take advantage of it and go to the extreme. Today I was laughing so hard I was crying.

I was practicing with a few students for the Christmas program. One girl was in a small singing group and had the giggles. The methods she was using to "get rid of her laughter" had me cracking up. They might have helped her, but the plan backfired on me. I was crying from laughing so hard. This was good because getting ready for a Christmas program is stressful.

Joy and laughter does increase motivation. Maybe some teachers would discipline more when I would simply laugh, but I'm content with how I manage my classroom as long as the students know the boundaries of controlled fun in the classroom.

Check out this video about the fun theory. Last time I checked, this video had over 8 million views.

High Expectations

Since entering the monastery in 2001, I've gone through an 8 year conversion process. I told a retreat director once that I'd like to reach a plateau, just a leveling off or break from all this growing and changing. It just proves how much growing and changing is needed.

A plateau and a break would be nice, but I know I'm in need of lots more change. One thing I would like to change is the level of expectation I put on myself. At times, it's brutal. Sometimes I perceive it as coming from others. Often it's my own doing.

I remember one summer helping my grandpa on his farm. Since I was 20, and he was 80, logic told me that I should work 4 times as hard. If you knew my grandpa, even being able to match the work he did at 80 would have been an accomplishment. Quadrupling it would have been impossible. He was a hard worker and also very wise. Surprisingly, he would say to me, "Take a break. Get a drink. Rest a bit." He knew how to work, but also how to rest and take care of himself. A good balance for success.

Somewhere when I was growing up, I got the idea that I was supposed to know everything right away. I've just about driven myself crazy with this belief. Somehow I was to jump from beginner to proficient without all the steps in between.

For example, I remember wanting to take piano lessons when I was 7. However, I didn't start taking lessons until I was 24. Therefore, my reasoning told me I had 17 years to make up. Of course, there was no time to waste. I had to do it overnight. Do you know how exhausting it is to think like that?

In the situation with my grandpa and with the piano, my expectations of myself were unreasonable and impossible. We are very blessed at the monastery with wise mentors who see things more reasonably. When I look at what I think I "should" be, they help me see logically what truly is. I know I can't jump to the final step after taking only the first one. With practice, hard work, and perseverance, I can reach the final step, but only by taking the other ones in between as well.

I have definitely grown a great deal since entering the monastery, and I know I still have lots to learn. Thankfully there are many wise women here who teach me. . . . . . . It looks like it may be a while before I reach a plateau in my personal journey.

Fall Weekend

Although Friday evening, Oct. 30, was windy with rain, children and grandchildren of the monastery employees came to trick-or-treat. There were tiny skeletons and goblins, Egyptian princesses, football players, and some unidentifiable creatures among the guests.
Saturday was a much more beautiful day, and the schedule afforded time for some leisurely activities. Today, Sunday, is gorgeous and a great day for a long walk. Later on I will be making some of my regular weekend phone calls to catch up with friends.

Halloween

We celebrated Halloween at school yesterday. It is fun to see all the kids in their costumes. Some of them are very unique and interesting like a twister game and a chickmagnet. Then you have the usual witches and princess. We walked as a school down mainstreet Rockport and the businesses gave out candy. I was grateful that the rain held out until it was over.

Sunday Morning Thoughts

I've had a busy weekend with community meetings and getting together with friends at the monastery, and I've enjoyed every minute of it. Coming to the monastery Friday night, I was tired after a long week of work. (Work was very good- but I had LOTS on my plate, so it was quite busy). But, it has been so nice to connect with everyone, laugh a lot, eat great food, and hang out with some amazing people- just watching TV, dancing together, or whatever. Then, today I get to go to a meeting to get ready for an upcoming Teens Encounter Christ weekend- which I'm looking forward to. So, I feel refreshed and ready to tackle grading Algebra tests and writing Fox in The Box results this week!

God's Beauty . . . . Do You See It?

I wonder what the world would be like if we all truly believed and didn't lose sight of the fact that we are created by God. We are wonderfully and beautifully made even when we mess up or don't know something. We are wonderfully and beautifully made even when we've worked hard, but things didn't go the way we planned. We are wonderfully and beautifully made even with all our flaws and imperfections. We are wonderfully and beautifully made even when we forget something, make a mistake, or don't meet another's expectations. We are wonderfully and beautifully made when we say the wrong thing, do the wrong thing, or show up at the wrong place. We are wonderfully and beautifully made because we are children of God. God created us; so therefore, we never want to insult God or any of God's creations.

How much different our lives and our world would be if we truly believed and lived out of the fact that God loves us. We are created by God. We are wonderfully and beautifully made.

We all deserve a place in this universe. Build yourself up by knowing that God loves you. God created you. You are wonderfully and beautifully made.

New Songs

I may have stepped up the "coolness ladder" at school. When the 7th and 8th graders participate and behave well, I let them listen to a song of their choice at the end of class. These have to be preapproved songs appropriate for school. I choose a person who then chooses a song from the list. The students enjoy it. They seem to behave and participate better (at least most of them or they lose the privilege). I also have benefited by being exposed to new music and by becoming aware of the students' favorite songs.

Some of the songs they listen to are extremely sad and touching. One such song is "Alyssa Lies" by Jason Michael Carroll. If you haven't heard it, please look it up. It's a country song about child abuse.

I believe that music gives us a way to express ourselves when words fail. Oftentimes, the music expresses feelings the students (or adults, for that matter) may not be able to articulate on their own. Sometimes the words express loneliness, confusion, or a desire to change oneself or the world.

I'm glad I'm able to hear the music the students are listening to so that I can understand the students better. I become aware of what music they enjoy and what songs affect them.

Sister Kristine Anne, Sister Betty, and Sister Jane didn't plan it, but today they ended up wearing a slight version of our "new look!" Our new colors for publications are shades of blue, purple, orange, and green. When I saw them and asked if I could take their picture, they were good sports about it.

Sister Kristine Anne is our prioress (superior). Sister Betty is the monastery coordinator, making sure all those little, and some not so little things run smoothly here. Sister Jane is our subprioress.

Have you seen our new logo and colors? If not, check out our web page for a peek. http://www.thedome.org/