Here is the wisdom gleaned from the empty bowl today: follow your passion.
My 9 year old son spent the entire afternoon working through math puzzles and challenges in a book I recently purchased him called Math for Smarty Pants. This book is the perfect unschooling book as it is not the traditional math text. It is also the perfect book for encouraging and developing critical thinking skills. For years I have wanted to step away from the more traditional forms of education (I am a former teacher so even if this is my intention, the patterns are so deeply imbedded in me that I am not even aware of the subtle and perhaps not so subtle schooling patterns I send to my children). But today, thanks to my son, he showed me what it looks like to step away from an inherited pattern. I know I send him messages that traditional schooling methods are what we adhere to in this house even if I give a great amount of lip service to the idea that all of life is learing, all of life is home education. I know I send him schooling messages beacause all afternoon he kept asking for reassurance: "Mom, are sure it is okay I spend the afternoon doing these problems?" He also periodically apologized for how he spent his time. I reassured him that this is what I have always hoped for, a pattern of learning that looked like this: finding something you are so interested in that you do not want to step away from it. Finding something you love and following its path because it is a passion directed by one's soul and not an external force. The authentic self should be encouraged to flourish and live freely.
I have known for some time that reading and problem solving are two of my son's passions. But he showed me today doing your passion is also a way of being in this world. I used to think of these two words as separate but they are intricately related. Being and doing are perhaps the dance steps of the soul.
Hoping we all are tuned in to our passions. And hoping we all make some time for the soul to dance.
fyi: I have a friend who has lots to say about following one's passions ( http://www.your-passion-coach.com/ ) and finding your life's big rocks. It is worth a look and a listen.
I found you!! This is Carol from IU. I don't see your email on here or I would have sent you an email. Email me please: caroljdunn@hotmail.com. It's been too long my old friend!
ReplyDeleteLovely... I struggle to find that space, too, around my children as they are absorbed in something... to let them go at their own pace. To let them be but remain available and present. It is like you explained about the legos in another post. My presence, physically there but involved in my own something (physical -- doesn't work with the computer :), can facilitate so much. We are Being Together.
ReplyDeleteI am so glad you commented on my blog -- I have been absorbed in yours all morning.
Thank you.
Blessings,
Stacy