Last year I ended the year with a special project. We all contributed to a list of different things we would remember about our school year together and then I created a little book and gave one to each child. It's a way for us to think back on the year and end on a high note, thinking of the things we will miss but reframing it as things we want to remember.
"A child should be taught by example, by actions, not words alone. Once or twice is enough to tell him what quality you wish him to cultivate, and then mentally hold the thought, not giving up until it is an accomplished fact. Think up new and suitable methods to engage his interest and to encourage good qualities. Teach him with love and reason, never with anger or unreasonableness. A change of environment and company should be made, if necessary. Let him understand that you have his best interest at heart."
We worked on our list today in our class call and it was a wonderful reminder of all the awesome learning and fun that was had the first 6 months of school. Despite the last 2 plus months of craziness it really was a great school year and I'm going to really miss this class. In fact I have been missing them already!
I really enjoyed writing up the awards I will give each of them this year. In the past it's been a bit challenging to give it time and energy in the midst of all the other end-of-the-year activities. I think having this distance has made it a bit easier to get perspective on each of them and focus more on their best qualities rather than the day-to-day interactions and annoyances. Sometimes it can be challenging to really see and appreciate the best qualities in the people that are closest to us. We get so caught our daily routines and habits and it's hard to step back and see the bigger picture, to see who they really are in that moment and who they are becoming. But that's the real secret of relating to others and helping them to grow: always holding that vision of their highest potential foremost in your mind. Not as a judgement or a demand but as a possibility and encouraging them towards that.
This quote from Paramhansa Yogananda's introduction to his Psychological Chart (see below) really captures this idea best (italics added):
"A child should be taught by example, by actions, not words alone. Once or twice is enough to tell him what quality you wish him to cultivate, and then mentally hold the thought, not giving up until it is an accomplished fact. Think up new and suitable methods to engage his interest and to encourage good qualities. Teach him with love and reason, never with anger or unreasonableness. A change of environment and company should be made, if necessary. Let him understand that you have his best interest at heart."
Psychological Chart : short version // long version
Erin, I really like what Master says here ; mentally hold the thought, not giving up until it is an accomplished fact. Very interesting!!!
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