Power

Discipline

Today I had a great conversation, one that will stay with me for years, I think. It didn’t surprise me because I have meaningful talks with this guy often. He’s insightful, funny, tough, and intelligent. But today he messed up. More accurately, today is when I found out he messed up. Because of his positive reputation up to now, we spent lunch having what we call “a strong talk”, while the paperwork for a referral for either in-school suspension or lunch or after-school detention sat there as I asked his version of the story.

As usual, he told me the truth, as difficult as it was for him to do. Then he kept talking. He let me know why he’s starting to get angry—what’s happening around him and within him. He gave no excuses for his behavior.  He even said if he were the other boy involved how he would feel. There was no violence, just hateful words. He understands I feel as strongly about hate-filled words as I do physical violence. It was uncharacteristic, and that’s why it stood out. Boys will not just be boys all the time. That is a societal cop out. Not when it incites fear. Not when it’s disguised as a “joke”. And not when I find out the source of the anger and it’s fixable. I told him the consequences, part of which backfired. {Lunch detention doesn’t work when the kid wants to eat lunch with his teacher because school is almost over and he’s sad about that.}

There are hard days at this school, with this age. Nothing was harder than looking this child in his eyes and telling him I was disappointed in him. But it had to be said, and it had to be said by me. Nothing else made me realize more that I was made for this than when I could have this talk with him, and provide whatever discipline was necessary. It would mean more; it would hurt him in the right, fair way. No yelling, no accusations. A conversation.

I told him he is one of the very reasons I get up and teach every day. He helped me find my purpose in life, without ever trying. He doesn’t have to be perfect, but he does have to choose his friends wisely. I reminded him every child in that school deserves to feel as safe and cared for as he does by all of us, and the boy he was unkind to is a favorite of mine too, and it will be made right. That’s HIS job. We’ll see. I know I put a lot of trust in children, but only in the ones who have earned it. Damn it, it’s tough when they violate that trust. But it’s not personal; they’re trying to figure out who they are. And that’s an exact quote from a very wise 11 year old.

Soccer, family, girls, becoming somebody, and respect are the most important things to him. He asked me if I still respected him before we left.

I told him I never stopped.

s. Jensen

5-5-1

The Short Word

There is no word more powerful. There is nothing that can stop it. There is nothing that can stand in its way. Hate, fear, and cynicism pale in comparison. It can move mountains. It can reach the depths of the sea. It progresses people forward. It drags the rest along kicking and screaming. It has led to the fall of tyrants and it has instilled hope in us all. There is nothing more powerful than love.

 

Thanks for entering my world,

-Nathan 

My Strength

Some people find strength in their relationships. They look to loved ones for guidance. Their trusted partner or spouse acts like a sounding board providing wisdom, concern and direction. 

I haven't been afforded this opportunity in a very long time. To some degree, friends and family have filled the void. Try as they may, they can never offer the advice given by someone who knows you on an intimate level. 

Instead of a reliance on others, I have had to reach within to pull my strength from without. Which made me recently question the source of my strength. It comes from several places: 

  1. Pride 
  2. Humility 
  3. A deep seated desire to leave this world better than I found it
  4. A desire to help those who cannot help themselves. 
  5. A wish to make those around me smile
  6. Promise from those I love
  7. A simple notion, "this life is not my own" 
  8. A simple quote from Mr. Hemingway, "The world is a fine place, and worth fighting for." 
  9. A simple Greek proverb, "Society becomes great when old men plant trees whose shade they shall never sit it." 
  10. An unyielding pursuit of the truth through knowledge

So, strength can come from many places, but the key, as always, is how to use the power. 

 

Thanks for entering my world, 

-Nathan