Jenn's Homework

Before Keir headed out to visit his parents in Sarnia mid-November, he handed me a book and said, "I've got some homework for you to do".

The book was Dr. Lance Secretan's "The Spark, The Torch, and The Flame".

The homework was to complete the first three reflection exercises.

As Keir and I begin to consolidate our reflections of the year and manifest our intentions for our future it has proven important for us to not just continue to have good conversations but to record the content of our discussions. While we don't always remember to do so, we are getting better at it!

So, the homework...

While there are many examples of the exercises accessible (and many that we have already tried with career counsellors, and in our other readings and explorations), the ones in Dr. Secretan's book are handy in that Keir happens to be in the midst of reading it!

The first exercise was to create a Destiny Statement - a statement about THE PURPOSE or the WHY we are here.

The second exercise was to create a Character Statement - a summarizing statement about how we want to BE in the world.

The third exercise was to create a Calling Statement - a statement about what we will DO to FULFILL the Destiny and Character Statements. Essentially, what our life's work will happen through.

This brought up some really big emotions in me.

For me it was that, although I am a gifted teacher, I am very reluctant to head back into teaching in a traditional way. I have been unable to find a place to teach (traditional or otherwise) that mirrors my beliefs about how education can be. That is not to say that those places aren't out there (we both would like to believe that they indeed are!), it is just that I haven't FOUND them or been LEAD to them yet.

The alternative to finding a place to teach would be to CREATE a place to teach. While that is much more appealing there is a wealth of complications that come with that endeavour and the timing doesn't seem quite right yet. The third option I see as a viable avenue to carry out my life's work is to return to school - most likely to work towards a Doctorate or PhD in Education. That isn't ultimately pulling me forward in enthusiasm either, but it does offer a way to find substantiating "evidence" for teaching in the way I desire.

So... back to the Homework! In the process of transparency, here are my statements:

Destiny/WHY I am Here: To inspire a higher consciousness and encourage the generosity of spirit

Character/HOW I will be: To be a present, optimistic and inspiring presence in the lives of others

Calling Statement/WHAT I will do: To teach, nurture and be curiosity, creativity and presence