Hope

I remember going into the Counselor’s suite at Nacogdoches High School in 1983.  They had announced there was an opportunity to take college courses during the summer, while still in high school.  It piqued my interest.

I remember the counselor scanning my high school transcript.  A’s and B’s with one C.  Sophomore English.  Why did I get a C?  I remember intercepting a progress report that was to my parents.  It said “Libby always seems to try.”  I didn’t try.

               

The counselor scanned my grades and quickly dismissed me saying my grades were not good enough.  No options, no hope.

Ironically it didn’t faze me.  I was going to college—it didn’t matter when really, now or later, but I was going regardless of what she thought.

And to college I went.  Bachelor’s degree.  Master’s Degree.  Doctorate.  I got them all.  I wonder now what that counselor would say if I were to meet her?  I know one thing she’d say and that’s “Dr. Wallace!”

How does a person dismiss another’s potential?  She could not see the tsunami forming inside me.  But she still tried to dismiss the tide.

How is it we have individuals in the public school systems who dim a child’s hope?  Do people think they are helping when they diminish hope?

On the tip of the tongue of every adult working with students should be “you have amazing potential, what do you dream of?”  Then build from there—do not deconstruct hope, find a footing for it and start building! 

Writing for my Soul

I believe writing (long-hand, in a journal) is an essential, dare I say, critical tool one MUST engage in, in order to have true growth in life.

I have been a journal-er for years.  I derive so much from long-handed writing that I literally, in 2013-2014 did my entire doctoral dissertation in writing before typing it up.  When changes were needed, I wrote them as well then edited my original document.

I find the process of writing deeply revealing.  Information which has never come into your mind is suddenly appearing on the pages as you allow it to siphone from your brain to the paper with no filters.

I believe daily writing (in the morning because you are still in the spirit of shaping your day) connects you to the world.  I’ve discovered my deep love of certain things in the world around me through allowing my pen to float along the page as I think about general happenings.  I have solidified political stances and changed my mind as I presented my arguments to myself.  Writing connects us deeply into our world.

Writing nudges us to remember and connects us with our deepest longing.  Years into my current career I answered the question “when you were a child playing, what game or scenario was your favorite?”  I knew the answer immediately!  TEACHING!  But further still I loved making worksheets, guided learning papers, and test which I required my poor cousin to complete.

When I realized this, I didn’t immediately quite my job in order to teach, but I do look for ways each week which allow me to have a little time writing which also makes my heart sing.

Frederick Bueckner, noted theologian, said “where our greatest passion meets the world’s greatest needs, there we find our vocation.”

Through exploring oneself slowly and intentionally one may just find vocation and much clarity.

Writing allows passions to rise and the clarity to either know to stoke the flame or let it burn out.

Often when we are upset about something, a personal slight, a rude customer, or we are just having a bad day, we can let it rip in our journal.  We can scream using ALL CAPS and exclamation points !!!!!!!!! and this allows us to et it out of our system without another human being having to survive our emotion tsunami.

By the same experience, we may realize that we have had a life-long love for gardening and decide to experiment with setting up apartment gardens for assisted-living apartments.  With pen in hand, we may learn how to fan the flame from spark to roaring fire.

Writing, I have found, soothes my soul and connects me with Spirit by being blessed with self-understanding, direction, and intention.

May writing benefit you greatly as well.

Heart-Centered Work

I was reading a note from someone who is self-employed.  She made mention of loving her work in a heart-centered environment.  This description made me think about heart-centeredness in the work environment.

Of course being self-employed with work that allows you to pour from your soul has its benefits such as you can set your own hours and not be required to drag yourself into the office if you don’t want to do so.

Another perk of heart-centered self-employment—you are not subject to the whims of a moody boss.  However you are subject to the whims of the moody self!

While heart-centered self-employment allows for nimble response to stakeholders, there is also no buffer against certain things which employment in a larger organization allows for more insulation.

In short though—doesn’t heart-centered work sound attractive to most of us?  Wouldn’t it be fair to say that doing work that makes your heart sing is possible in self-employment as well as organizational employment?

It might be that workers are even able to focus on core values or organizational vision to center themselves if they have to endure a short-term difficulty.

Here are thoughts about being heart-centered regardless of the organizational structure.

1.      Do any of your weekly tasks/meetings/projects fill you with energy and happiness?

2.     Do you recognize a greater good even when completing a task/meeting/project that is not your favorite?

3.     Can you see yourself doing this work in various organizational structures?

I encourage you to delve into these questions and think about your values.  It is worthy to think we might all find heart-centered work regardless of the structure we function in daily.

May your work make your heart sing!

“In Defense of Spirituality (With or Without Religion)”

I read an excellent article today by Tina Rowley entitled “In Defense of Spirituality (With or Without Religion).”  Ms. Rowley wrote,

I’m tired.  Carl, everybody—I’m tired.  I’m tired of feeling like I should be ashamed of my spiritual orientation…I’m tired of my own fear.  It’s time to speak up for myself and for anyone else who’s been tip toeing around, keeping their spiritual orientation a secret for fear of ridicule.  Enough is enough.

Wow!  What a powerful stance.  It’s one of those statements which one person simply stands up.  Then a second, quietly follows.  Then a third until hundreds form a sea of solidarity.  Count me in!

Tina Rowley you are a quiet revolutionary and you captured my mind, heart, and soul.  For far too long we’ve sat silently at the table as the banter escalated.  We retreated, thought about it, and returned.  Now it is time to simply state “I have something to say” and then confidently interject our reason and resolute perspectives.

We have answers, we have questions, but most of all we have a voice.  So friends, stop your chaos, inhale, hold on to that breath, claim it as yours, then allow it to release from your body, tides of stress, anxiety, and attitude.  Let it melt away.  Your core is safe, it is solid, and you may put your fists down.  Put them by your side and release the tension.  There is another way.  Not right.  Not wrong.  Just different.  Let peace find you and wrap you in your knowing.

Let that still, small voice whisper to you.  We can get things done.  Together—not apart.  Let us unite and embrace, knowing a solution lies between us, only found in our synergy.  Let us hold tight and let go—all at the same time.

This moment, let it be ours—let us know that at this moment, we were true, we were brace, and we met with a great Being and Peace descended upon us all.