If I were to create a highlight reel of my life, there’d be a scene in which the camera panned into a kindergarten classroom. I’d be sitting in a rocking chair holding Ramona the Pest, Charlotte’s Web, or Tales of Fourth Grade Nothing in my hands.
Forty plus legs sitting criss-cross applesauce.
Forty plus hands folded and resting in their laps.
Forty plus eyes watching my facial expressions as I read and paused with questions encouraging little minds to think.
Every day after recess we’d meet and co-author the lives of Charlotte, Wilbur, Ramona, Beezus, Peter, and Fudge.
I can’t say why Ramona showed up in my thoughts yesterday. Perhaps it’s because the Akimbo workshop I’ve joined put out a prompt asking about our feelings? How do you feel about and respond to criticism?
I’m going to be blunt and say something unpopular.
My FEELINGS do not matter!
What matters is my response.
To respond appropriately, I first become aware of my feelings….and then step beyond them.
There was a time when we taught this to children through stories—(non) teaching at its finest.
Wilbur learned to be brave.
Ramona learned not to pull on Susan’s sproingy, blonde curls.
Peter learned to tolerate 2 1/2 year old Fudge’s annoying behavior.
Nowadays…..
Feelings rule the day.
Through marketing and media, we’ve learned how to bypass the masses thinking capabilities, aiming our arrows directly to the heart of feeling.
I don’t believe it is serving us well as a species.
Do you?
J. Krishnamurti appeared and held Ramona’s hand in my mind this morning….