You are younger now that you will ever be. Do yourself a favor and give up the age thing with numbers. And, if I may be so bold, remove the "What if's" and see what happens.....
Yeah, I actually follow that advice and wisdom more often than not; mainly used it as a rhetorical device there. BUT, your point is well taken and a good reminder on how to live a life free from regret. I love that sentiment about being as young as I’ll ever be. In the past, I’ve tacked it into: “today, you are as old as you’ve ever been, and as young as you’ll ever be. Which one will you stay focused on?”
I hear parts of Mexico have very affordable cost of living expenditures. Know anyone who could talk me into a retirement there???
Come for a visit and see for yourself. We visited 10-12 times over 20 years and “finally” landed where we are and where we first visited. Groceries and gas are about the same but rentals and sales are half and medical care which is very good is much less as are prescription drugs for those who need them. As for which I focus on, I am aware of growing older and grateful to still be growing, So that’s what I focus on, growing through learning and staying active. Did you see my earlier post, “Why We Moved to Mexico” ? It’s not for everyone.
Being and becoming are my two B words. This has been an 11 year process for me. Really glad to be in this space and feel the interconnected ripples. 🙏📿☺️
Kert thank you for this post, just what I needed. I think it is a bit affirming yet offers sage advice to ponder. We have the “Dolphin Way: Safe, Kind, Responsible” at our school but there are still behavior expectations that don’t fall into those 3 values. I’m especially thinking about how I can use the “Take care of yourself, take care of each other, take care of our classroom/school/community.” What might happen if I introduce these to my students by first telling them “Today we’re going to throw out all our classroom and school rules!”? I’m going to think on it and share with my admin. Again thank you for continuing to share your wisdom, to make the world a better place.
THANK YOU, Natalie! First, the students will be intrigued and think “free for all?” And then they start to realize something deeper—that you are empowering them to begin the life-skill of self-reflection with you mentoring them to think closely about how behavioral choices are first exactly that: choices. That second, they can create a gap between a stimulus and their response (the gap of thinking “how best do I respond that moves me closer to my better angel”) That third, you are giving them amazing and respectful language such that they can help each other by asking “when you call me that bad name, how is that taking care of me?” And finally (but there is so much more to this, that, if you go there, WITH your students, you will see): you are establishing standards of excellence that they themselves can use FOR themselves for the rest of their lives. Rules don’t do any of that. Students know rules are in place so the adults can keep control and power. Rules are done TO kids—establishing principles and responsibilities is done with them. They are highly individualistic too—a rule is typically applied to everyone; responsibilities are responsive to each individual and the context of the experience. I HIGHLY recommend you do everything in your power to convince your admin (if you absolutely feel you have to—then invite them to be a part of it with you and your class!) to move your class in this direction. The conversation with your class when you start to implement it can be quite wonderful—and it should always be a norm in your class that you do a “responsibility check in” every day—even allowing students to affirm their peers when they’ve noticed someone being super responsible.
This was a sweet, lovely read, Kert! But don't knock AARP - I was offended by the flyers at first, but I've taken advantage of a few hefty hotel and rental car discounts that made me swallow my pride. When you're ready, of course. 👵
Badass Kert. I love this. That’s da wrap.
You are younger now that you will ever be. Do yourself a favor and give up the age thing with numbers. And, if I may be so bold, remove the "What if's" and see what happens.....
Yeah, I actually follow that advice and wisdom more often than not; mainly used it as a rhetorical device there. BUT, your point is well taken and a good reminder on how to live a life free from regret. I love that sentiment about being as young as I’ll ever be. In the past, I’ve tacked it into: “today, you are as old as you’ve ever been, and as young as you’ll ever be. Which one will you stay focused on?”
I hear parts of Mexico have very affordable cost of living expenditures. Know anyone who could talk me into a retirement there???
Come for a visit and see for yourself. We visited 10-12 times over 20 years and “finally” landed where we are and where we first visited. Groceries and gas are about the same but rentals and sales are half and medical care which is very good is much less as are prescription drugs for those who need them. As for which I focus on, I am aware of growing older and grateful to still be growing, So that’s what I focus on, growing through learning and staying active. Did you see my earlier post, “Why We Moved to Mexico” ? It’s not for everyone.
100% resonate with this Kert — it took a bit of time for me, after we sold the business, to really believe “being is doing!”
I hear grandkids help in that regard. And quite a lot too!
Absolutely 💙
I enjoyed this very much, Kert. Nice!!
Thank you my friend!
Being and becoming are my two B words. This has been an 11 year process for me. Really glad to be in this space and feel the interconnected ripples. 🙏📿☺️
You are always so positive and encouraging Marjorie! Thank you.
I really love this concept of " I’m so busy Being"!
This should be how we all live.
But no- we have been tricked into lives of doing, and doing and doing!
And most of us have forgotten how to "Be"!
Thanks for the reminder Kert
Kert thank you for this post, just what I needed. I think it is a bit affirming yet offers sage advice to ponder. We have the “Dolphin Way: Safe, Kind, Responsible” at our school but there are still behavior expectations that don’t fall into those 3 values. I’m especially thinking about how I can use the “Take care of yourself, take care of each other, take care of our classroom/school/community.” What might happen if I introduce these to my students by first telling them “Today we’re going to throw out all our classroom and school rules!”? I’m going to think on it and share with my admin. Again thank you for continuing to share your wisdom, to make the world a better place.
THANK YOU, Natalie! First, the students will be intrigued and think “free for all?” And then they start to realize something deeper—that you are empowering them to begin the life-skill of self-reflection with you mentoring them to think closely about how behavioral choices are first exactly that: choices. That second, they can create a gap between a stimulus and their response (the gap of thinking “how best do I respond that moves me closer to my better angel”) That third, you are giving them amazing and respectful language such that they can help each other by asking “when you call me that bad name, how is that taking care of me?” And finally (but there is so much more to this, that, if you go there, WITH your students, you will see): you are establishing standards of excellence that they themselves can use FOR themselves for the rest of their lives. Rules don’t do any of that. Students know rules are in place so the adults can keep control and power. Rules are done TO kids—establishing principles and responsibilities is done with them. They are highly individualistic too—a rule is typically applied to everyone; responsibilities are responsive to each individual and the context of the experience. I HIGHLY recommend you do everything in your power to convince your admin (if you absolutely feel you have to—then invite them to be a part of it with you and your class!) to move your class in this direction. The conversation with your class when you start to implement it can be quite wonderful—and it should always be a norm in your class that you do a “responsibility check in” every day—even allowing students to affirm their peers when they’ve noticed someone being super responsible.
This was a sweet, lovely read, Kert! But don't knock AARP - I was offended by the flyers at first, but I've taken advantage of a few hefty hotel and rental car discounts that made me swallow my pride. When you're ready, of course. 👵