Join us on location as we discuss deep philosophical questions like "How do you prepare for holiday company?"
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Join us in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell us how you get ready for the holidays.
"Is my work of the highest quality?" When we ask ourselves this question are setting the bar high or are we being too unrealistic?
Or...
"Is my work the best I can produce?" When we ask ourselves this question are we being realistic or are we giving ourselves an out?
Let's use me as an example and tell me what you think.
Was Wednesday's staff development of the highest quality?
Answer: No. My communication to staff members could have been more thorough and more timely. I could have gotten there early and set up the audio-visual equipment. And, I should have had a small token of appreciation for the presenter.
Now let's try on Question Number Two.
Was Wednesday's staff development the best I can produce?
Answer: Maybe. Communication is hard when I have been displaced from my office for the past few weeks and access to an office computer is limited. Sure I could have gotten there earlier, but Richard has been out of town all week and my schedule is twice as hectic shuffling kids every which way. A token of appreciation would have been great, but maybe next time. People know I am usually thoughtful.
I struggle because I want the "out" I think Question Number Two provides. But, as co-creator of the House of Shine, I feel obligated to maintain the values implied in Question Number One.
When I force myself to respond to Question Number One, my inner voice says things such as: "No. My communication to staff members could have been more thorough and more timely. How must I reorganize my priorities, so that staff members get reminders one full week ahead of time? Maybe, instead of letting myself get lost in a Google search on Friday, I could have made better use of that time.
True, Question Number One is, at times, unattainable. We are human.
But, when my inner voice is forced to answer Question Number One there is dissonance. I am forced to reconcile the difference between, 'the best I can produce," and "work of the highest quality." It is then I become most accountable for the values I say I possess and the decisions I therefore make.
Tell me what you think. Visit me in the Community Forum labeled, Today's Post and tell me. Is there a difference or am I splitting hairs?
Shining off until tomorrow...
When I was a kid, my father read to me and my sister before bed each night. He was an English professor - a lover of books. But, he did more than just read the author's carefully crafted words. He brought their stories to life. If it was Rapunzel, he bellowed, "Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair." If he was reading was Oliver Twist, it was the way he exclaimed, "More?" that we loved and anticipated.
My father understood that kids love reading when they feel enveloped in the story.
Over the years, I have had my own fun thinking of creative ways to bring children's books to life for Matthew and Jack. A few years ago I wrote a post telling of the vine that grew through Matthew's window after reading, "Jack and the Beanstalk." A few days after that, I showed you pictures of the turret Rapunzel lives in, just down the block from my house in Grapevine, Texas. I told you all about how Matthew and Jack yell at Rapunzel each time we pass by.
I have also given suggestions for making your own party hats after reading, "Go Dog Go" and running a strip of masking tape along the floor, so children can imagine what it feels like to balance on a tight rope, like Philippe Petit in the true story, "The Man Who Walked Between The Towers."
It is National Young Readers Week, so I thought I would share another favorite children's book, along with a simple idea for engaging your children in the story. Added bonus: It makes a great birthday or holiday gift for less than $15.00.
Strega Nona, written by, Tomie dePaola, is an Italian tale of a grandmother and her magic pasta pot. The enchanted pot produces pasta at the command of a spell, but to stop the pot from producing pasta, Strega Nona must blow the pot three kisses. Trouble ensues when Strega Nona spends a day visiting her friend Strega Amelia and someone uses the opportunity to spread news of the pot and serve everyone pasta. However, he did not know how to properly stop the pot, so pasta continued flowing, eventually flooding the town with pasta. How's that for a short synopsis?
Last year on Valentine's Day, I mailed my nephew a copy of the book along with three spinning spaghetti forks and a pound of pasta to eat for dinner. It was a fun package.
This year, I will surprise Jack with the book. We will read it this afternoon, followed by a big spaghetti dinner - that he will help cook in our magic pasta pot - and a round of new Spinning Spaghetti forks for everyone at the table.
Your turn. What is one of your favorite children's books and what ways can you think of to bring the book to life for kids? Join us in the Community Forum, labeled Today's Post and tell us. A $20.00 gift card to Barnes and Noble says you can't come up with the best idea!
Shining off until tomorrow...