The things we fear losing the most: autonomy, identity and a positive future. If you can help someone maintain their autonomy, identity and future, they will feel safer and more willing to collaborate.
"Leon Fleisher, regarded as one of the great classical pianists of the twentieth century, told the coauthor of his 2010 memoir that his 'greatest wish' was to be able to improvise. But despite a lifetime of masterful interpretation of notes on the page, he said, 'I can't improvise at all.' " — David Epstein, Range: Why [...]
If there is no wind, row. Latin proverb I found this proverb on my meditation app, Insight Timer. Since my children all row crew, it seemed especially apropos. I also believe it aligns with my favorite saying, "Action dissolves fear". The last few years, I have pushed myself to be an action-taker. Hard to reflect when [...]
It is a new decade. I appreciate the feeling of starting anew. Last year held a lot of changes for me and my family. I married Mark and his two sons moved in with me and my children. I officially went back to my maiden name (Knowles). We endured health scares, major home repairs and the [...]
Working six or eight hour days is not the problem. The structure of the schedule is. Multitasking does not work. Multitasking the care of people is especially problematic. The students I work with are a vulnerable population. They have ADHD, high anxiety, physical impairments, autism, Down Syndrome and other mental challenges. Cutting in and out of their care, does not help them or anyone, progress.
"So, a lot of the need to be productive is the terror of things falling apart." — Judd Apatow, Sick in the Head Being productive falls in the same category as being perfect. We often have a sense that if we are productive and/or perfect, we are safe. Safe from poverty, abandonment, failure, disgrace, etc. It [...]
