It has been awhile since I have posted anything partly because life took on a chaotic bent that I am just now trying to bring some order to. Through this chaos, this morning I found myself reflecting in joi de vivre, or what the french call Joy of Life.
In many ways developing an understanding of PCT has helped me to develop a deep joi de vivre. In a very important way, it allowed me to take more joy from my job as a teacher. Before the ACT training, there seemed to be an invisible wall between me and my students. I felt that I had to be something different than I am in order to be a responsible and professional teacher. Not that who I am is all that crazy, just slightly different than the norm. 4 years ago I found myself at a new school with a new principal who had a crazy idea. He wanted to have a "Connected School," and he thought I would make a good first candidate for the ACT training. Since that first training, I found some of those walls that I had put up start to come down. I found myself sharing more of myself with my students... more of my personal stories, my eccentricities, my fears and successes. As this happened, I found that my students started to open up to me. I was able to be the mentor that I always wanted to be but was always scared to try. I have said on many occasions that PCT has allowed me to be the teacher that I always wanted to be. Because of this, I have found more joy in job and in turn in my life.
I write all this here because I was curious about other stories people might have about how PCT has transformed their life. I believe that there is great truth in the telling and sharing of stories. Stories gives us a different perspective and layers of Truth from which we can derive wisdom. I invite all of you out there is cyberspace to share your PCT story so that we can learn from your Truth and experiences.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
3 comments:
Leslie,
I agree entirely. Teachers (yes people) often are or seem aloof and 'unconnected' as we move through life. The more we share, the more we understand that others have the same feelings, concerns, frustrations and successes we do.
Here is my most recent ACT experience; it is 'tax time' related. Monday night I was finalizing my tax preparation. I had just spent 2 1/2 hours 'cleaning up' contributions, credits, etc. As I took one last look and started to press the "SAVE" button, that ominous message popped up "Turbo Tax has unexpectedly QUIT!" My instant reaction (thanks to ACT) was to say "OK, how do I want to react to this?" I did not throw a tantrum, go ballastic or cry. I knew that those emotional reactions would only lead to more frustration. After quickly looking for back door alternatives, I got up from the computer, shared with my wife what had happened and unloaded the dryer & folded towels. I chose to accept the fact that I had not practiced what I preach to students - "Save, Save, Save".
After 15 minutes of down time, I returned to my computer and reentered all the lost data - saving every 5 minutes.
I honestly give credit to my ACT training for providing me an alternative to rage and blaming the world for my misfortune. I was being the person I wanted to be in this situation and proud of how I responded. Why not share my success. My new mantra is "ACT-Learn, Live, Be for Life".
Oh, so true! I have definitely been where you were. I am not a prolific saver. 80)
We have all had experiences in which weve had to take a step back and think about who we want to be in that situation. If not for ACT, we probably would have just gone with the flow and end up unhappy and with regrets with what happened or how we behaved in that situation. Now that ive begun to learn more of ACT, i can now ask myself the questions and self evaluate more deliberately and quickly and make it more possible to abtain whatever it is that im controlling for. Just the other day, something mean was said to me and because of the training, i immediately said to myself "iji" and i left feeling ok about how i behaved in that conflict. I will take "ok" anyday instead of feeling really bad about how i could have told this person a few other abusive words and later felt awful about who i was in that situation.
Post a Comment