Celebrating Mediocrity
I have always been a passive person, avoiding conflict when at all possible. Even in my advanced pre-geriatric years, I find I still withdraw from conflict rather than face it head on. The only exception to the rule is if someone messes with my children, then it's World War 3!
Bad Grades = Trouble
If I brought home a grade card with a poor grade, say in Math or English (my worst areas of study), then my parents would chide me and do what most parents will do. The standard instruction: spend less time on Music and History (things I like and do well), and concentrate on Math and bring that D up to a C. I'll bet your parents have said the same thing to you.
Well, I did exactly what they wanted, brought my D in Math up to a C, but my Music grade fell from an A to a B or C. So, my fellow parents and grandparents: Does that strategy breed average, mediocre students – so we never truly shine in that one area. We excel in those things that we practice and think about all of the time.
Should We Work On That Bad Grade
So, maybe we should allow our students to do less well in one area if their passion is somewhere else. We can't be good at all things, so why not concentrate and be the best we can be on something that makes our lives worth living.
We don't really multi-task, in spite of all the attempts to try to manipulate a dozen things at once. For me, to get better I have to focus, practice, constantly refine and improve my skills.
I Love Average People
In my business class, I always tell my students – thank goodness so many people are just average. It makes the rest of us shine, with just a little more effort. Those average people make me look good.
Oh yeah, I have to get back to my website and make some improvements, I don't want it to be ordinary.
Hope you are having an unconventional day!
Kali
Recent Comments
22
Oh wow! Your story could have been mine as well. Although as they are now grown up and on their own I find they listened to me far more than I had realized. My brother, Eric (the disabled one), had a favorite song by the group Carbon Leaf. It was called Life Less Ordinary.
Here, you might enjoy it.
http://youtu.be/tBYxg0Ddg0I
You see this is really a subject I wrestle with. Should I have pushed my kids harder?. but then I remember where you tell them great things over and over and it does not seem to make it through, then suddenly they come home with this great revelation from some joe smo and yes it is the very thing that you have been saying, you smile and say thats nice.
So I have to think that we can only do what we can and the rest is up to God.
and so far He is doing a great job. I think that they are extra ordinary. (is there such a thing or is that a mom talking)
I feel like this is not anything that you are trying to say and I am rambling HMMM LOL
Good one as always
I like you already, and just like you I love average people. I was never great at school either but I tried my best and I didn't do too bad. I believe that everyone has their dreams, but we seem to loose them somewhere between the lines of our busy life and our society makes it even harder to follow them. But the most important thing in our lives is to follow our heart and dreams, because with out that we cannot fulfill our life's desires.
Small steps will get you to your destination. Somewhere I heard we should practice evolution, not revolution. Meaning small steps.
wise words, unconventional approach, work on the areas you can excel in, don't beat yourself up about the things you can not, very few people are brilliant and most things, do you need to be ?
Its the brilliant people we meet that show us the gems that not yet shine in ourselves and encourage us in these areas. This is especially precious when we are young. This can make the difference between out pacing the mediocrity quota and actually becoming something monumental based on the energy and passion of a long developed interest and or talent, and I can tell you spelling is not one them I enjoy based on the fact of how many auto corrections I have attended to with my response to your emotional provaking post! Cheers!
Thanks for the positive comments. I am now following you, you seem to be right on track with your life.
Best of all success to you, Jonny.
Kali
Great post Kali! Very true...no one is good at everything! I think that it is a great idea to encourage my kids in what they are interested in doing and what they are already good at doing. Otherwise, at least in my opinion, they might lose interest in learning anything if they can't enjoy some of what they are learning.
I do encourage them also in things like math and English, which are necessary later in life, but it is a lot of work especially in getting my youngest one to pay attention to these subjects...especially the reading and writing aspect, but then again he's only 7 years old. So, maybe it'll get easier in the next few years!
My youngest was 9 years old when he had an amazing teacher who got him excited about reading and learning new things. We abandoned the TV and he has turned into a very smart young man. I am so proud.
Good post Kali. I think everyone is unique, and they should be encouraged to do what they do best. I think education is changing a bit. It's not that we shouldn't know math and English and history. Can't get along in the world without it. If a kid shows talent as a musician, that should be celebrated because it makes him special.
I'm not really sure of the best answer here, I just think we might be overlooking the next great artist or humanitarian. I am a business graduate and I think its sad to here people who think profit and loss statements are all there is to life. They need to take time to enjoy life.
See more comments
I enjoy reading your posts... I wish my boys had experienced a teacher such as yourself... such a difference a great teacher can make... You are truly unique... AND
that's a good thing...:) Julie
What a great compliment. Thanks.