“Follow your bliss and the universe will open doors where there were only walls.” – Joseph Campbell
We all have talents and unique interests that naturally inspire and interest us. Many of us may not fully value them because we are not professionals in that area, or it is not the main source of our income. All of this is insignificant relative to the richness they bring when we allow ourselves the time and space to fully embrace our gifts and pursue the things we love.
I love to write, and I love music. Performing a song that strikes a chord with me is one of the finer pleasures in my life. Often, that means standing alone in my house strumming my guitar and singing my heart out. Although the crowd is only in my head, I receive something very real from the performance. I feel empowered, my voice becomes stronger in my interactions with others, and I feel high on life. This confidence translates into everything I do.
It is said that we must remember that we are first paid by our creativity, then perhaps we will get paid for it. The creative activities we engage in, from cooking a meal, to reading about our favorite sport, or playing our favorite video games, teach us about life. When we are engaged in something that speaks to us, the lessons generalize into everything we do. Above all, we feel more comfortable in our skin, more self-expressed.
In our district, we aim to help students to make personal connections with the material they are learning. This activates their natural curiosity, as well as their internal hard drive of information that might go untapped if we simply deliver the information without establishing context in our students lives. This is why it is important for students to engage in the activities that naturally motivate them. Again, those lessons learned, even while gaming online, can be used as a bridge by which they can understand history, art, language arts, and math.
When a struggling student comes to the lunch groups I facilitate, I immediately find out what they are interested in. I can tell by their response how connected and inspired they are feeling about life. If I receive an indifferent response, I know they need encouragement to value the things that matter to them. Without that fire, they might feel like they are invisible.
On the other hand, if a student becomes overly rambunctious in their response, lacking focus and clarity, we can start working on those skills. If they want to be truly successful they will need to ground that enthusiasm in ways that translates to performance in those areas. It is those naturally motivating interests that bring the greatest learning opportunities and the willingness to persevere.
Perhaps you have a talent or interest that you have been letting fall to the wayside. You may have limiting beliefs about the value of those endeavors. I am here to remind you that all of those ideas pale in comparison to the lessons and joys available to you if you are willing to simply dedicate a small amount of time each day to those activities. Start with small steps like reading about your passion, or going to a live event. Spend as little as 5 minutes a day, perhaps before or after work, engaging in the things that you love. You will gain momentum as your natural enthusiasm and the energy that comes with it starts to build. If it matters to you, it is important. Go for it, and get ready for some happy surprises in your life as you open yourself up to the joy that wants to come out.
Edward Biagiotti is the Inclusion Specialist for Culver City Unified School District. He is also co-host of the popular radio show, Funniest Thing! with Darrell and Ed, to find out more go to www.DarrellandEd.com or send an email to: EdwardBiagiotti@ccusd.org