Alternative

With all of the holidays looming around the corner I am sure that many of you are pondering what to give your loved ones for those gift giving events. I am sure that many of you will be taking part in the time honored tradition of "Black Friday," but if not, I would like to offer another alternative.
I came across a fantastic website not too long ago that allows people to not only purchase ecologically friendly goods, but also donate to a variety of charities and organizations. For example, last year I gave a gift in my mother's name to a butterfly habitat in Mexico. She loved it!
So, for those that have everything, give a gift that will allow them to give back to the world. Visit: http://greatergood.com/

"Random acts of kindness"

A couple of days ago I was waiting in line in a store. Something had fallen off a display onto the ground. The woman in front of me promptly looked down and simply kicked the object out of her way. When I was able to move up to her where she was standing I bent down, picked up the object, and placed it back on the display. Not because I could, but because I should. It took me three seconds.

While waiting in line in a different store I watched as a customer who was unable to use a coupon gave it to the woman who was waiting behind her. I thought, "Wow, that was nice." The new recipient of the coupon happily watched as her goods were scanned and then passed her newly received coupon along to the cashier. After the final payment the woman scanned her receipt and asked why she did not get 40% off her entire purchase instead of just one item (the coupon that she did not have when she walked in to the store, but was graciously given while in line was only for one item). She left the store disappointed.

Now, if I was a more aggressive person I would be the one yelling, "Hey, rather than kick that thing so someone can slip on it, pick it up!" or "Lady, you just got a free coupon, take what you can get." But, I watch, and I listen, and I just take it all in. Then, I wonder. I ponder. I reflect.

It seems as if the term "random acts of kindness" is right on the money. I am not sure when kindness, graciousness, and overall consideration was thrown out the window, but it seems as if these acts have indeed become random.

But it does not have to be this way...

When you come across something that is out of place, return it to where it should go. When you enter a building, glance behind you to see if you should hold open the door.
When you come across something that you know would make a friend happy, pick it up for them.
When you encounter a gracious act or a kind person, be gracious and kind right back.
And, when you encounter someone who is neither, be the bigger person and treat others how you would like to be treated.

Travel Anyone?

My family has opted to invest in a vacation for Christmas rather than buying a bunch of small gifts for everyone. We will not be traveling during the holiday (thankfully) and our trip could take place anytime after December.

Although I have a couple of things in mind (I am the master travel planner in the family) I would love to get some suggestions. I know many of you travel often. What are some of your favorite places? Why would you suggest them? My family loves to explore, eat yummy food, and balance relaxation with fun.

Sharism

During one of my graduate classes, a fellow student wrote her final post on collaboration in education (or the lack thereof). Her main premise was that collaboration needs to exist on all levels within the education world - nation, state, county, school, administrators, teachers, parents, students. Unfortunately, as we all know, this is not the case. My students complain about getting conflicting messages from teachers, teachers complain about getting students who have not been taught "basic" skills, and administrators complain about the lack of parent involvement.

Since education directly leads to how one lives their life it is no surprise that we have created what is dubbed the "Me Generation." Sure, educators promote cooperative learning projects or peer buddying but these activities are usually limited to the classroom. In the quest to promote social skills and collaboration in our individual classrooms, we have forgotten the big picture. The big picture goes beyond our classes, our subject areas, and our selves.

Which brings me to the inspiration for this posting - Sharism. I came across an interesting website arguing for the Sharism philosophy. According to Isaac Mao, "Sharism is also a mental practice that anyone can try, a social-psychological attitude to transform a wide and isolated world into a super-smart Social Brain." He goes on to argue that "The more collective our intelligence, the wiser our actions will be. People have always found better solutions through conversations. Now we can put it all online." And if it has not been obvious by the classroom practices that I try to promote, let me just state, I completely agree.

Please take some time to read about Mr. Mao's Sharism ideas. Maybe afterward you will become a "share-a-holic" like me!

It may be a small world, but it is not a small universe

I always try to remember that there is so much more out there. Sometimes, when the day is especially tough or awful things happen, I forget that the world does not in fact revolve around my life. We all do every once in a while. But, when I encounter a story like the one that was released this week, "First Extrasolar Planets Caught on Camera," I am forced to ponder the vast nature of existence.

So this weekend, make an effort to remember that the opportunities available to us are endless. The discovery of entire universes out in the great beyond reminds us that we can always learn more, be more, and grow more.