Assessing the situation

There are moments in life when we are doubted.  By ourselves and by others.  And it is in those moments we define whether we can or we can't.

This is completely up to us.

I just read an article for school that is basically about how our assessments in school are outdated and narrow minded in comparison to what our children have to face in the world today.  The author of the article writes about how she got a C in her freshman year intro. to psychology class.  Her instructor told her in so many words that she wouldn't amount to anything in the psychology world. 

She is now the president of the American Psychological Association. 

Her moment was a little longer than a moment as she changed to major in math.  It was when she failed math that she decided a C in psychology was better than an F in math. 

I had a similar story involving music education and business. 

I can't read music.  Music has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember.  I sing, I play, and I love music.  I can't read a note of it though.  Well...that is a lie.  I can find the notes on the scale, I think.  It is how the scale relates to the sounds that I don't understand.  It is very complicated to explain.  However, I can hear a song and play it on the piano with some practice.  I hear music.  And it moves my soul.  I love to sing.  But was told that I wouldn't amount to anything and that I couldn't teach music if I couldn't read it. 

Okay...I get that.  I guess I wouldn't be able to teach french either.  I don't know french.  But music moves my soul.  French does not.  Unless of course you are talking about a french fry.  That is quite different.

In being told I wouldn't be a good teacher, I changed my major to business. 

Holy smokes.  Do you know me?  I think you probably have a good idea of who I am.  I barely passed accounting.  I failed macro-economics and am pretty sure I have nightmares about my teacher in that class.  Others in my class were so engaged by his lectures.  I was a lost soul.  It didn't take long for me to figure out that teaching was a better avenue for me than business.

(Big enters stage left)

And then I had a baby.  And all bets were off.

The article is about assessing the creativity and wisdom of students rather that the memorization of facts that can be rehearsed and spit back out onto standardized tests.

I never did well with those tests.  I am a think outside the box kind of person.  I am also a french fry and chocolate milkshake kind of person.  Does that make me not smart?  Nope.  What this thinking does is help students define who they are through their strengths and it helps teachers teach to their weakness using creativity, practicality, and wisdom. 

Anyway...for those who have been told you can't.  It is up to you whether you can or you can't.  He knows what you are capable of and it is up to you to follow the path set before you.

I am proof that the path is not straight...nor is it something you can see the distance.  You walk blindly, led by faith.

And you just keep going...taking the next step and knowing that you'll prosper in the plan He has for you.  Not the plan others feel compelled to share with you based on their observations of your life.

In the wise words from the voice in Field of Dreams...

Go the distance.

Have a blessed day!
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