5-17-2019

Mary’s Minute

“Life is like playing a violin solo in public and learning the instrument as one goes on.”

                                                             ~ Samuel Butler

As the end of the school year closes in, and I reflect on the Class of 2019, I have been thinking about learning, specifically I am thinking about what I have learned from this class.  That makes me think about learning in general.  We certainly never stop learning, and I love the idea of Sam Butler that learning is like playing a violin solo in public.  It is true that the more we practice (or the older we get) the more experiences we have, but it doesn’t mean that we don’t hit some sour notes.  From the missed notes we learn just as much or more than the times we get it pitch perfect.

I appreciate the lessons I have learned from the Class of 2019.  For instance, several students have started a breakfast club on the school parking lot on Monday mornings.  Their goal is simply to start the week in a positive way.  Their example has helped me look at Mondays differently.  Now when I see them I call out, “Win Monday, win the week!”

I have learned from this class that we cannot underestimate the potential of anyone.  This class has students who have done and will continue to do amazing things. 

I have learned about acceptance and caring from them.  And the list goes on and on. 

The lessons are important, but most important is that I am learning and that I recognize that learning goes far beyond noted experts or published books.  I just need to be aware and open. I need to keep learning – keep practicing my violin for the world to see all the notes I miss.  To stop learning is to silence our violins, which would make for an eerily silent world. 

           

                                                              Have a great week!

                                                                                                Mary