Wednesday, January 30, 2013

perspective, pacing, growth: do you need new glasses?

While laying in bed last night, I caught parts of the #leadfromwithin Twitter discussion, topic being "focus." For me, what became glaringly evident throughout is that learning to focus is a lot like going to the optometrist to get new glasses.

When things start to get blurry, you begin to recognize it is time for a change. Where are you going to go? To someone who can help you gain clarity - be that a mentor, a colleague, or a friend or family member. They help you find what works best, but only you know your eyes - your heart - and what exactly it is you need right now. Lenses 2 or 3? 3 or 4? 3 or 5? You begin to see what will best benefit you, what change will help you focus better. And although your prescription may not change, it is important to reassess your vision periodically, to make sure everything is as golden as it was last.

On the other hand, there are times we don't know, or someone else doesn't know, how weak their vision may be. I recall being in third grade and not being able to read the board from afar. My teacher talked to my parents about possibly needing glasses, as she recognized the troubles I was having, but I was in denial. At the time, I'd rather have had to squint than have to get glasses. And don't we all know people like that? Someone in our lives who would benefit from change, needs change, but maybe can't come to terms with the change necessary. How do we, as teachers, get them the help they need? More importantly, how do we, as students, recognize and accept the change that we need in our lives?

There is an indescribable excitement that comes with getting new lenses. The first time you put them on and you see everything with greater clarity... you see things you may not have noticed before, and suddenly the world is new.

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