Have you failed at something so miserably that the thought of attempting to do it again was the last thing on your mind?
If your answer is yes, then you should understand that you are not a robot. Unlike robots, we human beings have feelings, emotions, and dreams. We are all meant to grow despite our circumstances and limitations. Flourishing and trying to make our dreams come true feels great when life goes our way. But what happens when it does not? What happens when you fail, despite all your hard work? Do you keep quiet and accept defeat or do you get up again?
If you tend to persevere and keep going, you have what experts call ‘grit’.
Falling down or failing is one of the most agonising and embarrassing human experience. But it is also one of the most educational, empowering, and essential for a fulfilling life. Did you know that perseverance (grit) is one of the seven qualities that has been described as the key to personal success and betterment in society? The other six are curiosity, gratitude, optimism, self-control, social intelligence, and zest.
Grit can be learnt to help you become more successful. One of the techniques that help is mindfulness.
Interest in the role of mindfulness and spirituality in business and medicine, as well as in education, is growing. Michigan State University now offers a course to prospective doctors entitled “Spirituality—A Vital Component of Wellbeing”
Will the idea of nurturing spirituality and mindfulness be a part of educational reform? One of our first tasks is to define spirituality and Mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a practice that makes an individual stay in the moment by bringing awareness of his or her experience without judgement. This practice has been used to quieten the noise of fears and doubts. Through this simple practice of mindfulness, individuals have the ability to stop the self-sabotaging downward spiral of hopelessness, despair, and frustration.
In his most recent book,‘The Courage to Teach’ (1998), the Quaker writer Parker Palmer examines teaching as a vocation and charts the inner landscape of the teacher on three important paths: intellectual, emotional, and spiritual. He defines spiritual as ‘diverse ways we answer the heart’s longing to be connected with the largeness of life—a longing that animates love and work, especially the work called teaching.’
Other relevant aspects of spirituality include:
An awareness of an inner, reflective life; a deepening connection to what really matters in our own life, in our relationships, and in our life work;
a gentle, lively sense of humour. An optimistic perspective that highlights the ‘goodness’ in people and one’s life circumstances; a profound connection with nature— taking deep comfort and inspiration from the natural world;a willingness to listen compassionately to the needs and concerns of others.
There is an equally powerful connection between the spiritual nourishment of teachers and students and the quality of a school’s teaching and learning. Mindfulness and the depth of one’s spirituality is enhanced by the experiences described here, and that school leaders have the opportunity to affirm and value these experiences.
Indeed, the future may reveal that attention to the spirit of education in the training of teachers and in schools and classrooms may be a significant factor in students’ and teachers’ growth and well-being.
The ultimate challenge is to combine academic rigor and exciting, successful teaching within a school culture that nurtures the spirit within the ambit of Mindfulness!!!
