Learning for a Living

From time to time people ask me what I do for a living. It is a fair question and a curiosity for many of us. It is one of the first questions of interest we ask each other: "What do you do." My brothers sell. My father was a factory worker. My mother was a secretary. I learn. Literally. And I love it. Learning is what I do for a living.

This morning I was invited to an area Middle School to meet with a "think tank" known as "Still Water;" catchy name, eh? We were to discuss human dynamics and character development. Its a tall topic for anyone but I was with some real thinkers.

Each of the "Still Water" participants is an accomplished educator in his and her own right. I won't bore you with degrees and citations but believe me when I say that each in this group has been around the block and back. Each has an impressive resume. Each comes from a unique background and perspective.

The topic we were given to master was RESPECT. Respect for self. Respect for others. Respect. I was invited to share my own thoughts and ideas if I wanted, but mostly I was to listen, to learn, and to live!

At one point I playfully said, "If I dropped over right now I would need one of you to put your mouth on mine and breathe life into me! Any volunteers?" There were no takers. I don't blame them, would you? Most 7th graders would not be too excited about giving me mouth to mouth. But then we shifted the life giving procedure to the word Respect. I had each of these 12 and 13 year olds put their mouths around the word Respect to breathe some life into it. Here is what they had to breathe. Here is what they had to say:

Still Water Results for 9/04/08 think tank discussion

Topic: RESPECT

• Teamwork
• Cooperation
• Tolerance
• Working together
• Treating others as you would want to be treated
• Treating people with kindness
• Caring for others
• Including others -- even if they are different
• Showing interest in others -- ask three questions of interest
• Look people in the eye
• Smile
• Listen
• Always be willing to share something of interest about yourself
• Respect for others begins with respect for yourself

Here's the mountain man challenge: Will you join me? Will you harness up with the Still Water climbers? Will you let these 12 and 13 year olds take the lead on the next steep and narrow spot in the trail? I think we all could learn -- and live! -- just a little lighter and brighter from what each of these "experts" has to teach us about Respect. Hats off to the Still Water group!

I'm loving you! Thanks for the coffee -- and see you at the top! Jeff on the mountains.