I often read the obituary pages in the Boston Globe. I am very interested in people's lives.
Yesterday I read about the amazing life of Caroline Chang, a life that would make an inspiring children's book. Many children that I teach have family culture rooted in Boston's Chinatown which made me very interested in Chang's life. I am also very interested in the lives and education of our gifted students, students who demonstrate amazing academic potential and success, and children who also typically use their giftedness to help others. Chang clearly was a gifted young girl, and one who used her intelligence to uplift the lives of people in her community. Our fourth grade is focused on the cultural exploration of children's lives and history, and I want to share this story with them as I think it may be one they want to include in their close study of Chinatown.
Sometimes when I'm at a loss for direction, I'll write my own obituary. I do this to think about the life I want to live. I'm not that concerned with how others remember me, but I am concerned with the fact that I want to be satisfied with the choices I make and life I live. My own satisfaction is much more important to me than what others think of me--I want to live a life I believe in.
My obituary writing changes from year to year--what I want one year is likely a bit different the next year as life shapes, motivates, and challenges me. I am open to those changes and while I often feel like a rock that is continually chiseled in life, when it comes to the obituary writing, I feel more like the rock weathered by the running river, a river that smooths my edges making me more welcoming to a traveler desiring rest by a river's edge.
Have you written your obituary lately? What rises to the top when you consider your life so far and your life later on? How will you translate your words into meaningful actions? This is a great exercise for a rainy Memorial Day like today.
Yesterday I read about the amazing life of Caroline Chang, a life that would make an inspiring children's book. Many children that I teach have family culture rooted in Boston's Chinatown which made me very interested in Chang's life. I am also very interested in the lives and education of our gifted students, students who demonstrate amazing academic potential and success, and children who also typically use their giftedness to help others. Chang clearly was a gifted young girl, and one who used her intelligence to uplift the lives of people in her community. Our fourth grade is focused on the cultural exploration of children's lives and history, and I want to share this story with them as I think it may be one they want to include in their close study of Chinatown.
Sometimes when I'm at a loss for direction, I'll write my own obituary. I do this to think about the life I want to live. I'm not that concerned with how others remember me, but I am concerned with the fact that I want to be satisfied with the choices I make and life I live. My own satisfaction is much more important to me than what others think of me--I want to live a life I believe in.
My obituary writing changes from year to year--what I want one year is likely a bit different the next year as life shapes, motivates, and challenges me. I am open to those changes and while I often feel like a rock that is continually chiseled in life, when it comes to the obituary writing, I feel more like the rock weathered by the running river, a river that smooths my edges making me more welcoming to a traveler desiring rest by a river's edge.
Have you written your obituary lately? What rises to the top when you consider your life so far and your life later on? How will you translate your words into meaningful actions? This is a great exercise for a rainy Memorial Day like today.