There are some rules in life that are easy to follow and others that are difficult to follow. The rules that we may easily follow may be rules that others disdain or object to. People's rules for living differ, yet there are some commonly held rules that many, if not most of us, follow.
In every group, there are rules that most people in that group follow. It is important to stop to consider the group's rules now and then to analyze what rules most are following and what rules may be more troublesome or objectionable. What rules are getting in people's ways or the group's connections?
When I think back on life, I recognize that I was too much of a rule follower. I wanted to be pleasing, for the most part, so I followed the rules set forth for me. This generally served me well, but in hindsight, I realize some of those rules were not well suited for me or best living at the time. For example, at one point, I followed the rules to my own detriment, rules that a friend quickly disobeyed to live a life more true to herself. I should have done what she did, but as a rule follower, I didn't even consider breaking those rules.
When I return to school this week, I'll think deeply about the rules in place in the classroom. What rules generally support our good classroom community and what rules need change? Who follows the rules and who does not? As for those who do not follow rules, is it because the rules are a poor fit for who that child is or what that child desires/needs? I'll observe, listen to colleagues, discuss the situation, and eventually we'll have a class meeting about our classroom rules and protocols with a goal of creating the kind of classroom community where everyone can be themselves and learn in ways that enrich their lives today and into the future.
I also want to think about the rules that lead other groups I belong to? What about the mostly silent rules of family life, what rules strengthen our commitment to each other and what rules do not serve us as well?
Rules are important because those rules help us to live, work, and enjoy each other's company with a common language and way of being, but rules that are not revisited and revised are often obstructions to good living. That's why we have to continually re-look at the rules that guide our lives.
In every group, there are rules that most people in that group follow. It is important to stop to consider the group's rules now and then to analyze what rules most are following and what rules may be more troublesome or objectionable. What rules are getting in people's ways or the group's connections?
When I think back on life, I recognize that I was too much of a rule follower. I wanted to be pleasing, for the most part, so I followed the rules set forth for me. This generally served me well, but in hindsight, I realize some of those rules were not well suited for me or best living at the time. For example, at one point, I followed the rules to my own detriment, rules that a friend quickly disobeyed to live a life more true to herself. I should have done what she did, but as a rule follower, I didn't even consider breaking those rules.
When I return to school this week, I'll think deeply about the rules in place in the classroom. What rules generally support our good classroom community and what rules need change? Who follows the rules and who does not? As for those who do not follow rules, is it because the rules are a poor fit for who that child is or what that child desires/needs? I'll observe, listen to colleagues, discuss the situation, and eventually we'll have a class meeting about our classroom rules and protocols with a goal of creating the kind of classroom community where everyone can be themselves and learn in ways that enrich their lives today and into the future.
I also want to think about the rules that lead other groups I belong to? What about the mostly silent rules of family life, what rules strengthen our commitment to each other and what rules do not serve us as well?
Rules are important because those rules help us to live, work, and enjoy each other's company with a common language and way of being, but rules that are not revisited and revised are often obstructions to good living. That's why we have to continually re-look at the rules that guide our lives.