As a mom, family member, dreamer, and educator, I think a lot about human energy. For starters, my dreams far outpace my personal energy and capacity and this constantly presents me with a dilemma--I simply cannot achieve what I see, so I always have to consider my energy and what is possible versus the amazing, complex dreams I have. That's one reason why I write--by writing, I can lend my dreams to others and possibly inspire others to do what I do or what I wish I could do. Simply putting those ideas out there helps me to find peace with my mind of ideas, hopes, wishes, and dreams for the world.
As a mom and teacher, I always thought a lot about the energy in my children at school and at home. I thought about their individual energy and their collective energy with the desire to right that energy in ways that moved them ahead in positive, productive ways. For example, as a mom of a very active toddler whose energy was far greater than his ability to be constructive or his parents' ability to keep up with him, I had to think about how to direct that energy. One positive conclusion was to bring him swimming many nights. This was great as he learned to swim, it calmed him down, and the whole family had a great night's sleep afterwards. As a teacher, I was constantly creating menus that appealed to the collective and personal energy of the class. Every menu included the academic goals and multiple paths to get there. For the most energized, there were active paths and for the more passive, there were quieter paths. I tried to find ways to channel their energies to make better. For the most part, this worked, yet there were challenges that kept me thinking and revising.
So as I look out into the world today, I see a lot of energy and I see that energy used in ways that are positive and productive and ways that are hurtful, deadly, and destructive. Of course, I want that human energy to be channeled in the most positive ways.
I've noticed many rebels without good causes--people who clearly have a lot of energy directed in what appears to be misguided, wasteful ways that hurt themselves and/or others. How can we better channel their energy in ways that give them a sense of mission, direction, skill and ability to make better? For example, these truck convoys. On one hand, it's a peaceful, yet bothersome, way to protest, protest that does garner attention, yet is it really making a positive difference with regard to bettering people's health and happiness? What could those truck drivers do to truly and positively impact good lives? As I think of all the energy that caused the January 6th domestic terror assault at the United States Capitol, I wonder how that energy could have been redirected in ways that promote greater happiness and health in the United States rather than causing an incident that led to death, injury, long term physical/mental health problems, costly vandalism and many, many dollars for follow-up legal investigations, court/incarceration costs, family strife and more. Just imagine if Donald Trump had urged his followers to go home and serve their communities via food pantries, repairing homes, landscaping, childcare and any other action that improves lives and leads to the common good--that would have added dollars and value to our country, rather than oppressing us and taking away good potential.
Great leaders inspire people to use their energy in positive ways--the same is true for great teachers, family members, neighbors, friends, managers, colleagues and more. What we do with our limited, but powerful energy matters. Every action is energy invested, and if we see that energy for the value it has, we will be much more mindful of what we do with that energy.
Let's better direct our own energy toward what is right and good and let's challenge others to do the same. Whenever people act, let's promote the question, Was that a good use of energy? Did that foster the potential and positivity possible? I believe that's a good way to look at human action on small and grand scales as we strive for the good possible. Do you agree?