Reflecting on Those Unexpected Moments

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Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw away the bowlines, sail away from safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER. 

It is amazing the things we come across when we least expect it. I wanted to share a short story that happened to me the other day. I have been in Bali the last few weeks relaxing with my family enjoying the sun, the beach, and great times with my wife, Neila, and 2 boys, Tai and Eli. Been trying to stay active going for runs every other morning along the beach. Running is a precious time for me as I really take the time to think through and reflect on current events in my life. This can be my job, my family, and/or any pressing issues or deadlines that I am faced with. I often think about teaching and reflect on what I want to learn more about or things to try out in my instruction. 

During one of my early morning runs, I came across what I think is a truly inspirational quote, spray painted on to an old, grey deteriorating cement wall along the ocean in Sanur, Bali. I stopped and read it, a few times, before having to take a photo of it. The rest of my run, I reflected on the significance of this quote and how it can be applied to my life as a teacher. I am dead serious when I say that I thought about it deeply for the rest of my run that morning. 

To me this quote sums up exactly how I feel about taking risks in our profession. Standing firm with our beliefs, and sharing these beliefs without fear of being judged as right or wrong. We are all at different stages of our teaching careers, but no matter where we are at, we must take risks and be willing to think outside the traditional box and try new things, even if these things we try are extremely challenging to us. 

We must remain open-minded to change and learn from other teachers whom we connect with. We must look at their journeys in education and listen to their experiences because they have so much to share. Remaining open-minded allows us to pick up on lots of little things that guaranteed we can apply to our own practice. 

I am sure you all agree that we can never learn enough. Although excellence is ever-elusive, we should always strive toward deepening our practice whenever we can in an attempt to BE EXCELLENT and make a difference to our students. 

The above quote, in my opinion, is how we should construct the academic environment within our PE classes and our programs. Let our students EXLORE. Let our students DREAM. Let our students DISCOVER. 

Thanks for listening!