Courage in Compassion

One day, as I walked around Loyd's Lake, I started thinking that so often we tend to think that courage can only be found in harsh or big things--such as war, fighting fires, and maybe even skydiving. Courage is an attribute of an adventurer or a hero! right? My thoughts, however, were focused on our daily acts of courage.

The dictionary, or at least when I searched the word on Google, defines courage as: "the ability to do something that frightens one" or "strength in the face of pain or grief." I have come to the conclusion that, even under the definition, this includes all kinds of acts. This includes smiling at a stranger, performing a talent, cooking for someone, offering someone help, listening to someone, forgiving someone who has wronged you, and many more. Many of these things have something in common which led me to this--there is courage in compassion. To show compassion to someone that needs it, or someone that might not want it, or to a stranger, or to someone who has wronged us is a great act of courage. These acts of compassion may require us to do something that frightens us; it may require strength to show compassion to someone that has wronged us, or to overcome the fears that we might have regarding this act. Whatever the case may be, there is courage in compassion.

That being said, I know many courageously compassionate people. My grandma's are both excellent examples of courageous compassion--they are always looking to do good for others. My dad has lent a shoulder to cry on to his children, is quick to step in and help in many situations, and can diffuse the most uncomfortable situations. My mom spreads happiness wherever she goes, is always ready to listen, and is attune to the feelings of others (and acts accordingly). My sister, Kayli, has something nice and encouraging to say to everyone that she encounters. My sister, Tia, steps up in every situation to make sure that people are taken care of. My husband will step up and offer his services wherever he sees a need. His whole family is much the same and so they are great examples also. My friends will drop everything to go help another, speak up in the defense of others, etc. Overall, I am very much blessed to know so many courageously compassionate people--those listed and many others. They have swooped in and been heroes to me on many different occasions.

I am thankful for all who act compassionately, no matter how small and insignificant they may think the act. I am thankful for those that smile at me, those that say hi, for those that listen and give of their time, for those that let me sit by them without knowing who I am, for those that give of their talents in church or in other places, for those that speak up to defend those that are not present, and so many other things. I hope that I can have more courage and act more compassionately in my every day life with strangers and those close to me. I hope that I can be the hero someone needs as so many have been for me.

Blog Assignment--Teaching Philosophy

Often in education, we are asked why we wanted to become a teacher. I can't say that my answer has stayed consistent. Though I played "school" as a child, I was never one of those people that was 100% sure what they wanted to do when they "grew up." So I went to college, I took a basic education class--still wasn't sure. Later, I took a children's curriculum course and I loved it. I discovered that I thought it was fun to come up with fun ways to teach concepts, and I remembered what I had always known: I love children. I would love to give them a good start at reaching their potential.

That being said, when I have a classroom of my own I want all the students that walk in to know that they are important. Each child has something unique to bring to the classroom. I want to make it my mission to discover what that is for each student that comes into my classroom. In my classroom I want to keep my students engaged in their learning. I want to make sure that I continue my own learning so that I can be the best teacher I am capable of. As idealistic as this sounds, I hope to be able to meet the variety of needs that will be in each of my classes. I hope to keep my own excitement about teaching fresh so that I can teach with enthusiasm!

Three blogs that talk about teaching:

Kidblog
Class Blog
Newsletter Blog