JumpStart Oatmeal Monday (2/6/23)

Big Idea:  Control freaks and the role of suffering.

An Open Letter to Control Freaks Everywhere:

It’s human nature to judge, categorize, and compare. It’s also human nature to be feel unhappy. Could there be a connection?
This last weekend, I went to the beginner yoga class that my wife teaches every Saturday morning. (Spoiler Alert: she kicked my *$$)

As I lay on my mat during her intention-setting session at the beginning, I noticed that instead of listening with an open heart, I was listening for what I disagreed with, for what I would have done differently.

My action was so wrong on so many levels.

Pema Chodron also says, “You should never have expectations for other people. Just be kind to them.”

How many times a day are you disappointed because something or someone didn’t meet your expectations? Where did those expectations come from? A bias? A judgement? A comparison to something or someone else?
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This week, try this: The next time a student’s behavior disappoints you, ask yourself, “What pre-conceived expectation did I have for this student? Where did it come from? Why do I even have one?”

Quote:  "Suffering usually relates to wanting things to be different from the way they are."  ~Pema Chodron

Educator Resource:  EVERFI - Social & Emotional Curriculum - EVERFI uses community partners to fund their work, so it’s always free. As a tech coach, I used to recommend these resources to everyone. It had been a minute since I’d explored their offerings, and I see they have a whole section of SEL courses for ALL grade levels.

Dad Joke:  6:30 is the best time on a clock.  Hands down.

February is here! That’s snow day month.  If this was forwarded to you, and you’d like your own copy, sign up here. 
​~Matt