School days, school days
Dear old Golden Rule days
‘Reading and ‘riting and ‘rithmetic
Taught to the tune of the hick’ry stick
Do you remember this old song? My dad would whistle it at the beginning of each school year. It meant the end of summer days and carefree, unstructured days at the cabin.
As school started in our area, another memory washed over me – my extraordinary moment for the day.
Many years ago, we moved halfway across the country to our new home just in time for school to start.
New home. New neighborhood. New job. New friends. New community. Lots of “new.”
The first day of school arrived even though we were barely unpacked. There were
- new clothes
- new lunchbox
- new backpacks
- new school supplies
- new school nerves
Off we walked to school – all together because everything was so new and unfamiliar.
The kids had a great first day. Lots of excitement about new friends and adventures.
Well, most of them. Our youngest struggled to understand that he couldn’t go to school because he was too young. But that’s another story.
The next morning, as I woke the kids to get ready for school, our befuddled kindergartener said,
“But I did that yesterday.”
Struggling to maintain my composure, I explained that he had to go every day, not just one day, until he graduated from high school.
Watching him process this information was hilarious. His attitude was
“Been there. Done that. Time to move on to something else.”
He was serious. He’d rather be outside playing.
I’m still laughing.
Then I thought about this attitude.
“Been there. Done that. Not particularly interested, thank you very much.”
How often is this my attitude about something that doesn’t “wow” me immediately? Do I give up without giving an activity or person or learning opportunity a chance?
Yes, I do. Too often.
So while I sit here giggling at the memory, I’m reminded of this lesson: pushing through resistance results in great learning and growth.
My son did go back to school that day, and the next day, and the next. While school wasn’t his favorite, he loved to learn, just not in the traditional way.
What are you struggling with today that has you locked in the “been there, done that” attitude? Leave a comment below and tell me how you are pushing through the resistance to experience great growth.
Capture the extraordinary moments in the ordinariness of today.
