Going to the Next Level

Posted in inspiration, UncategorizedTagged , , , , , , , , , , ,

“I am convinced all of humanity is born with more gifts than we know. Most are born geniuses and just get de-geniused rapidly.” – R. Buckminster Fuller

We are coming to the end of our school year. 28 more school days in third grade for Miss O. And 50 days until Mr. D graduates from his preschool program. Do you remember that feeling as a kid? Being not only ready for summer break but also ready to ascend to that next level?

It has me thinking of what milestones we have in our lives as grown-ups that celebrate our readiness to go on to the next level. There are some big ones like becoming an empty-nester or retirement. Or we have annual ones like birthdays, anniversaries, and New Years. But often, I find myself at those moments planning on what I’m going to do next instead of commemorating what I’ve learned.

Let me suggest that we take a moment to bring back that feeling of finishing a school year. To actually name something we’ve graduated from and celebrate it. I’ll start:

I’ve come to believe that I am enough. Or at least to understand that pretending to be someone else is ineffective. So if a situation or expectations make me feel otherwise, I try to slow enough to double-down on being me long enough to get through.

And by graduating, I don’t mean being done. It brings to mind another graphic from Miss O’s 3rd grade teacher:

It seems fitting on this last day of teacher appreciation week to honor our teachers by naming what we’ve learned. Are you with me? If you are stuck, maybe visit the list from Pick Three Affirmations to find a place to start.

(featured photo from Pexels)

For a story about the circle of life, please listen to our Sharing the Heart of the Matter podcast: Episode 66: The Power of Story with Wynne and Vicki.

We are changing our format starting with this episode. Vicki Atkinson and I are big believers in the power of story – to connect us, to create intergenerational healing, and to make meaning out of the events of our lives. To set the stage, we will be starting with someone telling a story in each episode.

To listen to the podcast, Search (and subscribe!) for Sharing the Heart of the Matter on Apple, Amazon, Spotify or Pocket Casts. Or subscribe to our YouTube channel to see a video clip of each story: @SharingtheHeartoftheMatter.

45 thoughts on “Going to the Next Level”

  1. For me, the last day of school meant liberation and playing with friends on hot summer days. I don’t recall thinking much about accomplishments past, present, or future. But if I had, the diagram of success on the right would have been on the money. Thanks, Wynne, for showing me what it looks like in most lives, assuming one gets past the squiggly lines.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. Even getting on the squiggly lines is an achievement. It means you’ve had the courage to try and are at least moving! I read somewhere that a rocket to the moon is off course 95% of the time. It just keeps correcting course.

        Liked by 2 people

  2. I ‘graduated’ from a nightmare that plagued me for 50 years, thanks to a yoga/counselor. I love Miss O’s 3rd grade teacher’s definition of success!!

    Liked by 1 person

  3. There’s always so much to learn in school and in life. It’s a journey, right?
    Like Miss O and Mr. D, I’m still learning, yes even at my age. Aside from formal learning, I’m curious about a lot that surrounds our journey on this planet. One thing I’m learning is being firm on boundaries. Not to push them and not to be pushed.
    And yeh, to the last day of school as a kid, and as a mom of young kids. I always loved it. And had traditions planned on the last day of school when my kids were young. Great memories. Enjoy yours. What fun!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Oh, I love your learning about boundaries. So good, Alegria.

      And now you have me thinking about end of school traditions. For both Mr. D and Miss O, we are leaving on vacation to mark the end but perhaps I should plan something special along the way!

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I love the ‘squiggly lines’ that Dr. Stein mentioned, too. Such an important reminder to children that life unfolds and moves in unexpected directions. I don’t think that can be said…drawn…described…enough! 🥰

    Liked by 2 people

  6. Wow, “de-geniused” is a powerful word, and it’s heartbreaking because I think it’s more true than many acknowledge. So much great food for thought here, Wynne.

    Liked by 1 person

  7. I remember when I learned to snow ski well enough to know I could get down any slope I found myself on even if I had to pizza all he way down. It was liberating. I can conquer whatever I encounter. That’s powerful. I’ve been riding a tandem bike with Larry for three years now and I finally feel confident that we can scale most any mountain we have to climb. That’s a huge metamorphous from a few years ago when I’d become overwhelmed with the smallest hills. Trusting in our strengths and skills to manage what life might throw at us is empowering. Great post Wynne. Hugs, C

    Liked by 1 person

  9. aha, you have me thinking about summer break as a kid. Wouldn’t it be great to have the summer off as an adult. I swear I’d go back to school rested and ready to tackle the world!!! Yes, my employer would lose me for a month or two, but something tells me they’d gain so much more from their workers. Oh, to dream. Ha, ha.

    Liked by 1 person

      1. It’s a classic battle. Yes, they would lose out upfront. JohnDoe would be gone for six weeks in the heart of the summer. But just imagine he comes back in the fall or even in 4Q. I know if that were me, I’d run through walls to make sure my work got done and surpassed expectations. To me, it would be an investment, yes pain today, but great things tomorrow! Yes, let’s make it happen Wynne. Ha ha ha

        Like

  11. Lets see. When the end of the school yr came .I felt free .Endless days of being with friends enjoying the sun. But lets see to think of what my next level was or what I have learned starting from where I am now. Lets see the freedom to be me.The real no nonsense no drama me and a bit more selfish of who gave ,give my kindness away to. That would be a well lesson learned.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Wonderful post, Wynne! I still remember the days when our son and daughter graduated from kindergarten. Such a cute event for the little ones wearing their cap and gowns. Milestones are important for all ages. Wishing you a Happy Mother’s Day! 🌷

    Liked by 1 person

  14. the end of the school meant the start of the summer when I went to the countryside where my granny used to live. There, I gathered with all my cousins and spent the whole summer together. You brought back beautiful memories, Wynne thank you!

    Liked by 2 people

  15. This school year just flew by. We are just 7 weeks away and I can’t believe it. I miss the feeling of being a kid when summers felt so long and as adults they just fly by.

    I think it’s perhaps that as a kid, there seems to be a new milestone and next level every year, whereas it doesn’t feel quite the same as adults. The years seem to fly and to blur with each other.

    Here’s to our kids enjoying their summer breaks ahead!

    Liked by 2 people

  16. I absolutely love the image of success that Ms. O teacher showed to her class, it’s a beautiful reminder that life is a journey full of details. Which reminds me of Pattie Sellers, who conceived the metaphor: “Careers are a jungle gym, not a ladder.” 

    Liked by 2 people

  18. Pingback: Going to the Next Level – TISholdings Pty Ltd

  19. With no yearly matriculation to the next grade level, the transition to summer is less pronounced now compared to being a kid. Summers were so blessed of a time back then. Baseball season; Boy Scout camp; swimming at the public pool, family vacations; riding our bikes to the library; staying outside until the street lights came on; fireflies and fireworks and campfires! We were conditioned during our formative years to this repeating pattern of luxurious freedom of summers amid locked in academics Winter/Spring/Fall, then we throw that pattern out as adults and play becomes stressed out two week intervals standing in lines to get aboard a plane, get a seat at a table, catch a ride at a theme park.

    Liked by 2 people

Comments are closed.