Pieces Written to Read at the JH Writer’s Conference Open Mic
I saw the sign up form as I walked to the registration table at the Jackson Hole Writer’s Conference. As I filled out the forms, I was invited to sign up by writing my name next to a time slot.
“No thank you,” I said softly. Inside, my mind was shouting, do it. That voice, the voice telling me to step out of my comfort zone and step up to the microphone lingered. It was with me as I walked to my seat, as the speakers spoke, when I was chatting with other participants. The voice was with me as I rode my bike home. It was with me when I woke the next morning and it was with me as I walked into the Center For the Arts the next morning. As I added my name to the list the voice switched to, you are going to do this.
And I did.
These are the pieces I shared that day, I share them here with you now.
Turning the Inward, Outward
extrinsic rewards
praise
turns the inward
outward
to seek approval
of others
to determine their worth
no longer doing for
joy
discovery
pleasure
Life is Happening Now
What do we miss
When we talk about
preparing children for the future
Relationship Based
reciprocal
back & forth
exchange
responsive
it requires us to be
present
aware
in tune
we can listen
we can hear
we can meet the child where they are
and they will come to us
Power With
such fear
in losing control of a conversation
of the unknown
loss of power
instead we shut them down
to keep power
stay in control
rather than turn the conversation over
What might happen if…..
we invite
encourage
bring along
ask
wait
listen
read
there are many forms of expression
once we are open
Possibilities Overlooked
Children
explore on their own
Creating possibilities
adults often miss
What is known to adults
is
waiting
waiting to be discovered
By children
a natural sense
draws them in
curious
Participate
in what ways
do we
invite
invite children to be
a part of their education
a part, a part of their learning
their journey
their journey
to be a part of their journey
Derives From
Learning is
driven
Learning is
self-directed
Learning is
self-exploration
It derives from
wonder
curiosity
connecting
reflecting