I was given an amazing opportunity to present to a school on the subject of ‘Reflection’. This school was trying to address some behavioural issues and decided that delivering a fortnightly skit on ‘good’ behaviour at assembly would be part of the solution.
I saw this as an excellent opportunity to present to the whole school and to share the responsibility that we each have with the way we are, how we affect others and what we reflect to others from our choices and our way of being.
I decided that I didn’t want to speak to or at the students, but I wanted to show them with simple, practical examples in order to generate responses from them.
After I got the whole school’s attention by raising my hand and waiting patiently for everyone to stop, to look and to listen, I spoke in a low, calm voice and they tuned into my every word. There was no need for a microphone or for me to raise my voice. This was all setting the tone and feel for the presentation, as it was about reflection, so I was taking responsibility for everything I was actually reflecting to them by bringing gentleness to the way I spoke, the way I walked, the way I looked and engaged with my eyes.
I asked the whole school to just watch, explaining that I was going to do the one action three times and they had to observe very carefully.
I asked the students to pay attention to:
- what they see
- what they hear
- most importantly, what they feel.
At the back of the hall I had 3 chairs and at the front of the hall I had 3 papers, 3 pens and a whiteboard.
Firstly I stormed to the back of the hall, my heels making lots of noise and magnifying the anger I was walking in: I grabbed a chair, stormed back with it, banged it down at the front of the hall, wrote something on the board aggressively and slammed down the paper and pen on the chair.
Secondly, after taking a moment to bring myself back to being gentle, I gently walked to the back of the room, bringing presence to every step and gracefully making my way to the chair. I walked with my head up and my posture correct. I caringly picked the chair up in a way that supported my body and with presence, walked it back to the front of the room, paying attention to the way and care of how I placed it down. I wrote on the whiteboard with gentleness, allowing myself to feel my fingertips as I wrote. I then placed the pen and paper on the chair with care, making sure it was where it needed to be.
Thirdly, I walked back down to the end of the hall with my head down and shoulders slumped with each step having a dragging, given-up feel to it. I then took hold of the chair and dragged it to the front of the hall in a disregarding way; I sloppily wrote on the board and just dumped the pen and paper on the chair.
From here I asked the children one question:
“Which one out of the three chairs would you like to sit on?”
They all pointed to the middle one and from the principal sharing with me afterwards, the kindy, pre-primary and year 1’s not only pointed but were up on their knees pointing to the middle one.
From here the discussion and communication was amazing. I opened it up and asked: What did you see? What did you hear? What did you feel? What did you observe and what happened to your body during each skit?
‘When you walked angrily I felt scared and didn’t want to be near you.’
‘When you walked gently I felt cared for.’
‘When you stormed down I could feel the floor move.’
‘When you dragged the chair it felt like you didn’t care’ and so on . . .
We were then able to discuss true reflection and how we affect others with the way we speak, the way we walk and the way we look. This presentation gave me an enormous appreciation for the power of reflection: the effect of what I presented to the students was astounding.
They really got it and participated fully, feeling the power of what I shared. Another awesome confirmation happened the next day in my year 6 class – the first girl who walked in said ‘I am going to do what Ms did yesterday with my chair’ and six others followed her doing the same. The ripple effect!
Inspired by the true reflection, work and presentations of Serge Benhayon, the practitioners of Universal Medicine and the student body.
By Johanna Smith, Waikiki, Perth WA
Bachelor of Education (Major Special Needs, Minor Psychology), Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood, Practitioner of Esoteric Therapies, Wife, Mother, Teacher, Practitioner, Writer
Further Reading:
Serge Benhayon – A Real Example of Walking the Talk
Inspired by Serge Benhayon & Universal Medicine: Feeling the True Me
700 Comments
There is no denying that when it comes down to it we all know what is true, and what is love. We all clearly understand the communication we are receiving from each other on a daily basis – with no words required!
YUM -how awesome is this!
Yes definitely Kylie – the communications we make through our bodies in how we walk, talk and behave speak loud and clear, in some cases even more so than words!
I would say definitely so. And maybe this is what confuses us at times when what is coming out of someone’s mouth doesn’t correspond with what we feel is communicated from their bodies.
Hi Johanne, how often we are told what to do, spoken “to” and directed verbally in some way, but there was no better way for you to communicate so much than to do so as you did – without words. This is a good learning for me too, of the effects of my every move and choice on others. This skit would be great for adults also.
Hi Johanna – thank you for your beautifully expressed blog of your experience presenting ‘reflection’ to your class. I was truly held as the story unfolded and could feel fully the effect each example would have had on the pupils. How absolutely beautiful to be provided with the opportunity to share in this way. Awesome.
What an amazing opportunity for kids, to teach them about the effect we have on each other all of the time – your presentation by the sounds of it has made an enormous difference – A great reminder for adults too.
WOW Johanna – so inspiring. I am absolutely feeling the power of what you have shared. Moved to tears in fact feeling the glory of your might and the light you shine. What a blessing you are where you work, and all that you share with. Thank you for reflecting so powerfully that there is another way. That we all can feel energy and with this have a responsibility of the energy we choose, and that we all can recognise what true love feels like.
Thank you Carola. The beauty about sharing a skit was that it allowed others to express and claim that we do know and we do feel everything.
Great stuff Johanna. Such practical examples are a-plenty. Kids get-it and so too the adults when it’s made accessible. I’d definitely rather sit in the middle chair!
Thank you Oliver. The middle chair is my preference also!
I was so touched by this blog, especially the part where the children were so keen to say the middle chair. A shining example of what is possible with responsibility in life.
Johanna I loved reading this blog – the power of reflection and the ripple effect it has. What an inspiration you are to the kids at school and many others around you.
Johanna, you have shown how simple it is to truly connect to children and how responsive they are to love and expression of love and how they love it too by your own reflection, thank you.
Exactly – The simplicity of this skit is such an inspiration how easy truth can be felt from everyone.
Johanna what a powerful experience you offered the students and the ripple effect you created with your reflection. This is true education in action. May there be many more teachers like you to populate our schools.
Absolutely Patricia ‘true education in action’ and an awesome reflection for humanity whether they were actually present at the assembly or not.
Johanna what a great way to share the impact of the way we are with ourselves with your school community. I love that you choose to demonstrate this with your own body not just share it verbally as from what the children expressed it was a truly powerful message!
I find that when I speak and act from my body that it is really felt because it is coming from my lived way but when I only speak from my head then it’s just words, so no truth is felt.
Wow, Johanna I am deeply inspired with the simplicity of this practical example that you presented to the children. Thank you 🙂
absolutely gorgeous Johanna no words could have conveyed this message as strongly and what a blessing for these young kids to be reminded of this power of reflection and the power of choice in how we do things at this young age!
Beautiful Johanna, the simple and yet profound example you showed the school!
I often forget how powerful these actions are and will surely remember this if I ever have to show kids the differnce between hardness and gentleness.
Children are so very wise and so are you Johanna. I imagined how I would have felt if I experienced a teacher present this at school – I feel it would have been life changing.
Thank you Leone. I appreciate your gorgeous expression.
Johanna, that is true inspiration, I can only imagine how incredible it would be for all the teachers as well as the children to experience that little play. It seems like it could be life changing for many, an experience not to be forgotten and taken on for the rest of their lives. Even when we fall away from gentleness and tender care into hardness or giving up, the opportunity is always there to return. I look forward to hearing more of your teaching stories, they are immense and quite lovely.
Stephen G that is beautifully said – indeed this experience can be life changing for many, most people have the
ability to recognize the gentleness we once came from.
Johanna, this is so powerful and I could really feel it. If we taught our children about the power of reflection and awareness of our bodies at a young age our world would be a different place to live in. Thank you.
I know! I can also imagine how amazing it would be if this was taught to children as part of their education from their parents and teachers. It should actually be the priority.
Definitely Anne – its super important to teach young kids about the power of reflection and awareness! It would give them the ability to observe the world rather than react to it.
Wow Johanna thank you for sharing this. It just goes to show how perceptive we are to the seeming everyday movements we and others carry out. We can pick up on and sense when others are walking angrily or slam doors shut for example. Until reading this I hadn’t really given much thought to other people reading my movements but it does happen. What we do can be picked up by everyone, the vastness of such a consideration is huge when I think about everyone I come into contact with on a daily basis. As I am starting to feel the quality of my movements that then means that everyone can pick up on what I am feeling, there are no personal bubbles when it comes to energy.
I love the way you have phrased this – that there are no personal bubbles when it comes to energy.
I know that I watch people a lot- I see and feel their walk, their expression, their movements etc I know when there is a flow and when there is not.
People watch all the time and they pick up on everything – especially someone who is being true and consistent.
This is true, people watching all the time. Sometimes I catch a look when they think I can’t see them watching me. I am aware of my responsibility and the energetic imprint I leave behind.
That is a great phrase, and perfectly captures the way we can be when we are in our “stuff”, mind whirring away, and not paying attention to what we are doing and how we are moving. Not only does this have an affect on our own bodies, but the others who live with us or work with us are also picking up on that. It is as if we don’t see outside of our own bubbles but everyone else is able to see into everybody else’s!
So true Leigh, ‘We can pick up on and sense when others are walking angrily or slam doors shut for example’, I always feel this and so does my son, we often comment to each other when someone slams a door or throws something down in a hard way, kids really feel this, it is great for this to be talked about in schools so children will not doubt what they are feeling.
Fantastic sharing Johanna what an amazing school assembly! Love the ripple effect – so awesome.
Fabulous, if actions speak louder than words, then how much more powerful is the communication from the energy behind those actions. Thank you Johanna.
Everything we do, say, think or feel has an impact. After reading your blog at work I even realized more what kind of impact I have. Not only towards my direct colleagues but actually the entire building with 700 people.
It’s huge when we allow ourselves to feel how much of a part we each have to play in life and what the divine impact can be if we choose to take responsibility for our quality.
“Everything we do, say, think or feel has an impact.” This is huge, to be able to fully understand that we have to be willing to take full responsibility of our actions – even our thoughts!
Wow, what a deeply profound, very practical and relatable skit you have shared with a whole school, on how our behaviour impacts ourselves and others. You have offered them a very valuable lesson for life. You are awesome role model Johanna.
I agree, its brilliant that Johanna is ensuring these kids are not just taught what they need to know about different subjects, but about how to like responsibly as a person.
Wow the power of reflection and the responsibility we all have to be aware of the energy of every single movement we make awesomely demonstrated. Thank you for sharing Johanna and the ripple effect the next day in your classroom and doubtless many others.
I can feel The more we take responsibility to be aware of everything including our movements, the more powerfully we reflect who we truly are. And this automatically, with no words needed allows others to be and feel who they truly are.
Dear Johanna this is stunning, revolutionary, simple and absolutely amazing. This is such a great exemple of reflection. So simpel…so practical and so wise. Thank You for sharing this with the world. With love Nadine
That assembly is embedded in every one of those children, forever. What you presented to the children has the potential to save lives, what I mean is that true life lessons like that never leave and help them when they are decision making adults. As the influences of life pull many down, there is an influence firmly inside them that can remind them all that there is another way and can pull them up. Absolutely fantastic Johanna.
I agree Matthew…the inspiration would have touched many hearts that day and for many years to come. Everyone had confirmed that day that what one feels is important and true…it was a great 101 lesson on energy all wrapped up in a very simple demonstration that delivered so many messages of gold. Simply brilliant Johanna.
It was definitely a true life lesson. Imagine if these lessons were presented to us from young- perhaps we would not end up with the ‘cut throat’ interactions and way of acting that the business industry is known for, the control and manipulation in other systems or the general disregard and inconsideration that can happen between people in work places or in families.
That is so true and really lovely to feel.
Johanna, wow this is simply beautiful. What a gift for those children to experience what you shared with them and more importantly, the reflection and ripple effect with the year 6 students. What you shared with them was just so simple, yet profoundly impactful. How blessed are they to have you there teaching them and bringing your grace and love to their hearts.
This is such a brilliant way to show children the effect of energy, Johanna, instead of talking at them or explaining to them, to demonstrate it for them. They then will naturally experiment with it themselves. I love the ripple affect it had that will go on spreading. What a great opportunity you had to help these children understand how their moods and behaviour affects everyone. Every school could benefit from the way you presented it.
Johanna, what a great idea for a presentation, so simple and communicative – and lovely to hear how the children responded. To me it demonstrates the fact that we all know the truth, we just need reflections and inspired teachers like yourself to remind us of what is true. A blessing for your school to have you there.
Absolutely – we do All know truth. We can all feel it in our bodies.
We do know truth, and you, Johanna were helping to confirm what the children were feeling.
What a simple but powerful example that everyone can relate to. I love that this was a practical example, so you don’t need to convince anyone or explain anything. We all get it! We all know what feels right to be around but sometimes forget what our reflection is giving off to others. The response of your class wanting to be like Ms shows just how important reflection can be.
Totally Fiona.
Absolutely Fiona, a simple and powerful presentation on how we have an impact on all. Bring on more presentations like this, very beautiful.
Johanna that’s amazing ! What an awesome gift you have given to everyone that was there.
What an awesome reflection you are Johanna, these children have felt it clearly in their bodies and will have this marker forever to go back to. Very very inspiring to read.
Johanna that is awesome. For all of those students to truly feel the difference between your three examples and to express how they felt shows true reflection at its best. I love it thank you for sharing.
Thank you Kelly. Yes the children what they felt was the best bit for me. It was truly delicious to hear them voice out loud that which they are already feeling and seeing.
And how amazing ist this – you have shown them how to go there, into their inner knowing, this is true teaching on its highest!
This is brilliant Johanna, your example was so simple and so readily understood by the children. By truly feeling , we truly learn.
So,soo true, Adele……By Truly feeling, we truly learn.
So true, by truly feeling we truly learn – I love this.
You certainly made the most of the opportunity presented. This is a great sharing and one that I am sure lots of us can echo in one way or another.
That’s the beauty of reflection – absolutely everyone has the opportunity and choice to reflect.
Beautiful. I like this type of education.
This is education that everyone can relate to, as it is felt so clearly. I taught a child yesterday and asked him his news, he had none, I asked him how his teacher felt at school today and he said not as angry as usual. I did wonder how much more there was to share there but it is a skill I am still developing and didn’t push it. I wonder how many children are similarly affected, children respond to gentleness so it makes sense to practice being gentle in our lives.
Just being asked that question gives children the opportunity they don’t get anywhere else to be very real.
So many children when asked about how they are or their day say “good”. That is what they have been taught to say. Their faces may be sad when they say it, or even angry. I am learning how to give them the opportunity to say what is going on, without intruding or prying; just being willing to listen in a way I would have loved at the same age.
This is true Rachel. Children are rarely given the opportunity to express what they have felt any given situation to be, how they have read the energy before them.
Many of us, me included have been brought up in away that did not allow us to truly feel and to express what we feel. In fact most of the way the world is, is designed to shut down our innate awareness and the expression of that awareness.
It’s so true Stephen, children respond to gentleness strongly. They also respond brilliantly to truth when it is offered and often amaze me at what honesty comes back as a result.
Me too – because it is based on truth and resonates with every fibre of our beings – as demonstrated by the children ‘up on their knees’ in response to what they had seen, heard and felt for themselves without being dictated to. Truly gorgeous in every sense.
I agree Concetta, this is the way I wish I had been taught in school. Someone willing to honour the fact that I felt as much, if not more than I could remember. It creates such an open conversation and space for real learning.
That was really awesome Johanna , I could fully imagine them all watching the show , a very powerful way of teaching kids and adults as well about our responsibility for the energy we do things in.
I totally agree Greg, very powerful indeed.
I reckon they were spellbound, at last something real and tangible they could feel and relate too! Well done Johanna.
Powerful and tangible. What Johanna presented to the children was something so simple and that they could relate to but it also gave them the opportunity to feel, discuss and reflect. How often or how many of us teach in a way children and young people can at first feel and then discern or confirm what they felt from that feeling? The normal way is to just regurgitate information instead of allowing it to come from them. I feel this is incredible what Johanna has presented and that she has paved a new way for others in this field.
Absolutely, Vicky! This is education for life not for test scores.
What a powerful and practical example of how everything we do or say can be felt by others! And what a beautiful reflection of the power of gentleness and self care in our expression. Love the blog!
Powerfully is definitely the word to use here and absolutely NO holding back. This is awesome and inspiring and I do not think these two words even do what you have presented here justice .. I will have to dig deeper in my vocabulary. ‘the effect of what I presented to the students was astounding.’ it sure was. What are you going to do next? : )
Johanna, I had goosebumps reading this. You showed enormous courage exposing yourself like this and respecting them so much that they would get what you are presenting. This is beautiful.
Thank you Christoph. It was also lovely for the other teachers to hear and feel the children’s responses.
And they received the lesson too Johanna. That teaching went far further than the children….rippling out through everyone in the room and now through us with the blog.
The kids would have taken what they learned home too, to parents, siblings, friends and relatives. It’s probably being re-presented by one of the kids as we write.
Yes, and wonder if because they experienced and felt the choice of the middle chair, it will be expressed differently from the ‘teacher says’ comments that get brought home from school
Absolutely that assembly is not embedded in those children, forever. I can only imagine the impact as I thought about how I would feel if I’d experienced that as a child and I can only imagine that it would have been emblazened in my psyche. Along with, as you say Matthew, it will no doubt be with them when they get older and make adult decisions. Was so amazing to read.
Wow, I wish I had seen that demonstration when I was very young. It is something that I would have never forgotten. And then I would not have gone on to sometimes become frustrated and bang doors etc. I never realised in the past the effect that I was having on others. Of course now, when others do it in my hearing, I absolutely cringe as if I have been hit.
So true Christoph. There was great respect in what Johanna did and I loved this blog for so many reasons. It was real and practical and up to people to decide and feel for themselves. So often we stand up to ‘tell people off’ for their behaviour or tell them to be another way. Johanna what you did was so so so so awesome because you trusted yourself, became a living example and was courageous to address a situation in a completely different manner and look at the response. Inspirational.
Yes it is often the norm to tell children rather than show them. This simple exercise was profound on many levels. Our education system is based on the dissemination of knowledge where the mind is king. To educate children on what comes through the body and how this affects them and everyone around them is ground breaking – new territory, but one we have been living with without awareness and without doubt, urgently needs addressing.
Yes indeed. Show not tell. That should be the new world motto – I am officially declaring it as of today!
Wow! What a great read!
You demonstrate so simply and powerfully how we impact on our world.
This should be presented in every school, home and workplace across the globe.
I totally agree Ariana as what a support this would be, many people have no idea how they are with others and how they effect others in this way. It was not until Universal Medicine and the many courses that is presented by Serge Benhayon that I started to really understood that I was actually hurting others in this way by acting and talking in an angry/frustrated way. Amazing that we are not educated with this in our families and in our schooling, imagine the change in the world if we were.
Agree Ariana and Amina, this should be taught everywhere. I know that I didn’t pay much attention to the way I was and how it might affect others until Universal Medicine as well, and it has changed my life so much.
We are so used to seeing ‘Behavioural issues’ as something coming from the outside in rather than a result of our life choices. Reflecting that there is another way to live is so great for all to see.
Absolutely Ariana and an very important teaching.
Yes absolutely Ariana. It is how we are living that reflects the truth of our lives in full.
Yes amazing observation and insight Amina, the power of awareness changes the way we live, how we interact with people and develop or expand the society and world we live in.
So true Zofia – when we apply this in our daily lives boy what a difference we make to our selves as well as all others we come into contact with.
Yes Ariana, imagine if we did present this everywhere we went!
It would reflect the state of our relationships with ourselves and with each other.
We would get to see how we treat our colleagues, partners, neighbours, service providers and the list goes on.
The discussions that followed could change the state of many classrooms, staff rooms and offices across the globe.
What an opportunity for school children in Johanna’s school to now talk about what gentleness and reflection means on a daily basis in the class room.
The word reflection has just expanded in it’s meaning and possibility for me.
Great blog!
When I imagine if this was presented to everyone at school I know that the world would be a very different place. It is fantastic that there are finally school teachers who are now doing this.
Hear hear, Bernadette, ‘This should be presented in every school, home and workplace across the globe.’ This was and is a powerful lesson for life and how we live it.
In itself it is a great perspective to present this everywhere we go like Johanna did at her school. It means that everywhere I go, whoever I meet, whatever I do, whoever I talk to, whatever I get reflected back is a reflection of me. That is big.
I agree Caroline, especially as all the kids pointed to the right chair. Clearly we are aware of a lot more than we normally would say. The concept of not wanting to sit on a chair where an angry or contracted person sat is quite advanced.
It can! If we continue to present in our Livingness in our own homes, schools and workplaces the ripple effect will magnify out and be felt by all, even if they’re not consciously aware of it at the moment. Energetic responsibility is huge, when you think that “someone will be walking in your footsteps….”
Every word spot on Sandra, this really highlights our responsibility to reflect the gentle. loving harmony in our lives
These ripple effects actually have gargantuan impact! I remember talking to someone at a mother and toddler group once about something and whilst she wasn’t really into what I was saying there was another mother who was listening. She came up to me several weeks later to tell me how inspired she had been by the conversation and how it had supported her! As a teacher myself I know I will never get to see the positive outcomes of the influence I have had, because it is often as simple as a feeling that you leave with someone – that they are held in love and have been met for who they are. This alone can turn someone’s future potential choices from a potential negative to a positive as they take it with them for always, a foundation that feels strong and warm – something to come back to when they feel lost.
This is awesome Michelle thankyou for sharing. It is so true what you have shared. The ripple effect is huge and I too have experienced this. It’s the loving connection we share with people that makes the world of difference and people do feel that immensely.
Yes and there is no better reflection for me in this than with my students at school. If I am gentle and loving and receptive so are my students. If I am off, they are ratty and distracted and wobbly also. It never ceases to amaze me.
And it doesn’t matter Michelle if you know or not. I still remember an English teacher who came to my school when I was 14 or 15. She was with us for a brief while, pregnant and after leaving to have her baby, didn’t return. But her way of being and impact remains with me until today. And it is exactly as you have described it here: ‘it is often as simple as a feeling that you leave with someone – that they are held in love and have been met for who they are’ In her presence we all came alive, touched by her warmth and equal acceptance of everyne of us. A lesson with her was like a blessing.
It’s great to read some positive experiences from school teachers, most of what comes out of education is quite negative yet everyday there is this opportunity to connect with the amazing quality that children have and really engage them in learning and life. From the teachers and teaching assistants I see it is clear they need support on how to engage children and create boundaries that make learning fun while also creating respect and discipline without that word needing to be harsh or controlling.
So true Stephen, ‘make learning fun while also creating respect and discipline without that word needing to be harsh or controlling.’ I can feel that there is such a big difference here, I have observed how teachers can go into being harsh and controlling, not knowing another way, when i was at school there were teachers whose methods were to scare the students into doing what they were told, the children were really scared, this was not an enjoyable experience and did not support me with learning. There were also teachers who did make learning fun and that I felt respected by and it was the subjects taught by them that I enjoyed and really committed to.
Beautifully shared Michelle. ‘it is often as simple as a feeling that you leave with someone – that they are held in love and have been met for who they are.’ I sometimes forget how huge it is to be met in this way and that each meeting we have is an opportunity to hold another in love.
That would be Amazing!
I agree Ariana, this is a skit that could be shown everywhere – it’s reflection is mighty.
Agree Sally, it should be a skit that is shown everywhere, its reflection is massive and needs to be shared. So simple but profound.
I also agree, It felt powerful just reading it. This would be great for all to experience.
Totally agree Ariana, what a simple yet so effective demonstration of how we effect ourselves and others.
I agree with you… It should be presented everywhere! The way we move and the quality we move in affects everyone around us. It’s so obvious when shown in the way that Johanna has done, but we are not taught this when young and are not aware as adults even though we all know. Imagine if this was taught in every school, at least once, what an impact that would have?
I agree Rachel. To know that how you choose to move, speak and do things in, leaves an energetic imprint behind you and can affect all those who encounter you and it would mean new understanding of what responsibility is. If each person globally became aware of this fact we would truly revolutionalise relationships
Yes Michelle and Rachel, and the fact that we do not see visibly what (i.e. the energetic imprint) we leave behind, is an excuse to avoid being responsible, or taking responsibility. Choosing to see through feeling what we do feel, and as in the case here with the school example, is a great step towards awareness, and so responsibility.
I agree Rachel – what a life lesson this is, to understand how our actions affect others and be aware of this fact. This is something that can be taught at any age and I just love this live example Johanna presented. It shows that even the smallest things people to pick up on can make a big difference. Especially as we live at a time when sometimes we are afraid to speak up or ask questions so we have got into the habit of observing people and copying what they do. So the more we can live and reflect in a way that is loving, the more others can benefit from this and perhaps be inspired to make choices they otherwise would not have, were it not for a choice we made.
Imagine this in workplace relations training! No dry lectures, just this demonstration and workshopping it by moving chairs and writing on paper.
This would be a life changer, for the office and for home.
So true Rachel. No longer having to sit and wait for the next break…
That certainly would be a life changer Rachel. I’m sure it would help the work efficiency too. If people aren’t being so bombarded with others emotions and are more aware of their own it helps free up a lot of energy.
I agree Ariana, each time I have presented something similar at Women’s Groups across the world I have been met with a similar response to Johanna. So simple but so profound.
I agree Ariana – the workplace is filled with training courses on how to present, how to be a more productive worker, how to master processes – but how about the simple teaching of our actions towards others. How about teaching the way we do things are just as important is what we are doing.
What an opportunity for much of the corporate sector whom most of which are tired, unmotivated, and seeing work as ‘just a job’.
What strikes me is that so many of those courses had complex techniques often with fancy ad contrived mnemonics…whereas learning’ the way we do things are just as important is what we are doing’ seems super simple …and far more effective!
Yes Hannah, this is such a profound reflection for any one of us in whatever profession or walk of life we are in. I was astounded by the power of what Johanna did here, so simply,showing so clearly that the way in which we do everything has an effect on everyone/everything. The kids certainly felt it. We all do feel what is harmonious and what is a disturbance around us, and in us, all the time.
Johanna I love how you set the scene, by holding your hand up until you had everyone’s attention without having to say anything, and the children were able to feel that there was something different in what you were about to present. I agree with Ariana the simplicity with what you brought to the school should be taken everywhere not just schools.
I agree, it is a WOW blog, when I read this I can feel how amazing it is that Johanna created that instant connection with the children. And it had nothing to do with being authoritative but instead having the awareness to connect to the children, recognising that they are precious and allow them to feel that they were valued and cherished. Everyone wants to be loved and the more we bring this type of loving care to teaching the better it will be for all.
Very true Stephen! I could really sense the power of what Johanna was achieving in this description.
Sometimes that great divide which exists between youngsters and adults seems like a yawning chasm.
What Johanna managed to demonstrate here is very encouraging!
Yes Jonathan, and as adults our focus should be on reducing that chasm at every opportunity. When I find myself talking at, or down to children I cringe, as it is the surefire way to lose their attention. It amazes me that I still do it as it is so clear that this is the most unsuccessful way to try and create a connection and hold their attention.
Awesome observation Stephen G.
I agree Ariana, it should be presented everywhere, everyone cab be fit, from adults to children. Once everyone has greater understanding to the impact we make on the world, then possibly the world will become a more harmonious place.
Last year I bought a long handle brush and dustpan and promised myself that I would sweep my kitchen floor every day. I am amazed just how much dirt I sweep up, there is only me living here, where does it all come from?
It is an opportunity to see my physical impact everyday and reflect on what would be in my ‘energetic ‘ dustpan.
Ariana you nailed it that would be awesome – let us start to do so because our kids are in need of this.
Awesome Johanna! You had my full attention during the sharing of your presentation and could easily see why the children “got it”, and without you speaking a word! What a wonderful opportunity you gave them to feel the different energy you were in during each example, and then be able to identify how it felt to them and to be able to express it so clearly. And then of course, there was the magic of the ripple effect! An important lesson that I am sure they will remember for a very long time. I know that I will!
Thank you Ingrid. Yes it was a very powerful experience.
It was lovely to hear the kids expressing so clearly- it makes me realise that they are already seeing and feeling everything but are not always supported to express it so honestly.
Yes, Johanna, it is so simple but we have to experience it ourselves. I got goosebumps reading your description but 10 years ago I would probably have considered it interesting but no more – unless I was there. A description would not have been enough.
And you where not talking “at” them. I so clearly remember being told what to do by teachers but there was no meaning in it – they were just saying words that they had to say to a group of kids they had not connected to. Nothing conveyed, and nothing learned. I used to just switch off, and I know other kids did too.
Your lesson is something that will stay with those children forever.
What I can feel too is the teachers that really want to connect with children and those that are waiting for the day or the week to end. Teaching can be a joy but perhaps more of the importance of connection and understanding needs to be taught to trainee teachers. There is such an emphasis on results now, we need to get back to the element where the person it taught first, not a statistic or a potential exam result. And of course getting the teachers to value and care for themselves makes all of this much more possible, which I guess is where a project like ‘Teachers Are Gold’ really comes into its own.
Great points Stephen. It is so important for the trainee teachers to relearn how to make connection the priority, for themselves and with the kids. No one likes being talked at and we all have experienced how different it feels when someone actually talks with us. The current system is a challenge for teachers and takes them away from their passion from teaching. This is why supporting trainee teachers to learn to care for themselves is vital. Then they will have the vitality and care to be great role models for our kids.
Yes, teaching teachers to take care of and value themselves and build their connection is vital. From there teachers will more naturally connect with children. The education system also has to stop making it only about academic results, and incorporate making it about the person.
I agree Stephen the importance of self care for teachers is really important. I work in a clinic for people with burn out and depression and there are many teachers among the patients.
And no doubt with the adults who also saw and felt it. I can imagine the ripple effect of that through the school.
Yes Stephen the focus is so much on results, that connection is not given much importance. There is an expectation that its there, but its not taught at teacher training college. Unfortunately self care for teachers is also not high on the priority list, but the drop out rates and high sickness levels indicated that the system is not working.
I wonder Stephen how many of those teachers who are counting down the minutes until the last bell on Friday, deep inside really do care about the children, do care about their education, but have just become overwhelmed by a system that they feel helpless within.
“Teachers are Gold” is a vitally important project. It changes the game forever by offering teachers all that is possible when they value themselves. What a light they then shine for their students and what world changer that is.
What you write is so true. There is nothing more powerful than giving the example in who you are by your movements and actions. I remember from when I was a kid, the teacher who had the biggest impact on me was one who was congruent – her words matched her deeds / actions towards me e.g. the way she treated me as equal. I will never forget that – her reflection.
Yes thanks for the reminder Caroline, it was the teaches that really connected with me and treated us as equals and was consistent that I remember.
Yes, great reminder Caroline. I remember a teacher at primary school and I’ll never remember exactly what was taught but I remember feeling really accepted and celebrated for who I was. That’s gold!
With another teacher I still remember the fear of learning my tables. To this day I still don’t know them. This tells me fear based learning shows me all that is learnt is the fear of not knowing the answer.
Yes Caroline my favourite teachers inspired me through their respect and wisdom shared with us equally. These are tools we can all take into our day to day lives wherever we go. The true beauty is in the connections we hold.
Absolutely Rachel, talking at them or to them hurts to see, feel and do. Talking with them supports the connection.
And Heidi, it carries on into adulthood, the office and our relationships…and it all starts back here when we are so young. Talking with children as we want to be spoken to (its no different) allows them to flourish from who they truly are.
Agree Heidi and also Rachel too the point you make about carrying this into adulthood — and would add in here how we as employees are managed, promoted or lead teams/companies. One of the common reasons why people leave jobs, or feel compelled to join a company is directly because of this element of support that’s either there, or missing. Connection, and feeling connected with who we work with being so vital in the workplace.
Hear, hear Rachel. An indelible imprint on the lives of these children. Awesome stuff.
Isn’t this example a powerful demonstration for simplicity and truth. I love what every child has said. What an awesome opportunity for the children to have this reflection of Johanna.
Kids are such a radar for equality and connection. When they are being talked at they switch off, trying not to feel the emptiness of the words and the lack of engagement the teacher has with them. I see the same thing though at work with adults. In work meetings there can be lots of glazed eyes and hiding behind laptops. We really need to look at the way we move and speak, so that people feel included and safe and engaged.
What you are bringing to the kids is their real reflection, that is beauty and amazingness and naturally knowing their love. What a blessing for them to have a teacher like you.
I agree, Ingrid, I also could easily see why the children “got it” as you say. I also got it, and felt the different energies in each example that Johanna gave them. This is something that should be demonstrated in every school. But it would need the person doing the presentation to be able to demonstrate the differences in energy that Johanna so ably did.
Yes I could too see why the children ‘ got it’- and I love how you gained their attention so simply right at the start, no need for yelling or demanding their attention. They naturally wanted to connect with you and obviously learned so much from what you shared with them in that example. Wow Johanna, I want to come back to school if that’s what it can be like!
The kids got to see an adult reflecting what they already knew. This is rare for an adult to admit and confirm to kids the fact of energy and how much that affects us. This is very empowering for kids to trust what they feel and not get caught in the game we all play of pretending energy isn’t affecting us.
Agreed Ingrid, me too
Yes Ingrid and it is because Johanna shared with her students in full connection with herself. The students could feel her connection in full and then mirrored that reflection of connection back. A grand mirror that supports all. I love that.