Being present

"Listening is such a simple act. It requires us to be present, and that takes practice, but we don't have to do anything else. We don't have to advise, or coach or sound wise. We just have to be willing to sit there and listen." --Margaret J. Wheatley, writer and management consultant.

The above quote came from SmartBrief, a daily e-newsletter from the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development (ASCD.) What struck me was not only the thought about "just listening," but the requirement to be present. Wheatley is totally correct in that being present takes practice - at least for most people - and can be downright difficult for many. Being present means we must look at the situation as it is and not through some preconceived perception that clouds what is currently happening.

I liken it to one of the stories I've heard about staying in the present moment. A car cuts you off on the interstate and immediately you become angry at the person. We are then asked if we would have the same reaction if we knew a loved one was being rushed to the hospital in an emergency. If we do not, we should realize that our perception and assumption about the other person's motives helped form our reaction.

I think the same holds true in education. Students believe they cannot do math, therefore the topic for the day becomes difficult, if not impossible. Adults see children who are disrespectful or not doing their work and form a perception that students, individually or collectively, are the problem. People have a certain belief about schools and they are prone to see those things that uphold that belief.

By staying in the present moment we do not cloud our perception of that moment by recalling past transgressions or problems. We are free to see the moment as it truly is and make decisions and grow from there.