I’ve been pondering my #OneWord for 2018 over the last few days. Many words have spun through my mind, but yesterday I actually experienced one that spoke to me.
Pure “goodness” is what I witnessed as we drove home from the mountains in the frigid cold of winter.
A bitter day. A mere heat burst had just come through and lifted us up to 9 degrees. Not the type of weather you want to be out in.
As we sat in our cozy warm truck we thought nothing of the hours of driving ahead. Never once did we think we would need anyone but ourselves to make this simple journey home… one that has been driven countless times.
Never once did we think we would need to rely on goodness in this world. In a society that lives with such fear and ugliness.
Do you worry? Do you fear harm coming your way… often wondering if pure goodness still walks the earth. I am not a natural worrier, but I do have others in my life that are… that find it difficult to trust, especially once they are scarred by fear.
I live in the moment. Generally not worrying about what lies ahead.
I believe in good.
The moral compass of goodness.
Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying that the world is not filled with kindness and those paying it forward. But as much as I feel goodness is a lot like acts of kindness, I do see a difference. As I create and instill this value with my students, these random acts can be calculated and in the safety of our own terms and conditions. Yes, they are amazing and wonderful and need to happen… even if we have to create the opportunity ourselves. However, I feel goodness spontaneously spills over in a moment… not necessarily a choice but rather a “moral or value” to live by.
goodness (ˈɡʊdnɪs)
n
1. the state or quality of being good
2. generosity; kindness
3. moral excellence; piety; virtue
Pure goodness is what I felt yesterday… moral excellence in another person.
As we drove down the highway, our check engine light came on and we had to pull over. Just as we came to a stop, we put our hazards on warning others of our situation. That’s when I witnessed goodness… a vehicle pulled up behind us without hesitation. Let’s face it, most people drive right by those in need… most likely assuming everyone travels with a phone these days and the chance of something bad happening overpowers the good.
We were lucky enough to not need assistance so we waved him along. He waved back and off he went down the highway. Pure Goodness rang through me. I had warmth in my soul. It felt to me to be beyond a random act of kindness. To me it felt that the traveler lived in the moment of goodness… the right thing to do… so pure.
This moment stayed with me for the rest of the ride. I never actually met the person, nor did he physically do anything to impact me, but his goodness had a lasting effect. The kind that changes the world. The kind that changes it for the better!
So I choose GOODNESS… PURE GOODNESS! I want to be able to give another person that same rekindled spirit and belief that there is goodness in the world. I want to act on what I believe and not live in fear of what the world has shown us through the lens of destruction. I myself have been a part of that destruction on a smaller scale. Maybe not news worthy, but so not okay nontheless. Oh, I mess up… life gets tricky. I have chosen a less admirable path over time… truth. I make no excuses. I own it. Now, I am empowered… with a better choice. I will take this opportunity and I will own it!
As Pirate leaders and teachers, we refer back to a compass quite often as we steer learning and leading within our districts and communities. Having my compass continuously point to good is so challenging when I am faced with negativity and unkind words. It is so crippling to have others choose negativity towards my actions of an open mindset. A mindset I have been blessed with through the actions of George Couros, the author and speaker that is changing the face of education with an educational best seller “Innovator’s Mindset”.
This year my compass will point to goodness. The pure kind to which my actions will live in every moment. I won’t overthink the reaction. I will not fear the negative closed mindset of individuals too afraid to create positive change. I will not fear being disliked. I will not fear being called out by closed mindsets. So go ahead…
Call me out…
because I will become the good! Compass set… I will strive for pure goodness!
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