Janine Rees
28th August 2018
Sparkt began as a way to voice my own needs, opinions and concerns around current practice in schools in Australia; Brisbane in particular. My experience as a parent and teacher is as unique as all other personal experiences.
Though we are all so very different, there is one underlying, integrating factor and that is that we are all equal. No life is worth more than another and no one is worth less. Our equality unites us.
We all walk through life having differing experiences, creating various filters or lenses to view the world through. It has taken me a while to figure out who I am and what my role is, or my purpose in life and as I write now I laugh and think, “well it’s just helping to facilitate world peace,” but I’m not joking, I’m completely serious.
I am the eternal optimist. I see world peace as an achievable task. Not easy, but certainly possible! Perhaps not in my lifetime but it’s worth a shot.
We always want that road map. Today it all came together in every article I read, every task I undertook, every social media post I saw, even every sign I drove past directed me to this point and culminated in this simple blog post…a ‘to do’ list for achieving world peace.
Our indigenous brothers and sisters have long known this ‘how to’. A strong relationship with the self, kin and the land are integral.
To create a peaceful world of true equality we need to share our stories and to listen, deeply listen, to those shared stories respectfully.
We cannot argue or debate or invalidate or minimise someone else’s experience; it is theirs alone. We cannot judge others and we must stop judging ourselves. In this way we create strong relationships and connection to ourselves, others and nature. We hold space for others to do the same.
EQUALITY, RESPECT, DIVERSITY AND CONNECTION are the four pillars that world peace rests on. Respectful relationships are the pathway to peace.
To tease this out a little more..
Firstly, everyone needs to know they are perfect the way they are. Perfectly human. Everyone has flaws, quirks and weaknesses. Everyone makes mistakes and everyone has gifts, talents and strengths. I’m OK, you’re OK and there’s enough for everyone are not just sayings but doings.
Secondly, learning to non-violently communicate with our own inner voice and others is the way forward. We all know right from wrong from birth, our inner compass needs practise, recalibrating and strengthening. Guidance and support are certainly necessary, but knowing and understanding what to take on board and what to discard is vital in creating a healthy self worth.
Thirdly, we need to stop looking to others for leadership, validation and direction. We all have an inbuilt navigation system. Leadership is old school, as we’ve seen played out in our current revolving door, political system. Choosing to do right is an ongoing individual task. We may not understand another’s choice or path and their path may not be right for us, but we must respect it. Everyone is just making their way through life and doing the best they can. Live and let live.
Finally, with steps one through three mastered, the world would be filled with confident, passionate, good hearted, people who can share their skills and talents to give back to the world; make the world a better place.
Only when this scenario plays out in every home, school, community group, workplace and social sphere will we achieve peace. How wonderful that we now have the digital capabilities to support every individual in their quest.
With a healthy self worth and functional inner compass, the sky is the limit. We can use our new non-violent status to create peace in our world.
Take the time to sit in silence. Truly, deeply listen to yourself, follow your heart and inner guidance, as Steve Jobs said, “they somehow already know what you truly want to become!”
If there’s no path yet, create your own. Re-ignite the spark of your natural curiosity and support others on your way. Connect to yourself, others and the world.
Today NAPLAN results came out, for the last time I imagine. It’s time for a new education paradigm that involves the voices of all. Education by the people, for the people. I would love Sparkt to help to:
- share stories to inspire and facilitate positive change that supports each unique, individual
- encourage deep listening
- guide policy and practice at a local, state, federal and international level
- herald in and witness a new age of peaceful communication and existence
As Mandy Manning points out in the following article,
“As a 19-year veteran educator, I can attest that teaching looks different year-to-year and classroom-to-classroom. No two teachers have the same students, so they should be able to serve their students in different ways. That means having the time and latitude to get to know their students and plan instruction to reach the goals we have set.
The same can be said for the system in general. Each school district and each school within that district should have flexibility within their systems to meet the specific needs of their communities.”
This perfectly sums up my own thoughts and findings over the past six years. Sparkt began as my voice and has grown to include many voices of students, parents/carers, educators and the wider community; all interested in supporting holistic education that is driven by a student centred philosophy.
I believe society is a reflection of its system of education. Equality and democracy grow from shared wisdom and shared leadership amongst students, parents/carers, educators and the local and broader community; all working together for the betterment of society as a whole.
Wellbeing and peace are the altruistic goals. So share your stories and respectfully and deeply listen to others.
Every child has the right to equal opportunity in their education. Together we can do it!
Peace out!
Janine works with individuals, families, schools, community and sporting groups, business and government to facilitate positive transformation using a strengths based approach.
Contact Janine @sparktEd janine@sparkt.com.au
