2. Empower

Empower intentional learning & life-crafting.

A mindful look at navigating education to create a happy and purposeful life.
“Intentional living is the art of making our own choices before others’ choices make us.”  -Richie Norton
This pillar is all about the purpose of education. What are we trying to give students through schools, teaching, learning? After many years of teachignadn workign with kids I’ve tried to answer this question as succinctly as possible. The best words I’ve come up with to convey this is that we are trying to empower intentional learning and life-crafting. We are trying to give kids a great experience now as well as set them up for a great future. I’ll break it down.

Empower

I chose this word because we don’t want to teach learned helplessness. We don’t want our children to be dependent. We want to give them the power and the tools to stand on their own two feet

Intentional learning

Teachers teach and students learn. I prefer the term learners over students. Learner seems to imply that the individual has an active role in the learning process, they have power. Student implies a more passive and less powerful role. A learner who is learning intentionally knows who she is as a learner! because they know who they are as a learner, they have the ability to communicate their needs. They have the skills to self-advocate and make choices in how they process information so they can get the most out of these experiences.
“Dare to dream! If you did not have the capability to make your wildest wishes come true, your mind would not have the capacity to conjure such ideas in the first place. There is no limitation on what you can potentially achieve, except for the limitation you choose to impose on your own imagination. What you believe to be possible will always come to pass – to the extent that you deem it possible. It really is as simple as that.” -Anthon St. Marten 

Life-crafting

As we adults know all too well, when we aren’t intentional about the choices we make, we put ourselves in very difficult situations. This happens in all areas of life. How many of us have struggled with relationships, taking care of our bodies, spent years in the wrong job, not taken enough time for the things that are most important to us. We don’t want out kids to spin their wheels, we want them to have the tools to literally craft the life they want. A life of joy, peace, abundance, great relationships, personal growth, rewarding career, health and well-being. Don’t get me wrong, even the most intentional person alive will make mistakes, but when we give kids the proper tools, they can pivot and grow from mistakes. They can recraft with intention and clarity. They can face their fears and have the confidence to know that they will figure it out! They will not settle for mediocrity, they will live with authenticity and integrity. This is what we’re aiming for when we empower intentional learning and life-crafting.
“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”  -H. Jackson Brown Jr.
“The best way to insure you achieve the greatest satisfaction out of life is to behave intentionally.” -Deborah Day

Read Pillar 3. Navigate