Twelve Things I've Learned

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We are working together to save and rebuild Adult Education and to keep Adult Schools strong.

This is something new for me.  I did not study this in school.

Maybe this is something new for you, too.

How about that?  Is it new for you?  Old for you?  Easy for you?  Hard?

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Sometimes this work is hard for me. 

Sometimes I feel tired.  Discouraged. Angry, frustrated or impatient. 

Other times I feel happy, excited, inspired, and grateful to be part of something good that is getting bigger and better.

Recently I made a list of things I have learned from this work.

I want to do a good job.  And I want to feel good.

Thinking about things and learning from my experience helps me do that.

Making lists helps me think and learn.

I am sharing my list because maybe something on the list might help you.

You might already know these things.  I did not.

Here is my list:

Twelve Things I've Learned From This Work



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1.  To make something good for all the people, you need all the people.  And you need to love the people.  You need to see the people as they are:  full of many things, many styles, many problems, many strengths, many weaknesses, many ways, many beauties.  And accept them.  To help the people, you need to see the people, love the people, accept the people. 


2.  When you make a plan, remember the truth about the people.  Remember their strengths.  Remember their weaknesses.  Make a plan to help them be good and stay out of bad.  Do not expect them to always be good.  Do not expect them to always be bad.  Expect them to be people just like you:  full of good and bad. 

3.  All the people have different styles.  This is good.  Because every style has a gift. We need every gift.  Also this is hard.  Because sometimes different styles make conflict.  When there is conflict, remember the gift of each style.  Think about its value.  Then think about the goal:  Something good for all the people.  Feel this good.  Think about its value.  Then think about a way to use the different styles to bring good for all the people.  Remember every style is important.  Every style is a gift.   Give and receive them.

4.  When there is an obstacle in your path...  when someone is creating an obstacle with their words or actions...  think about what they want.  What is their goal?  What is your goal?  Is there a way these two goals connect?  Can you find a way to meet both goals with one path?  If you can, show them this path.  Make it beautiful.  Invite them to take the path.  And lead them down it by acting in the highest way possible.  And then yes or no, respect their choice. 

5.  Respect every person's right to make a choice.  Choice is power.  Respect the power inside every person.  See the power inside every person.  See the value of that power.  See the value of  that person.  Understand that if each person did not have value and power, it wouldn't matter what they thought and chose.  But it does.  Positive change begins with understanding everyone has value, power, and the right to make a choice. 

6.  When you need something from someone, show them respect.  Ask them with humility.  If they say yes, show them gratitude.  If they say no, show them respect.  Yes or no, show them respect.

7.  Sometimes you try to reach a goal and you do not reach it.  Accept this.  Take some time to learn from the experience.  If the goal is important, keep trying.  Try another way. And another way.  And another way. 

8.  Do not be angry about the problems.  Anger slows you down.  Try to keep peace in your heart.  Anger is like drinking five cups of coffee and eating a lot of candy.  You have sudden energy.  But it is not good.  You move and think fast and make mistakes.  Then get sick and crash.  Go slow.  Keep peace in your heart.  Keep respect in your mind.  Remember if you feel anger with
the people, you cannot help the people. 

9. If you try to do good for the people and you do not need credit or prestige, you can do many things.  If you need credit or prestige, you will not be able to accomplish as much good.

10.  Do not work alone.  Everyone has good and bad inside.  Everyone has strength and weakness.  Everyone has vision and blindness.  We need other people.  To help the people we need people.  Ask for help.  Show gratitude for the help you receive. Take care of each other.  Enjoy each other.  One day you will look back and remember this special time.  And you will miss it.  You will miss the people you work with.  Maybe you will even miss the people you struggle with.  You will see things
in a different way.



11.  You will make mistakes.  Everyone will make mistakes.  Do not try to do anything without mistakes.  Include your mistakes in your plans.  They are like your partner in rock climbing.  The one who holds the rope while you climb.   Your mistakes are always with you.  Your most loyal friend.   Make a plan for them because they are always with you.  If you ask them for help, they can be your teacher.  They can help you.  Or they can drag you down.  You decide.  And remember, everyone else brings their mistakes, too.  Everyone has this faithful friend.  Don't cut the rope.

12.  This is hard work.  Doing good things for the people is hard work.  Doing new things is hard work.  Taking risks is hard work.  Even making mistakes is hard work because after you make a mistake, there are consequences and the consequences can you give you a headache, heartache, or stomachache!  Take breaks.  Relax.  Have fun.  Remember you are doing something to help the people.  Why?  Because people are good.  People are fun.  People are beautiful.   Life is good.  Life is fun.  Life is beautiful.  If you work too hard and you are tired or angry or frustrated, stop.  Take a break.  Relax.  Think about things that bring you joy:  your friends and family, a cup of tea, a kitten, the sun rising, a beautiful tree, riding on a bicycle, ocean waves.  Feel these things in your heart.  Then let the work you do be like that sun rising, that tree growing, those ocean waves rolling in...     feel yourself that sun rising, that tree growing, that ocean rolling rolling rolling in, to, and around you...  feel yourself part of something bigger... something filling you, feeding you, taking care of you.  Feel all the work you have done coming back to you...  feel the energy of all the people supporting you.  Feel in this moment that you are receiving help from something very big and very good.  Accept the help.  Say yes to feeling this good.

Those are my twelve things.

I could add many more. 

How about you?

What have you learned from this work to save and rebuild Adult Education and keep Adult Schools strong?

Let us know!  Leave a comment here or share your information on Facebook or in conversations.

Together, we are smarter, stronger and happier.