"What's the matter with your life?
Why you gotta mess with mine? Don't keep sweatin' what I do 'Cause I'm gonna be just fine check it out" -"None of Your Business" by Salt-N-Pepa Chopping peppers, Oprah's Super Soul Conversations podcast streamed through my hearing aids, keeping me company while I prepared dinner. (Lest you think hearing aids aren't cool- c'mon people! You can steam podcasts through them! And music! And Voxer! Oh, the joys of finally addressing your hearing loss. But I digress...) This week's episode was with Byron Katie who is new to me. The show notes say she is a best-selling author, speaker and teacher. If I'm keeping it real, she lost me many times and I kind of think she lost Oprah too, because of those clarifying questions Oprah kept throwing out there. One thing she said really struck me- there are 3 kinds of business: God's business, my business and everyone else's business. My job is to worry about my business and my business only. It made me think about my decisions as a teacher. I'm most unhappy at work when I'm thinking of things I cannot control- when I'm railing against curricular calendars or state tests or the required hours teachers are in front of students vs. other countries where teachers get more time to plan, assess, etc. I'm happiest when I'm staying in my lane, so to speak, doing the actual work of teaching real children, making decisions and planning lessons that will affect my students. "What concrete steps can I take to be a more thoughtful, intentional teacher?" is the question I must ask instead of trying to solve the broken parts of the education system. What are the things I can directly control and thus improve about my teaching and the learning experience of my students? There is where I will make an impact and there is where I will find more happiness again as a teacher. What are your thoughts on Byron Katie's view of three businesses?
11 Comments
2/26/2019 04:45:04 am
It isn’t always possible to attend only to our own business, especially as a teacher. I wish it were, but our students’ business serps into our lives; our colleagues’ business often defines what we do as teachers when those colleagues are the ones representing our interests at the district level and making those curricular decisions. When I opened my email yesterday after missing Thursday and Friday, I had no fewer than twenty emails about state wrestling to comb through. In my school the business of sports controls the business of teaching.
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Kathleen
2/27/2019 04:18:13 pm
Hi Glenda!
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Terje
2/26/2019 04:50:44 am
Good question to ask: What is that I can control? As a reflective teacher, you will make the choices that are based on your beliefs and values. Wishing you strength and resilience!
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Kathleen
2/27/2019 04:19:25 pm
Hi Terje!
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2/26/2019 05:47:40 am
So much of our school life ends up not being in our control- I loved reading your reflections. Like Glenda, I am curious about your decision to switch blog platforms. Sounds like another slice topic.
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Kathleen
2/27/2019 04:20:32 pm
Hi Erika! I feel like I needed some new passion for blogging and I thought a new platform might help me! I also have lots of issues with people not being able to comment on my Blogger site. Trying something new because change is good for the soul!
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2/26/2019 08:33:31 am
I so agree with her three types of business. This is a post many of students need to hear! They have a tendency to be more your business is also my business!
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Kathleen
2/27/2019 04:28:51 pm
Hi Leigh Anne!
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2/26/2019 12:34:55 pm
I have so much work to do on this - I am TERRIBLE at boundaries. I worry about everybody's business but my own. I'm glad I read your post - good food for thought!
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Chris
2/26/2019 04:45:48 pm
Yes - this has been a big topic around my school lately. State testing starts soon, and a few intermediate teachers were pointing out that they have "more stress" than the primary teachers.
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2/26/2019 09:00:17 pm
Reminder to focus & expend energy meaningfully, wisely makes sense. I also wonder what happens when business is (increasingly) collaborative, rather than dividing between mine & everyone else's. I suspect that's when business of communication becomes crucial...
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