STOP HERE

STOP HERE

Which is to say, Start Here. Day one.

Stop. Pause. Keep pausing. Then after a good long while, ask- “What do you (I) want?” 

I’ll get ya started. What do you want by May 24th? The last day of school. 2024 ___

More narrowly, how do you want to feel by the end of this school year?

How do you want to wake up in May?  

Rested? Regretful? Removed? Numb? Valued? Gracious? 

See what I mean here? 

School life will keep you focused on rigorous grades and an eventual graduation. College/Job. Future orientated stuff. I’m asking about the now. The daily. 

Start of the school year is often optimistic. Filled with hopeful, inner dialogue like, “This year will be better. I’ll be better.” Then by mid to late October, public school hallways look more, oh how to describe? Um,  Apocalyptic? Zombie- zoned?  

It’s hot in August. You might get sick by September; Then it’s more Make-up work, homework, tests, assignments pile up. You get overstretched, over-stressed. No breaks. Relationships get tested. You get the idea.

We see it year after year. I saw it year after year.  

If you can relate, we are related. Publicly schooled, ‘family’. Now, I cannot sit here and offer much, apart from hypocrisy. No matter how many times I said, “This year I’ll be better at pacing myself.” By May- I was zombie zoned. A month or two of recovery. Resist and repeat. 

I can offer this, however. DO LESS.  Less of anything and everything you possibly can. Ideally the stuff you sort of know, deep down is not helping you. Or worse, wasting your time. Both in and out of school. 

That’s it. Simple. Yes, and..

For those I.Students daring enough to try this. To ‘do’ less… Go ahead. I dare you. If you want to be part of a whacky experiment. Try it. Let me know how it works for ya. I’m not trying to taunt, it’s just that school has a sneaky way of occupying a lot of your time and mind. And there is constant pressure to Do. Something. All the time. 

If you can get used to unoccupied time. Daily. It may help balance life a bit better. For the long gig. It will give you more freedom, because you won’t have to constantly “need” and depend on outside stimuli. You are good with or without. Yes, yes? 

Then when you get good and bored, you can begin to self-discover. And the more you know______.

Okay, enough of that, for now-  

NOW- START HERE

What you may want: 

  1. A Notebook.  

  2. A pen or pencil. 

  3. An idea of an AM and PM routine. 

  4. An empty jar, scrap paper.

Here is what you may want to do:

  1. In your I-notebook, Write today’s date.

  2. Write what your first few days were like this school year; and write what your morning and evening routine is now. 

  3. On the last page, write about May 24th. About what will you want the end of this year to be like for you. How do you want to feel?

  4. On scrap paper, write three things you want to nurture- stuff you like; and three things you want to banish- get rid of.  Now, through May. Add to jar.

Notes: 

It is important to hand write, in a notebook, not a phone. It has to do with the brain-wiring stuff. 

Routines are some of the smallest and easiest things to do for yourself- for your brain to feel like it has more control. Your future self approves. 

That’s it.

Why? 

YOU ARE living history. Record it. You may want to use it. Or even re-write it. 

I.Suggestions: 

Mornings: 

  1. When you wake up, before you open your eyeballs, just lay still but stay awake. Pause for a few moments and see if you remember a dream. If so, great, write it down. Any part of it- just a few words or doodle pictures will do. Or write an emotion you woke to, before your brain fills with other stuff. ;) 

Rationale-

If you do not recall a dream, that’s okay, now focus on how you feel- emotionally. Why?

If you are more aware of your moods, more power to ya.  Because dreams effect moods, whether you remember them or not. And your moods effect people, which potentially effects relationships. Which assumably effect you. Yes?

2. Make your bed. Every Morning. 

Bed, brain, subconscious. It’s easy, and more empowering than you might imagine. 

Evenings:

  1. Write down one thing you learned about yourself today. 

  2. Brush your teeth. Wash your feet.  Now I’m making up stuff here; and yes, you are “doing’ something, but it is doing something YOU initiate, not school. Make up a relaxing, simple activity to do each night. 

  3. Imagine a lasting routine- conditioning you more to your own needs. 

What do you want?

Zero-Some Game

Zero-Some Game

I made up my own existentialism joke:

“Help, the system is failing, this is an existential crisis!

Tell me what to do next…” 

The problem with criticizing a system that is so ingrained, is that we can’t even imagine otherwise. “Well what are you going to replace it with‽” Is almost Always the direct response I get to my educational inquiry. Usually coupled with aggression and frustration.

This is problematic. Replacing one system with another isn’t gong to fix anything. And it is not existential. The “Ick” IS the existential emotion. It’s a feeling to be felt. It’s a start. Then and only then can we begin the process of creating. The anger and frustration is real. Now what?

First: pause, reflect, observe. Feel. Get Bored.

Second, decide what and how. What do You want? How do you know you want it? What are you going to do, and not do, in order to get it?

Third, Do that. Enough with the worrying, the talking/ complaining, the feeling of weakness that comes with coercion (Learned Helplessness). How will you build up strength and momentum to live authentically? Where will this courage come from?

Easier said than done. I get that.

About me. 

I got tired. Tired of listening to adults. They talk over you, around you, above you. And they are not listening to you! 

Mostly, I am tired of hearing policy makers and their blow-horns telling me what kids are like, what school is like and what kids need. 

Wanna know? ASK THEM!!!!! 

So, aside from my randomly planned curriculum the past few years, I have been taking classes and traveling with my ideas. I happen to run into students wherever I go. Not any former students yet, just potential students who get really excited when an adult asks them about school and what they want. 

I’ve been talking to, no better yet, I’ve been listening to “kids” all the way from South Texas to Canada. (2021-2022 I.School field trip). 

More committed than ever, I am. Actually, this has turned into a lifetime obsession. Blessedly so. 

Now what?

Where to start.  Zero sum game. A beginning. 

We have a foundation. Get grounded in something solid.  Then get ready for the bad news. A hypotheses you either believe or not. Mostly… If, and when you do, get ready for unexpected greatness. Or not. Either way-

Let I school be a platform for student rights. You have the right to an objective, free education. If not, what are we doing? 

Motto: Give me a chance and I’ll give you a voice. 

E-mail me with requests. What do you want? What do you want people to know?

How can I help you, students? Today. Now‽

inewson@me.com

ISchool V

Four square initials explained: HI (historical interpretations) BM (business management systems) IP (Intellectual property) AI (always interrupting).

Let me explain. I.Quadratic hypotheses.

Quadrant I. BM’s Big business benefiting from- III. IP, Intellectual Property. Who “owns” your ideas in school? II. HI- Interesting Historical Interpretations school boards represent. (more info comming). IV. AI, for me, stands for Always Interrupting. Policy makers, hierarchies. and pretty much anyone who keeps talking about what kids need, but wont shut up long enough to actually listen to students. I.square. so there.

Spring 2023 recap note

Dear Students,

This concludes I.School spring 2023. The focus apparently became the National Association of Educational Progress, in charge of testing, and thus directing curriculum for public education. Truth be told, I went down a bigger rabbit hole than expected with the NAEP. Oh, it is my thing. It is what I like to do, don’t get me wrong. Totally my educational playground. Research and what not. But it is not good news and not easy to convey. I’m working on this, truth to be told.

Here is what we have so far:

  1. Question. What is the purpose of education?

  2. “Either/Or” Paradox and contradictions.

  3. “More or Less ”Hierarchy of needs”

*Yea, taking a break. I.School Field Trip! Next!

4. Four-Square Game

5. Full circle. Cognitive Dissonance; Justified True Belief; and Vectors.

Ciao for now.

‘teacher’ In-Service,  I

0 All or Nothing

“Escape from nothingness is a denial of freedom and reality. There is no-thing. Only the process is real;” 

“Freedom is what we do with what has been done to us.”

~Sartre

Objective: Recall (rec-all) Lessons 1 (A-F) through 10.  I.School Fall 2022. 

*Think of a glass jar (or get one for this project). Ask: Is it empty of full? All or nothing?

Order: 

  1. You are #1. Recall A-F. 

    1. Awe. Breathe, bee conscious. Deliciously delight in Enjoying and Feeling (5 senses). 

  2. This semester we will focus on Business Management Systems and their impact on education.  Choose a Virtuous path. 

  3. Chose from one of mine- See 4-10 (eastern, western philosophy), Or chose one of your own. But chose a path of morality. Or not. It’s up to you.

  4. Ask yourself- “how much do you know about how and why you are in school?” All? Nothing? 

  5. What I will provide for you is Nothing. Nothing but the Truth. More or less.

* Fill your jar with one thing you want or need. I recommend it be- free, sustainable, intrinsic. Oh, and have some fun while you are at it!

Nothing

Lesson Plan: 0

In this lesson we will: Learn nothing, and how learning nothing can be something. Just thoughts to ponder.

Lesson Overview:

How are you? What do you do? What are you doing? How are you doing? Questions we ask, and are asked on a daily scale. Answers vary, but not by much. Answers include- “fine; I am a __so in so__, and do__such and such__; I am doing, ok.” 

How much information is obtained by asking these questions? What do we expect to get? All information about a person? Nothing? Or something in-between? 

The purpose of this lesson is to simply pause, and question. In essence, “do” nothing. 

Warm-Up:

  1. Take a breath. If someone were to ask you, “what are you doing?” You may be inclined to say, “nothing”.  Yet, clearly you are doing something. Breathing. 

  2. When you sleep, eat, and (if you) play, might you say the same? While sleeping, eating and playing, you are indeed engaging in something; however, do you feel like you are “doing” something?

  3. Picture an empty jar. What is inside? 

Discussion Questions:

  • Do you feel like you always have to be doing something? 

  • Where does that notion come from?

  • Do the very questions we ask, like “how are you,” help or hinder daily interactions?

Now what?

If you come into I.School thinking or believing you know it “all”. Then you will probably get noting much. Nothing worthy of your time.

If you come into I.School thinking or believing you know nothing about education, you might get all uncomfortable for a bit, then something.

What I want from you is nothing. You just keep being you. What I will provide is information. All with my best intentions. 

Nothing but the truth. 

Resources:

https://www.theschooloflife.com/article/wu-wei-doing-nothing/

Welcome 2023

Dear students,

Welcome back to a new I.school year! 2023. 

In first semester I.School we laid out a foundation. 1-12. #1. You are the priority (you are always #1 to I). 2. Schools are run by archaic business management systems profiting from, well,… you.  3. Initiate self-care. 4-10, is intended to provide samples of virtuous paths for your guidance (if you do not already have a foundation to draw from.) 11 and 12 wrapped up first semester learning with a new start. A final. Another beginning. 

This semester’s lessons will focus on Application. #0-5.

Whereas last semesters intent is grounding (to be continued and revisited later), this semesters experiment is questioning the application of lessons starting from 0. Zero.

Zero-

  • The number of times “because I said so” will be accepted as an answer to the question, “why do we have to learn this?” You deserve a rational reasonable answer as to why you are required to take X classes.

  • Time wasted on business management style meetings. All the meetings. 

  • Effort on activities that do not have a positive impact on student well being. 

  • Social, political, economic or scientific agenda from me. (Of course I have biases because, well, I am human. My only concern is you, the student. I am willing to bend into truth when in error.)

  • Money. Genuine learning does not have “service fees”. 

  • Regard for ‘likes’, dislikes, opinions. I don’t care what you think of me or I.School. 

  • Time arguing with others about education. (**this may be in error).

  • Zero- “Work”- home-work, busy-work, or any other weapons of mass distraction keeping you from you. 

  • Regrets I have for spending time with students. Not one. Not ever. (I miss you all!) 

  • Talking about I.School. Not yet. Not until it makes sense. (If someone says “because I said so”, I do not recommend you reply with I.School remarks until 2025).

PS, None of this will make sense until it makes sense. And when it does. IF it does. Please refer back to fall 2022 Lessons 1-10. You are going to need it. 

Sincerely, 

I, Your ‘teacher’ In-Service

Semester 0 Outline

0. Number sense. “All or None.”

  1. Priority perspective. Lessons from the past.

  2. Paradox and contradictions. “Either/Or”

  3. Hierarchy of needs. “More or Less”

  4. More truths.

  5. Full circle. (I.School goes to college) May 2023.

Zero

-0 New Year’s Resolution

Lesson 0/5 Spring 2023

Prerequisite: I.School Lessons 1-10. 2022

0 Zero: 

The Number of New Years Resolutions I am making this year.  

Question: Why?

First, if we define Resolution as: the act of analyzing a complex notion into simpler ones. (MW) we can answer the why-

  1. Because (New Years) resolutions (as prescribed by BM’s, #2 in terms of diets, gym memberships etc.in response to holiday spurring, for example)  have not worked in the past. Simple.

  2. Because of the “work” we did last semester, the act of creating a foundation (notions thereof), is already complete.  Now we simply follow it. 1-10

  3. Because step #4 I.School, level One states: Suffering is caused by expectations based on false truths. 

  4. Therefore, expect Less. Suffer less.

Our final last semester IS the solution to this semester. Now we can start at Zero and work our way up.

Zero. Nothing. Less than nothing, which is something.

Notes on Zero:

Synonyms include- decision, judgement, determination. Word. 

All right then. We (I) made a decision to change. Now that the resolution is complete, we can test it. Again and again. Keep what works. Change as necessary. Repeat. 

Zero- Policy 

  • Social, idol gossip. 

  • Political affiliation. I have none, so I will explore them all.

  • Religion. I love to learn them all, therefore I practice none officially.

  • Money. Education needs to be free. I want nothing from you. 

  • Tolerance of any lesson that does not explain what and why. 

Hi 12!

I.School

            1.2.

Objective:

What do you want?

Procedure:

Scientific Experiment 1.2. 

Notes:

The purpose of semester one I.School is to set up solid personal foundations of self-care.  Establishing the “I,”physically, emotionally, intellectually, and through values and behaviors you decide upon. 

And before the I, what is the Why? I mean why put any effort into self care? Why is it? Why is it that you want to do?

My Why is the I. My why is U. Students with a capital U. Why? because U asked me to.

Which brings me to my I.School final project. In other words, what have I done for my own revolution?

    1. I care, but grammar and punctuation is not going to be a top priority in I.School. On purpose. Mostly. Have you ever written an essay for school with any sort of authenticity or heart only to have it returned with red “frags,” misspellings, grammar and punctuation corrections? My thought is, that what you have to say is more important than fragmented sentences and pronoun protrusions alliterated. Who you are is more important! The fixings can come later. So, yea, I do imagine grammar elitists and quasi perfectionist squirming at mah gaffs and mixed up sentence structure and downright made up words. Your welcome. Childish rebellion snugging out. This is not a grade! You do not get to grade my revolution. So there! And also, I do think clarification is important and I am open for helpful editing by trusted students, but the message comes first! Darn

    2. I quit! Before I retired, I took a permanent sabbatical. This is important because I chose not to participate in a system that I think is cruel and unusual to kids. Quitting is not a favorite party conversation, so it usually gets changed to peoples dreamy eyed questions of retirement. “What’s it like?” Followed by, what they think it will be like for them. “… I bet sleeping in is the best.” Seniors in high school understand that conversation. For example, when asked, what do you want to do after graduation? If you say go to college, “take a year off to…” do anything. Many conversations get harangued, manipulated into what the other wants to hear. Make sense? My point is, I had to make some hard decisions. People want to think ‘revolution’ is out there somewhere, or someone else has to do it. I am telling you it was not easy and I have hurt people in the process. It is important to clarify that although I am more-truly enjoying this life now, it has not been without struggle. 

    3. I retired. Early. I loved teaching and I saw myself substituting or teaching on and off for the rest of my life. It’s not uncommon for retired teachers/ people in education to return. I chose not to. I am “lucky” to have the option. This is a warning for future employees. Having the option to retire at any age is dwindling. #2 business management systems prefer forced labor. Less income, more labor. Conversations in the meantime will lead you to believe success/ paradise/ retirement is right around the corner. Just obey. 

    4. I lost 40 pounds. And kept it off for two years. Two light years. 

    5. I cut my hair. Long story. Short.

    6. I got fired from a food service job after three days. Short story. Longer than I wanted. 

    7. I/we bought a van that I like to call a little I.school bus. Well, it has so many names. Goldie Vawn, Apa, the mystery machine, TBD.

    8. I started a pretend school. I.School became my playground. What started off as a joke in class has become my life. 

    9. I.School plus one van = Travel ‘Learning on a bus’. 

    10. I have taken classes, read books, practiced skills, learned to cook. 

    11. I have created personal structure within flexibility, which is my motto. The freedom to do what I want needs structure. However, it is my structured order. It is not the order of #2’s agenda. M-F Saturday and Sunday. 

    12. I have started traveling around, in my van-bus. Listening and learning. Recording. 

12 O’ Clock.Tick tock. “High Noon” sounds too ominous. But “Hi 12” is a more cheerful, still poignant point, I’d like to make. What do you want? What are you waiting for? 1.2.

End of semester Report:

I have not woken up to an alarm in two years. I sleep more better.  Eating dis-order became more ordered. I have more fun, more meaningful daily high-lights. I am doing what I love so much- learning. Too bad I couldn’t do it in school. So, I’m creating my own.

Below are 4 ID photos depicting my last decade teaching.

Below that is my semester 2022 Fall Final.  A learning experiment.

**

2008-09

After 10 years of being part time. Hair straight. Refreshed.

2014-15

Uh oh. Full-time four years later.

2018-19

Somehow the “school-spirited” festive hat does not adequately hide my clenched teeth and obvious physical changes.

2019-20

Oh yea, she’s gone.

What could possibly happen this school year?

I.School 2021-2022

Coast to Coast.

So Far….. So Good!!

12 Tide Lessons

For the first quarter learning- I.School taught to me: 

The Freedom and liberty to breathe

Two, Too, little love

Three fresh lense(s) 

Four Noble Truths

5- Golden Rules!

Six Ways of Tao

Seven- sinners sinning

Eight students sitting

Nine- Mine is dancing

10- Considerations 

11- Time is ticking…

12-Tides a turning.

“There is a point. . . when you have to chose whether to be like everybody else the rest of your life, or make a virtue of your peculiarities”
— Ursula K. Le Guin

This one goes to 11

I.School I.

Step 11

Objective:  11  Revolution

“This one goes to 11” A Preamble.

      • Define Revolution

      • Evaluate motivations for revolution 

      • Re-evaluate revolution 

Procedure

Define Revolution as:

1- :The actions of an orbiting body

     :Time taken for rotation of a body on its axis 

2- :An overthrow or renunciation of a situation 

     :A fundamental change in organization; or thinking about something  

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/revolution

Evaluate motivations for revolution as: 

First, let’s talk about he changing of a word. “Revolution.” 

1- Cyclical recurrences like “the revolving of a wheel” or celestial bodies moving in circular course was the origin of revolution. Synonyms include: turn, whirl, twirl, spin, lap, roll. Those ideas metamorphosed into socio-political spheres with violent changes in 17th century Europe.  Synonyms of revolution also changed to words such as: riot, rioting, sedition, coup d’atet, and more “violent” uprisings and overthrows. 

16th century scientists were indeed subject to violence for pointing out truths about the universe. The Glorious Revolution, the French Revolution continued a pattern of violence in both actions and vocabulary. https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=revolution

2- Which leads a critical mind to thinking and asking, “what is revolution”… to you? I cannot speak on behalf of planets or celestial bodies, as to their individual motivations of revolution. That would be silly. Plus, science explains that rather nicely, even if I cannot understand it more fully myself. My question is more personal. What, or better yet why would you want to change? I mean we change every day, but mostly unintentionally. What change would you want to see? Intentionally.

Re-define revolution for evaluation as: preambulary. Preambulary- stating intent. Literally meaning pre-before; and amble- walk. Think about what you want before you walk that path.

1- Personally define Revolution: (What do you want?)

1- Live that. (How will you do that?)

Suggested Readings

Define Revolution: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revolution

Observations:

One. One. *11 is a numerical palindrome. Isn’t that fun‽.

One is- it is time to change public education. 

the other One is- public education isn’t going to change any time.

Therefore- I will take my time to change (my) education for one public, “the I.” 12/12/2022 is my pre-ambulary re-public. That cracks me up. But difficult to know if what I am saying makes sense to any one but me. 

Like so many other misunderstandings within communication, the assumption we think we know what “the other” is saying is absurd. Case in point- 

The other: “Ingrid, what are you going to do after you retire?” 

I: Im going to start a revolution.

The others: Get in line; You and what army!?; (simply laughter); and “oh, I can’t wait to see that!”

I’m thinking- what are people imagining? Pitchforks and muskets? (Why is it always pitchforks and muskets?). Do we assume the word revolution turns into self-imagery of Les Miserables? (Or is it La Cage aux Folles?)  Either way, my definition of revolution needs clarification. 

I Logic: What are people fighting a revolution for? In other words, I want to skip that middle part of the fighting and get to the why and the what. I’m not that clever, so I’ll use someone else’s work to mimic behavior. 

Preamble test. I the people, (currently living in the United States), in order to form a, not perfect, but a more- perfect union. Establish justice (fairness), insure domestic tranquility (start at being more better at home with myself and family), defend a common cause (students!), promote just being generally a better person to myself and others. Secure blessings of Liberty- I don’t think I have the authority to ‘bless’ anything, but Freedom is a gift to be sure. Difficult to obtain, but worth the struggle to myself and “our posterity”. That is where you come in. You, the future. Kids. My students. My teachers. My why. I do ordain (again, not sure I have the authorization to ordain), or officially decree. Decree? Do I say.. what then? I do declare!!!? No that does quite fit. Um, I just want to say that there is someone out here fighting for you. As insignificant as it is, as I am, it’s something, if not ‘just’a pre-amble. 

Just for fun:  This is Spinal Tap: “This one goes to 11”

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwjD-P72lbD7AhXtHzQIHbklB5IQwqsBegQICBAB&url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOO5S4vxi0o&usg=AOvVaw2fUqdTMCdYU6-aaYKLHjWo

10 Considerations

I.School I.

Step 10

Objective:  10 Considerations

  • Evaluate: suggestions as to what it might take to live an illusive “authentic” life.

Notes- Consider the following:

  1. One Truth, or at least consider a humble pursuit of truth.

  2. Be weary of False profits; ads for profit.

  3. Be true to words.

  4. Take your time, back.

  5. Cultivate reverence for the wise.

  6. Live conscientiously (Keep spirt A-live).

  7. Enact physical boundaries.

  8. Steal creative ways to be content.

  9. Lie, in truth.

  10. Be careful what you wish for. Consider it. Really, ruminate on it.

Suggested Readings

https://fs.blog/bertrand-russell-ten-commandments/

https://www.webpages.uidaho.edu/ngier/confgandhi.htm

9 is Mine.

I.School I.

Step 9

Objective/ Subjective:  “9 is Mine”

  • Recall the 9th Amendment to the Constitution

  • To Identify personal values and behaviors

Notes

1. 9th Amendment to the Constitution states:

“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage

others retained by the people.”

Let’s explore- break it down.

enumerated: Rights numbered or listed in Article 1 Section 8 of the US Constitution.Not a biggie, just translating. 

Rights- being in accordance with what is just, good, or proper as in “right conduct”

Construed- interpreted “understood”

Disparage- regard or represent as being of little worth

Retained- owned or cherished, protected (sacred) 

In other words, it’s an Amendment just for you! An I- mendment! 

Congress shall have the powers listed in Article 8, but the 9th Amendment in the Bill of Rights, (not the Bill of Powers;) addresses the “great residuum of rights that have not been thrown into the hands of the government,” James Madison. Yep, Madison warned not adding a Bill of Rights would give “enlarged powers” to officials. Isn’t that exciting?! Not even congress can deny…. 

Ok, I digress and get way into history. Anyhoo-

Now what? Lots of room for interpretation.

Procedure

  • Identify your own values. Rights.

  • I.School lessons 0-8 were used as my guide- after much research, pondering and fierce experimentation.

  • Consider the following criteria:

Time. Truth. Trust

Balance. Flexibility. Strength

Dance. Draw. Dream

  • Time is an upmost priority! A Right, Valued treasure.

  • Truth may not be possible but I can get close. Closer er to some truths anyway.

  • Trust myself first. This is tricker than it sounds.

  • Balance and moderation. Good to know. Harder to do.

  • Flexibility within structure. Lots of structure.

  • Strength of character. I.School foundation. Just starting.

  • Dance. Sacred dance. Move.

  • Draw to create. Creativity is the real Virtue here but I like D’s.

  • Dream to inspire. (I mean literal dreams, not hyperbole, like “living the dream”)

*** The beauty, as I see it, is the interactive relationships with my 9 chosen values. Inter-change-able, and de-pendant as well as interdependent on the other values.

Now that I formulated 9 values, now what? Is it All or None? Either/ Or? More or less?

Now, what about you? 

It is my experience that what we tend to say what our values are, are usually not what we actually do, do.

Bumper sticker philosophies. Example: Getting cut off, flipped off, or otherwise vehicularly offended is often accompanied with a bumper sticker that says something like- “Bee Kind” or “Respect Life.” Which is it? 

Suggested Readings

Your own words. 

Read your last few texts. The ones that you wrote. Do they support your values?

What was the last memorable thing you said to someone? 

What are the last three songs you listened to? Who do you invite into your head?

How do you spend your time? 

Who do/ don’t you spend your time with? 

Do they share your values?

What exactly are your values? Are they ‘your’ values? Are they “working” for ya?

How do you think, by following the path you are on now- not later- will look in 5 years? 10?

Do your actions mirror your bumper stickers? 

Would you recommend your values to others? 

Are your values universal?  Does that matter?

I suggest you simply look at your surroundings. Perhaps a little more focus on the I. Or not.

Observations:

One foreseeable glitch can occur when we start to compare values. For example, I can hear,“oh, I don’t dance.” Conversation over. 

Ok, well you might like a sport or music or shadow puppets… It’s a passion, but as a Value? Well it’s dedication, diligence to a craft. Appreciation for physical ability without envy, ideally. Creativity. Wholesomeness. Diligence is the value.

The stories are peripheral, the values are at the center.  

Now that I think about it, talking about values can get competitive, combative, ironically. 

I don’t know why this happens. Quick lick conversations. 

I can also accept that it might be my lack of grace within my own communication skills. Must. Work. On that. 

Another obvious obstacle (to me) is actually defining what a particular value means. Truth, for example gets mucky because we want our wishes, our egos to be right, neglecting non-biased more painful truths. And that is what keeps us stuck. Yes? 

It is a challenge to attempt to live a more ‘virtuous’ life. 

When I “take my time,” for example, it is assumed I must be lazy, crazy or just old. Why? Because I’m not working for someone else? Like being asked to ‘administer’ tests for giant companies at the cost of kids mental health? Well call me Slothy! ~silly

Truth is very unpopular. Simple or not. As a truth-seeker, it’s annoying. I’m annoying. Trust me. 

Who can you trust? If you have any trustworthy people- that is a gift. If you do not, I understand. Either way, it is most advantageous to begin to Trust yourself. It takes time and patience. 

Oh, I hear “live a balanced, flexible” life. How? When? With who’s time? Too busy working an unbalanced rigorous life. It takes strength to “take your time”. 

Dancing and Drawing are seen as a frivolous ‘past time’. How sad. It is a healthy virtuous form of creative expression that pairs well with dreams. 

Dreams. Ah. I love those who don’t diminish their own dreams. The weird, freaky nonsensical movies in your mind may not be as nonsensical as many claim. I value the courageous dream voyeurs!

“The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people.”

I do not think it too far to interpret that cherished rights, “being in accordance with what is just and good”

You have the right to be good. The right to pursue a valued, more meaningful life.

And, this shall not be denied nor disregarded. 

PS

I wonder if the word ‘value’ needs clarification. 

Pop quiz- for I.School which of the following definitions of “value” best fits this lesson?

  1. :a monetary return or equivalent in goods, services, or money for something exchanged

  2. :a numerical quantity that is assigned or determined by calculation or measurement

  3. :the relative duration of a musical note

  4. :relative lightness or darkness of a color

  5. :something (such as a principle or quality) intrinsically desirable

        *Intrinsic:  belonging to the essential nature or constitution of a thing.

Answer: All are correct. However, E, “you have the right to your essential constitution” is the preferable answer. 

Bottom Line. You may agree with criticisms of current circumstances, now what? 

Philosophically, to get grounded is intrinsically desirable.  You can’t go wrong with a virtuous path, ‘sorry’.  

Nine is Mine, and it it Yours too.