"Life is lived forward, but understood backward. It is not until we are down the road and we stand on the mountain looking back through the valley that we can appreciate the terrain God has allowed us to scale.” Jill Savage

Thursday, September 08, 2011

Framing Yourself


“And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. ”

Nelson Mandela (born 1918);
Former president of South Africa

My grandson goes to a school that has an anti-bullying policy and instead has a positive discipline policy. The first principal of the school instituted it. Each day every teacher and every student have to meet for 15 minutes a day and talk positively about what has happened and what they feel - EVEN IF IT IS NEGATIVE. Does that make sense? Even if something upsets them they HAVE to handle it in the most positive way they can.

And this extends to themselves. If they say something negative about themselves - in my GS class - the teacher has an empty frame and she has them put it to their face - and makes them re-frame the statement into something positive.

Isn't that cool and isn't that easy? Don't you think it would be good for us? Instead of saying how dumb we are when we make a mistake - we could say - hey I made a mistake - I'll do better next time or we could say ....

x_05012ff

45 comments:

Jeanie said...

Your grandson and his friends are learning lessons that we would all benefit from. One of the hardest things for me is to not beat myself up when I make a mistake.

Cheri said...

That is great that your GS's school does this...more should and even some (or most) adults could learn this lesson too.

Southhamsdarling said...

Sounds like a very good school if they can take the time to do things like this. Yes, you're quite right, we could all learn from that - turning the negative into positive. Excellent idea!

Catherine said...

I really like this idea. I think it's wonderful when teachers can take the time to reinforce positiveness in the classroom. Good stuff! xo Catherine

Wanda's Wings said...

A great idea.

Pat MacKenzie said...

I love the picture of the framed moon that heads this post. It's a nice idea to frame - mentally - the beautiful, peaceful and positive things in our life. Bad things happen but we don't need to frame them and keep looking at them. Accentuate the positive. Great school your GS is attending.

Anonymous said...

Hi Sandie...Yes, we could all do well to get some empty frames! Sounds like a good idea. Have a "positive" day. Susan from writingstrraightfromtheheart.blogspotcom

Bev said...

Cool Idea!

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I am all about the positive! Great idea reframe your view of things!

Lisa @ Two Bears Farm said...

Very interesting - does it seem to be working well?

Remington said...

That is awesome! Love the pic too!

Kim said...

Wow, your GS is lucky to have the influence of such forward thinking educators. Such a great initiative.
It is raining here today - how great for the flowers (just practicing LOL)

Whosyergurl said...

I think being positive is contagious just as being negative is contagious. We have a choice every day...how we choose to affect others...glad your g.s. is getting training early on.
xo, Cheryl

Shanda said...

What a great idea. I think I'll pass it on to some teacher friends of mine. Actually I'n tweeting it too!

Holly said...

I think I may need to walk around with a frame around my neck. Do many times I would like to "re-frame" a situation.

Lynn said...

Re-framing, I like it:@)

Kim@stuffcould.... said...

I like your grandsons school attitude. It may not be easy but will have a long term effect, I hope

TexWisGirl said...

i admire teachers and administration that can challenge minds to think about things a new way...

MadSnapper said...

great idea, i need to dig out a frame for me and hubby... it takes lots of effort to re frame our words, thoughts and deeds

Jill said...

Now that's a school that knows what they are doing! So glad your grandson has the benefit of being there.

Ginny Hartzler said...

This is very cool! I have also thought about us trying to take a moon picture like this! How would they have the time for each teacher to meet with each student, that would take so long?

Nikki (Sarah) said...

first..love that mandela quote and your post....as always...so positive. Have a great rest of the day.

KaLynn ("MiMi") said...

How positively awesome!! I really really like this! Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a great strategy at that school :)
We should say more positive things about and to ourselves.

Debbie said...

I absolutely LOVE the reframe it idea. I needed a teacher like that.

Just Stuff From a Boomer said...

That's a great idea. I think it's too easy to beat our selves up. We should be kinder to us.

Love your animated graphic.

The Boston Lady said...

What a fantastic idea for the kids - and for us! It is indeed one of my greatest weaknesses to not "frame" things in a more positive light. So, I will think of this and put it into practice. Ann

Marie said...

I'm really impressed! I've only come across one administrator in the school system who followed something similar and he was at my son's middle school. Love it!

Granny Annie said...

Love the way you keep "mooning" us:)

Did I misunderstand? How does any teacher have 15 minutes to spend with every student every day? That doesn't leave any time to teach.

Sharon said...

I think we learned some of our most important lessons in elementary school. And we would do well to remember them as we grow older.

Yes, learning how to reframe myself. I'm actually letting the Master Carpenter make the frame. I've heard that He lovingly crafts a unique frame for each one of His children. It fits them just perfect, and shows off their best qualities - which is when they reflect Him...

GOD BLESS!

Sweet Tea said...

That's a fantastic idea. Hopefully this will stay with him for his entire life. Sure wish more schools would adopt the idea.

Patti said...

I am one of those persons that constantly beats myself up. I have a hard time giving myself slack for wrong decisions and actions. I need to take that lesson to heart myself.

By the way, I wanted to tell you, I think little grandson bears a strong resemblance to big grandson. What do you think?

Have a lovely evening.

Love,
Patti

Mevely317 said...

What an awesome teacher! You're right ... we could ALL benefit from this lesson.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

I once read about someone, who fell down a flight of stairs. They got up, brushed themselves off and said, "I don't think I'll do that again."

Michaele said...

Is this a public school? I love the idea.

Tanna said...

I'd say that's a great school that your GS is attending! That is the kind of lesson that can change your life. And, unlike some classes that you may never use again, every hour of every day that can be put to good use!! Kudos to GS's teacher and school!! blessings ~ tanna

Nancy's Notes said...

What a wonderful idea, what a perfect way to derive some good thoughts about oneself! Thanks for sharing-

Nancy

Angela said...

I don't think they do anything like that at my kids schools. That is different that's for sure.

I try to teach my kids that they aren't dumb when they mess up. I always tell them to just do their best and that's all I ask of them.

Hugs,
Angela

BECKY said...

Sounds great, Sandie. I know a lot of schools have anti-bullying policies and "talks" with students. It's such a great ieda. Love the frame idea, too.

Pondside said...

What a good idea that teacher has, with the frame. It sounds like your GS is going to an exceptional school.

Mimi said...

HI!!
I LOVE THAT PIC, I have been wanting to do that for ages, I need to get an empty frame and a full moon!!!The Harvest MOON is coming soon so maybe then.....
I HATE BULLIES, all ages, and Parents who allow their kids to be bullies are bullies themselves.
NO EXCUSE
hugs,
jamie

deb said...

Finally, a new way of thinking!!! Amen!
*hugs*deb

Linda O'Connell said...

why can't all school's/peopel embrace this philosophy? The world would be so much better.

betty said...

I like what that first principal did to institute such a great policy! I think that will help all the kids as they go through the rest of their schooling and in all aspects of their life because it does help change their focus from negativity to being positive and hopefully in time it will become a natural response for them to think positive rather than negative! I like it!

have a good weekend Sandie!

betty

Ann said...

I like that. The principal that came up with that had a brilliant idea. Love the idea with the frame too.