SPIRIT Journey: PURPOSE
The use of the word “purpose” has come to be used and explored in bigger philosophical terms such as “What is my purpose in life? Who am I?, and why am I here?” These are big life questions.
We tend to think of purpose in terms of an “end” goal or the reason why we do something. Reflecting on purpose can give us direction and meaning in our lives to attain those goals.
According to the dictionary, the definition of purpose is “the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists”.
The origin of the word purpose is “intention, aim, goal,” from Anglo-French purpos, from porposer “to put forth,” from por– “forth” (from Latin) + Old French poser “to put, place”. (etymonline.com)
Research has shown that, when asked “what is your goal in life?”, most people answer “to be happy”. When asked, “what does that look like?”, they might give a list of material things acquired, accomplishments, titles, superlatives, accolades, etc. to be checked off.
Too often we get lost in a checklist of things to do and get caught up in a whirlwind of striving for one goal after another. We focus more on purpose as defined by goals. We begin to believe that our purpose in life is equivalent to our accomplishments, things we accumulate, titles we acquire, status that we achieve or bucket list experiences that we check off. This path will surely lead to happiness, right?
The educational system helps to propagate this illusion that if we just achieve a certain score, get a certain grade, receive a certain accolade or award, go to a certain university, pursue a certain career or status, we will be successful and, therefore, happy.
Our purpose, our goals, our reasons for doing anything
have become formulaic and prescriptive.
So, if there is a formula that we can follow, and a prescription we can take, why do so many people feel lost, unhappy and not clearly see their purpose on Earth?
Why are so many teachers and students disillusioned and not fulfilled with school and learning and the checklists that are being placed before them?
In every person, there is a story. And in every story, there is a lesson and a gift to be shared that becomes our guiding light and our purpose. Purpose is something that lives in each of us. It is that which is unique about us. It is our personal story and pathway. It is our own special love song to the world. It is what gives our life meaning and direction. Our story answers the questions “who am I? and why am I here?”
It is what is reMARKable about us and how we will live and leave our mark on the world.
It is a gift…what we have to give that will make the world a better place for everyone.
It is the light that burns brightly inside us and shines out onto the world for all to see.
It is personal and meaningful to us and creates our path to the end goal of life. It gives us a place in the world to be and do exactly what we are meant for. And when we are clear on our purpose and intentions and who we are and why we are here, happiness is a natural by-product.
BUT, most importantly, our purpose is not just for us.
It is the part of us that we must share with the world
in order for all of us to learn and grow together
and make the world a better place for everyone!
Children learn about themselves and their place in the world through their interactions with other children, but mainly from interactions with adults. First, their parents, and then, their teachers.
Teachers feel a calling to teach children and to pass on knowledge and love for the material they teach. Teachers want to make a difference in the lives of children and the world in which they live.
So, what can teachers do to help children discover their gifts, to learn their story, to find their place and to walk their path of purpose?
- Guide children to find their place in the world through personalized learning, choice and voice. Let them be curious, discover and uncover what lights up their world.
- Try to get away from prescriptive lessons, standards, checklists, textbooks, one-size-fits-all approaches. Create an open path to learning and explore with each child. Be open to all possibilities and not just a fixed and limited set of planned and scripted answers or pathways.
- Allow children to make mistakes and learn from them…no shame! Use the power of “not yet”. Encourage exploration, curiosity, play and a growth mindset. Put forth the idea of being a lifelong learner and lover of learning. Look for what light shines brightly in each child? What song will s/he sing in this world? What gifts will be shared, and how will the world be a better place because of these gifts?
- Promote collaboration, connection and community. Posit (or put in place) acceptance, inclusion, loving kindness, grace, empathy, compassion, being human and the bigger picture of life. Allow for differentiation, diversity, different perspectives to be shared and respected through reflection.
Teachers leave their marks on children and children will leave their marks on the world. Those are the only real “marks” that matter in education and will determine if someone is reMARKable or not.
Toni Morrison, author of Beloved and The Bluest Eye once said, “when a child walks in a room, your child or anybody else’s child, do your eyes light up? That is what they are looking for.”
If we stay focused on our true purpose as a teacher and don’t get caught up with test scores, data, checklists, standards, grades, etc…. if we stay focused on what is at the true heart of teaching and see that each and every child has something to give the world that is special and unique, everyone’s eyes light up because we are sharing our light and receiving their light in true connection.
We all need to be mindful of what we are putting forth in this world, in words and in deeds, and the mark it will make. We always have a choice. And our choice should first and foremost come from the heart and from that special gift that will light up the world.
Only then do we find true happiness in ourselves and in others and in the world.
What can teachers do to stay on purpose and shine their light?
- Sign up for the weekly Sunday Spirit Spark Newsletter on this website.
- Subscribe, share and listen to the Teacher Tales podcast on this website or through your favorite podcast app.
- Use the SPIRIT lessons and resources on this website as the yellow arrow guides on your teaching “Camino” every day.
Finally, follow the spirit of teaching and incorporate PURPOSE into your lesson plans each day. By doing this, you will be setting your intentions from the heart.
This is what it might look like in your plan book:
Essential Question for the day: PURPOSE
What do I want to put forth into the world today?
Can Do Statements
I choose to be reMARKable in a healthy and positive way.
I choose to share my gifts and also to receive the gifts from others.
I allow others to share and collaborate in order to build a stronger community of learning together.
Best Practices for Today
No matter what, I will make sure my eyes light up for each child and that I receive their light.
I will check into my heart often and feel what is needed for each child.
I will allow students the grace to make mistakes with the intention of growth in learning and being.
Inspirational song:
We All Have Gifts to Share by Susan Kay Wyatts
Don’t Hide Your Light by Jimmy Scott
Cover photo:
“Gift” by asenat29 is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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