SINCERITY – stay true to myself and my purpose, not let others shame me into doing or being someone other than who I truly was, kindly walk away from others who were not sincere in their intentions or actions.
Origin of word SINCERITY: (Etymonline)
“Sincerity from sincere is derived from the Latin sincerus meaning clean, pure, sound (1525–35). Sincerus may have once meant “one growth” (not mixed), from sin- (one) and crescere (to grow).
An often repeated folk etymology proposes that sincere is derived from the Latin sine = without, cera = wax. According to one popular explanation, dishonest sculptors in Rome or Greece would cover flaws in their work with wax to deceive the viewer; therefore, a sculpture “without wax” would mean honesty in its perfection.
Watkins has it as originally “of one growth” (i.e. “not hybrid, unmixed”), from PIE *sm-ke-ro-, from *sem- “one” (see same) + root of crescere “to grow” (from PIE root *ker- (2) “to grow”). De Vaan finds plausible a source in a lost adjective *caerus “whole, intact,” from a PIE root meaning “whole.”
No “waxing over” things and filling in holes, cracks or gaps in children or teachers in order to create an illusion of perfection. We are all already perfect with our unique, individual cracks or flaws through which the “clean, pure sound” of our gifted song comes through. The cracks or holes are the parts of us that let the light shine through. The cracks/holes/flaws are what is authentic about each of us, and it is through these cracks and the cracks of others that compassion seeps out and creates a coating of loving kindness. Sincerity does create “one growth” because it is authentic, personalized learning, but from a common shared place of “one heart”. And of course, returning home to one’s True Self always makes us whole, and the only path there is will always be the most authentic and real with the most meaningful learning and lessons.
Essential questions for SINCERITY:
(applicable to self, students, parents, colleagues and all humans on journey of lifelong learning)
How and when am I being honest and true to myself and my intentions?
Where are my “holes”?
When do I feel most vulnerable and around whom? Why?
What are my imperfections?
What are my gifts?
What makes my heart “sing,” and why?
Do I truly love children and feel a heart-alignment with them? When, and why?
Do I truly want children to learn and feel successful? Why?
What do I really want to be remembered about me and my class? Why?
How can I be more kind, loving and compassionate?
How can I be more real, authentic and “hole”hearted?
How can I discover and embrace more about everyone’s “holes”, including my own?
What is unique and special about me, my classroom context and my teaching world that
will help bring light to what is important and meaningful?
Who are the real stakeholders, and why are they important?
What do I hold on to, and what should I let go? Why?
What am I doing when things don’t go as planned or expected with a lesson? Why?
Where do I go for help and what can I do when I am waxing over everything and coming
from a place that is not “honesty in its perfection”?
Affirmations, cheers, “Can Do” Statements
for the “Common Core” Belief of SINCERITY:
I am sincere and “without wax”.
I am loving, kind and compassionate.
I am curious to discover each child’s “cracks” as well as my own.
I accept and embrace imperfection.
I am open to the gifts of imperfection in myself and in others.
I let my light shine brightly and bask in the glowing light of others.
I “differentiate” and then, embrace the unique gifts of each individual.
I focus on heart-centered goals of “hole”ness.
I let go of what is not real, true and “honest in its perfection”.
I always check in with my heart first, and then, backward design from there.
I listen for the “clear, pure sound” in each present moment and let it guide me.
I am connected to my self, my students, my parents and colleagues through a vision of “one growth” and that we are all in this together.
If I am sincere, and true to my heart, I will find peace and serenity.