What If I Fail?
First Attempts in Learning
Carefully Cross-Examining Questions
I love being a teacher.
Sneaky move. I often learn more from my students than they learn from me. Thank you, tiny humans, for your unending flow of wondering waters that wash over me like a waterfall of new discovery each day!
It happened again, yesterday.
This time it was Grady, who happens to be a fifth grader. He’s an expert question formulator. 5th grade has him in a deeply pensive state. So much to imagine right now-especially as he looks ahead into one of the biggest transitions of his life. Elementary to Middle School. From this point on, the educational curves will come more quickly, and before you know it, he’ll be standing in the same spot I am looking back over a lifetime of learning.
Goosebumps.
I actually do have goosebumps just breathing those words in through my nose and out through my mouth. How could 60 years have passed leaving me touched in the most poignant way by an “almost sixth grader?” I love paying attention to the signs that the universe pitches my way. Could there be something significant in the 6?
Bunny Holes
Oh, I’m giggling right now. I see a bunny hole and the soft, super scurry of a fast feathered foot escaping into the inquiry that awaits when the stars are just right.
The number “6” stands for:
harmony
balance
responsibility
nurturing
Many number “6’s” are healers, counselors, and teachers. (Well…that’s cool. Since ya’ know, like, I’m a teacher who happens to be pretty nurturing).
You see how fun this learning leap can get? Jump in.
Wait a minute. Back to Grady for a minute, please.
Mentoring Messages
So, he shows me a quiz he passed in his language arts class, and we celebrate that he only missed one!
“Amazing!” our small group agrees.
To which I get a most unexpected response from Grady. “What if I had failed?”
Hmmmmm. Could I love this kid anymore?
I thrive on the curiosity of cats, and this question opens doors that I love to walk through.
Ones of growth mindset, resilience, stamina, and self-awareness.
Who’s the Teacher, Now?
Oh, Grady! What a beautiful and bountiful thought!
I once heard a wise man say, “Think of the letters in FAIL as:
F-First
A-Attempt
I-In
L-Learning
You see, my friend, the greatest success actually comes from allowing yourself to fall and discovering that you can get back up again (ten times stronger) every time because of the newfound knowledge that accompanies your learning journey.
We went on to research (more bunny holes) people like Thomas Edison-
Fun Fact:
Thomas Edison and his investigating buddies are said to have failed anywhere between 1,000 to ten thousand times as they sought to perfect the light bulb!
Instead of seeing himself as a failure he was noted to once say I found “10,000 ways that won’t work!”
In the end, let there be light.
I sat and just stared into the illuminated eyes of three of the coolest 11 year-old boys that you could ever meet, and I had to fight back a sweet tear. The kind that remind you that it’s all in the lens you look through.
These boys became my teacher once again. A brilliant, reflective reminder to keep looking for the lessons, Greta.
So, yeah. To the question, What if I fail-I’d like to just ask you all:
How will you make the most of your mistakes today?
Failing is not in your vocabulary!