Any emotion that follows a "what if..." thought. Bad "what if's" bring anxiety. Good "what if's" bring a feeling of lack in the moment. When I can recognize those thoughts and let them go, I feel much freer and lighter.

I believe we can receive an answer for every question we ask. However, the answer may be different the next time we ask it.

Changing the World. I am going to give it a try in my own Schoolhouse. I have a course outline and we start in two weeks. Children need to recognize that they change the world all the time. They do not need to wait for adulthood to make a positive difference in the world.
http://zenny.zaadz.com/blog

My eyes bolted open and i shot straight up in bed. I don't really remember the dream. It wasn't one with visuals and a story. It was more like having something told to me without words. The question I went to sleep with was "What can i do?"

I have a schoolhouse where I tutor children and help homeschoolers with planning and curriculum. I sometimes teach enrichment classes for homechoolers as well.

The answer to my question as i sat up in bed that morning: Teach a class on Changing the World. With no idea what that would look like, i decided to go forward. The class will begin soon.

Since I had the dream, the vision for the class has become clearer. It will be more a gathering than a class, and will take place in the afternoon so school children can attend as well. It will progress in an organic way, influenced by the interests and input of the children who participate. I will do some planning but will try to keep things open as well. It will not be a tuition class, but by donation. It honestly feels a bit like hang gliding, holding on to the idea and hoping for an updraft.

One thing is clear. We all change the world all the time in each moment. This class will help children see that, regardless of their age, they can and do make a difference. Let us make these changes in a consciously positive way. This is not a finger wagging "You better be good" class, but one in which they feel empowered by their individual gifts and strengths.

I see this progressing in four stages:
1: Reflection. Discovering our gifts and ways in which each child would like to serve. What are you good at? What do you enjoy doing? Do you prefer to work alone, in a team, as a support person? Some children may think, "I like to play video games, or baseball." There are gifts evident in those interests that they must recognize that go beyond games; enjoying progress in clear stages, working as a team, etc.

2. Exploration. Many of the children signed up for the class are currently volunteering locally. This stage is about researching what other children are doing in the world to make a difference. What organizations are there that we can help? What causes out there interest each child? We will help them find something they can be passionate about working toward.

3. Collaboration. As we will be working with others, i feel some collaboration skills would be helpful. Through activities and games we can help develop sensitivity to others. For instance, moving through space as a group in dance teaches us to be aware of the motion and speed of each person so that together we can create a unified shape. If they are working in an organization, a lesson on confidentiality would be good.
 
4. Action. The final stage is walking the children through the steps of making a decision and taking that into action. Hopefully, through our experiences each child will be able to find a concrete way to make a positive difference in the world. Each will be uniquely his or her own, even if it is as simple as helping a younger sibling with homework.

The response to this class idea from parents has been very good. Eyes widen when i tell them about it, so i feel we may be on to something here. (I say "we" because it clearly wasn't my idea.)

I am very excited about it, and am hoping there may be some Zaadzters out there with ideas for any of the four stages for me. I am looking for organizations in which children can participate, examples of children making a difference, inspiring quotes or stories, collaboration activity ideas, book titles to share (both children's books and books for grown ups), skill inventories, or anything i have forgotten.

Thanks for being so inspiring!

The first warm day after winter when i am free to soak up the sun. I set out a couple of big cushy sleeping bags to lie on, grab a book and a big glass of ice water. The dog and the cat usually join me, and we nap and relax our way through the day.