“The greatest natural resources are the minds of our children” (Disney, n.d).

When contemplating the intricacies of the mind verses the heart, I believe one of the greatest realizations we can experience is the drive between the two, and how this human experience would be tragically different if one were ignored.  In my profession, everything I do is intended to help my learners connect meaningfully, and learn how to learn so they can be set free to imagine the impossible.  I believe we have a great responsibility to cultivate a stirring within their hearts to dream of a future they have the ability to create.  Simon Sinek (2013) suggests that “people don’t buy what we do, they buy why we do it.”  The portion of our brain that cultivates emotion is what drives our heart language. This invites us to reflect on who we are and why we do what we do.  It is not only essential that we address our why, but that we become a living reflection of it.  We must become the why that we claim.  When we become our why, we are inviting people to join our cause, as though our very lives are the inspiring call to action.  I believe my learners deserve to understand my why so they can begin to discover their own.  It cultivates ownership in their process, and a hope that they, too, can be dreamers and history makers.

We were invited in our latest course Leading Organizational Change to reflect on our why and how we plan to execute this dream.

Why—We believe that engaged learning is the catalyst that will set our learners free to become a force of change we wish to see in the world.  

How–To do this we create significant learning opportunities in which learners engage in project based learning and share their meaningful connections through their personal ePortfolio.

What—Learners showcase a legacy of meaningful connections through their ePortfolio to influence a passion for learning with a real-world audience.

Why Capture the Heart

I believe that life is one of the greatest lessons we can experience, and it is up to us whether or not we take part.  We have the free will to choose, and the responsibility to choose wisely.  Each of us has a story, each chapter a new lesson that welcomes us to reflect on who we are and why we are here.  Shauna Niequist (2013) describes this in her own words:

“So this is the dance, it seems to me: to be the kind of host who honors the needs of the people who gather around his or her table, and to be the kind of guest who comes to the table to learn, not to demand.” 

This illustrates life as the dance, and each of us acting the role of host, welcoming our learners to an environment to grow, discover, and experience learning as an adventure.  When we capture the hearts of our learners, it empowers them to inquire, buzz with curiosity, and share their own stories with the world.  Life is about learning and sharing the message of hope for a brighter future.  How do we do this?  We do this one learner at a time, and guiding them to see that even the most mundane moments of life as sacred. Our learners deserve to experience by our own example that all of life is an adventure, not just the grand successes.  This perspective cultivates gratitude, the foundation for true joy to shine.  Shauna Niequist goes on to say:

“This is what I’m finding, in glimpses and flashes: this is it. This is it, in the best possible way. That thing I’m waiting for, that adventure, that move-score-worthy experience unfolding gracefully. This is it. Normal, daily life ticking by on our streets and sidewalks, in our houses and apartments, in our schools, in our beds and at our dinner tables, in our dreams and prayers and fights and secrets – this pedestrian life is the most precious thing any of us will ever experience”  (2007).

Of course I want my learners to dream bigger than their wildest imaginations, but most of all, I hope to inspire them to a life of gratitude, one that unveils life as a precious gift, and that their dreams are theirs.  I want them to believe in the power of their own legacy, and the lessons they have learned and will learn along the way are not in vain, but have the power to heal.  My innovation dream to implement project based learning in our organization stems from my deeply rooted belief that learning happens organically and collaboratively.  When we capture the hearts of our learners, and place them in an environment that fosters growth, it creates a ripple effect, spreading the message of hope that life is all about learning.  John Kotter (2013) recommended that the most influential path to change is to establish a sense of urgency. I believe that when my learners are given the opportunity to share their message with the world through their ePortfolio, it creates a sense of urgency not just within themselves, but inspires their audience to join in their adventure. They learn by being their own teacher and guiding others to do the same.  They begin to become their why, and I believe the greatest gift we can give our learners is the discovery of their most authentic selves, and how to continue this exploration in their futures.  They will be prepared for a version of the world we haven’t experienced yet. 

What drives you to capture hearts?

References:

Kotter, J. (2013, August 15). Leading change: Establish a sense of urgency. Retrieved from https://youtu.be/2Yfrj2Y9IlI

Niequist, S. (2007, October, 9). Cold tangerines: Celebrating the extraordinary nature of every day life. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Niequist, S. (2013, April). Bread and wine: A love letter to life around the table with recipes. Grand Rapids, Michigan: Zondervan.

Sinek, S. (2013, September 29). Start with why. Retrieved from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sioZd3AxmnE

12 Walt Disney Quotes That Will Inspire You. (n.d.). Retrieved July 16, 2019, from http://brightdrops.com/inspiring-walt-disney-quotes