...watch out, the chickens are going to take over the world!

...or so says my 11 year old step-son.  Now I'm sure you are thinking the same things I was thinking upon hearing this...when are they arriving, how many are coming, how will we defend against this poultry predator onslaught, and how much will this defense add to the national debt ...OK, so I will admit that chickens taking over the world is a far-fetched, albeit creative statement (made by one of my most favorite people in the world, not to mention one of the most creative...there evidently is a whole plan, how and when this is all going to go down, you name it, he has the details).  Honestly, his statement has spawned a whole ongoing, inside-the-family running joke that I don't think will see an end...however, it got me thinking...

...chickens taking over the world is an absurd thought, it isn't going to happen, not ever, they don't have opposable thumbs...yet, how many of us have seen in our own lives, and those around us, absurd things happen? Major, "big chicken" things: extended job loss, death, bankruptcy, one of those, two of those, or all three plus some...things we never really imagined, let alone thinking more than one of them would happen.  We thought our job was safe, our families were healthy and that the savings would last.  Losing a job?  A loved one passing away?  Losing almost everything material of value?  The thought of that is certainly absurd....(that humming noise is the sound of the chickens approaching)

....maybe it isn't something so major "little chicken" things: maybe it is a fender bender, a flat tire, a stolen i pod, a bad day, seemingly inconvenient things....but, they too have their own absurdity factor....my question is how many times are we caught off guard by absurd, and maybe not so absurd things...(the chickens are getting closer, can you hear them?)

...The point is that we all have situations where "chickens are taking over our world," where we are stunned and can't or won't believe what happened or what was said...so how do we handle these poultry predators when they come our way, do we let them get closer and threaten our welfare, or do we, despite the absurdity of the situation, get ready to battle, determined to pummel some poultry?

I'll admit this is definitely on the silly side.  But sometimes far-fetched ideas deliver some of our best ideas, best truths and best solutions...so when a challenge is headed our way, or maybe it has already found us, what attitude and action are we going to take?  Are we going to let our chickens take over our world or are we going to inflict some chicken carnage?

Enough silliness...I'm off to get more details on the chickens' plans...

I value..therefore I listen...

...I value myself, therefore I listen to pod-casts and books from experts in their field in order to constantly learn...
...I value my impact, therefore I listen to these pod-casts, books, and other professionals so that I can learn how to be a positive impact and force on those in my life, around me and those I encounter...
...I value others...therefore I listen to them(or try my best to), especially when what they are saying is not what their words are delivering...
...I value myself...therefore I listen to myself...to what I know to be the truth of me and in me....

...I value...therefore I listen....

OK, I give....

...yep, I give...the question is though, do I give up or do I give more...more of myself, more of my time, more of my energy, more of my emotions...I know many teachers, especially Special Education teachers feel this way and often ask this question.  In special ed, we can get so used to working so very hard for a seemingly disproportionate return from our students.  Yet, we get excited, we celebrate, we get more and more energy, (and then often give more and more) from these little victories.  That was at least how it was for me for 7 years.  I worked with hearing impaired kiddos (or peewees as I call them) at the elementary level.  I would work so hard and extend so much energy, and they always, in some way showed they appreciated it.  Now, I am at the secondary level, and give and give and give, and the recipients aren't always so thankful.  Or at least they don't show it.  I didn't realize that a seemingly minor component would impact me so much.  I never got into this for the thanks or to be recognized. I did it and continue to do it to make a difference.  Isn't that part and parcel to being a teacher?  Now I find myself sometimes so very drained, having given so much, and gotten very little back.  I didn't realize how much it could impact until I found myself having one of those days that if someone/anyone had said "Thanks"  for anything, whether they knew me or not, would have made a difference, my energy would have started to increase.  I would have even taken a "thanks for helping to keep up the  natural Carbon Dioxide/oxygen exchange of the environment by breathing."  Yep, that would have brightened my day.

So, with that feeling in me, I have found myself again giving more than I thought I could.  But lately, I'm starting to question if I'm not giving more than I should...now I'm dealing with kids that are almost of an age that they can legally drive, vote and be sent to war.  They can make their own decisions.  If they chose not to do homework, nothing I say, do or accommodate will change that.  If they chose to ignore instruction, by sleeping, talking or listening to their i pod, that may not be something I can not change.  Are all my extra efforts, assistance and hoop jumping helping or hindering?  Am I helping to create a monster or am I helping to create a masterpiece?  A person that has had their hand held so much that when they get out of school, life is going to not be kind, maybe even seemingly target them.  Someone who feels entitled to far more than what life is willing to give them.  Am I doing them a disservice?  Do I give up knowing, yet not fully accepting, that nothing I do can make an impact?

Or am I creating someone who has had help and compassion shown to them that will then bless this world with one more person who seeks to make it a better place for others.

...so I'm left to wonder, do I give more or give up?    ...I give....