Many of the truths that we cling to, depend on our point of view (Obi Wan Kenobi)

 

Star Wars: Galaxy's Edge, January 1, 2023

It’s a funny thing about life, once you begin to take note of the things you are grateful for, you begin to lose sight of the things that you lack (Germany Kent)

The previous post indicated some leaders that I'm very grateful to have worked with, or who I am continuing to learn from.

Ten years ago I wrote about 25 things I was thankful for. At the time I was living and working in the Middle East.

Here's some other things I'm thankful for (in a work sense) in the present tense:

• I am very grateful for being employed full stop. But further to that, I am very grateful to be employed by OneSchool Global. We all provide a Good Feel Index (GFI) rating each week out of 10 and each week I give a 10 for that reason. To do otherwise seems churlish to me. Thank you OSG!
• I am thankful that I have been following my bliss since I was 12 years old (the desire path was teaching). I continue to love my choice of profession (even on bad days like last Friday).
• The people I have worked with since I started teaching (I am lucky to have worked in five different countries around the world and I'll tell you this and I'll tell you no more - there are good people in teaching everywhere I've been)
• The facilities I currently work in are amazingly bespoke for self-directed learners.
• I am thankful to the bosses I've had who have trusted me and left me to get on with it and not micro-managed me. Currently - thanks Paul!
• The mentors I've had along the way stay with me (Colin Prentice is like Obi-Wan - when cancer struck him down he became more powerful than he could have possibly imagined).
• I've appreciated all the learning I have received from some outstanding individuals along the way apart from Colin Prentice: Colin Donald; Alison Ivey; Annette Sivak; Sonja Schutte; Tom Ryder; Terry Heaps; Roger Moses; Peter Joyce; Margaret Wilson; Rob McMurray; Graeme McFadyen; Jenni Dittmer; Toni Dunstan; Greg Semmens; Amy Reid; Dionne Thomas; Jackie Barron; Andrew Plant; Sue Miller; Peter Garelja; Martin Mitchell; WOH Gibbs; Jim Seumanu...and that's just a few that immediately spring to mind!

If you want it come and get it (David Gray)

I read (and recommend you do too) Matthew McConaughey's address to students with his 13 lessons learned and it made me think about advice.

Btw - hilarious photo - love the look on the academics behind him!

I like the sentiment expressed in the suncream monologue - 

Be careful whose advice you buy but be patient with those who supply it.Advice is a form of nostalgia, dispensing it is a way of fishing the pastfrom the disposal, wiping it off, painting over the ugly partsand recycling it for more than it's worth.

Damn straight, but it doesn't stop us being interested in the advice that is offered in addresses like McConaughey's.

Personally, when faced with a difficult decision I like a combination of Obi Wan Kenobi (trust your feelings) and David Gray (Let go your heart; Let go your head: And feel it now).