It's Friday and time for the Five Minute Friday linkup. I'm way late in this game, but rather than explain, I'll just give you the link to Kate's linkup.
This week's prompt is "Present".
Go!
Sally?
Here.
Jim?
Here.
Jessica?
Here.
Tammy?
Present.
As a first-year school teacher, the word "present" brought up a different use of the word than I would sometimes have pondered upon. I remember using the word "present" from time to time, as it was formal and I enjoyed formalities and literature and C.S. Lewis and the worlds I could escape to.
But then, I would have to come back to the present. There was nothing like getting lost in a book only to be jarred back to reality by the passing bell. I also greatly enjoyed logical math equations. I found comfort in their predictability.
Still, on the other side of the desks now, I have so many that are not "present", even when they are "here". It's increasingly difficult to maintain the attention of a group of children when you are in front of them. They're used to tuning out televisions and talk shows and news anchors, and sometimes we teachers fall into the "talking heads" category. (And now you're all hearing Charlie Brown's teacher via muted trombone)
I didn't write last night and almost didn't write at all, because part of this prompt made me uncomfortable. In that "Yes, I'm talking to you" sort of uncomfortable. I'm guilty of not being present. With my kids, with my husband, even with my friends.
It's so much easier to take a 15 second snippet of engagement and then break away. 30 seconds of attention and then-back to my distraction.
This is our pattern now. We are struggling to stay engaged and animated.
-Time-
So, my thought continued is this: if I cannot be present with the people I love most, how is that affecting my relationships in the deepest levels? What value am I communicating to them if I'm not willing to lay aside my distractions and be intentional? I certainly won't be teaching them to communicate well. Our children will be whatever we teach them to be. I want to teach my children to be "present."
~Tammy
P.S. I'd love to know your linkup number or URL so I can read your post as well. Please don't leave that out of your comment! :)
Always striving to be transparent and sincere as I learn what the Love of God truly means. "But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect" (1 Peter 3:15)
Tammy, so glad you wrote. I've missed you friend. Great post. I think we all are guilty of not being present at one time or another. Yes I totally picture Charlie Browns teacher through the talking head. Yes let's teach those in our lives to me present.
ReplyDeleteTara,
Deletethank you my friend. I've missed you too. But, I have to be present at my job and it leaves a lot less time for reading and writing outside of my classes. :D
Love,
Tammy
Totally understand that. Just wanted to let you know I nominated you for a blogging award. No worries if you cannot partipate. Here is the post: http://prayingontheprairie.blogspot.com/2016/01/its-award-season.html
DeleteLike Tara, I'm glad you're here!
ReplyDeleteI remember vividly how even college kids weren't really present. I had the reputation for being an engaging lecturer, and by around 2008 I was having a lot of trouble with kids switching off, and just turning to their phones in the middle of class.
The rules did not let me confiscate and destroy the phones. All I could do was to politely ask for attention...to which the response was almost always, "Yeah, in a minute, man."
So one day I brought in MY phone and started texting, standing at the front of the room...and no one noticed.
Andrew,
Deleteit's an increasingly distracted population, for sure. I was substitute teaching during the 2005-2009 school years and classroom management then versus now was different! These students are just so used to a faster pace of information. Short snippets and that's all they are able to gather, then they need to switch off to something else. Attention spans have been limited to 15 seconds!
I'm laughing at you texting in the front of a class.
Thanks for a joke! :)
~Tammy
I'm glad you decided to post!
ReplyDeleteIt's a tough job being a teacher. I remember a few of those moments when I was at school- being lost in my thoughts and suddenly realising everyone was waiting for me to give an answer, but I had no idea what the question even was! I think sometimes with teenagers though, they don't look as if they're listening but more sinks in than we realise.
It is true that there are so many distractions in life that it can be hard to stay present and really give our full attention to people, but it's so valuable when we do. I want to get better at doing this too.
Carly,
Deletethank you. I'm so glad you came over. I enjoyed your post as well. :) Being present is getting to be a harder thing to do every year!
Love,
Tammy
Tammy, this made me smile. Once again, looks like we have similar perspectives! (Our brains must have similar processing patterns) because the first thought that came to me was also... Roll Call! (I'm right below you at spot #85)
ReplyDeleteTondra,
Deleteoh I cannot wait to read your post! :)
Thank you for including your linkup number. It's good to hear from you, friend!
Love,
Tammy
So glad you decided to write, Tammy. Being intentionally present...so very important! We all need to work on this. Have a blessed weekend.
ReplyDeleteLynette
~#9 on linkup
Thank you Lynette,
DeleteI am looking forward to reading your post as well. Thank you for your linkup number!!
Love,
Tammy