Musings: Unplug

Today I visited the beautiful Coldwater Creek farm. Miles away from the city, I explored the world of aquaponics and glamping.

The best part of the day was a decision I made.

As my family left, I made the decision not to do anything on my phone for the entire trip.

I had a lot on my mind. I could have tried to fix everything from my iPhone, but I knew that wouldn’t help me.

Spending 5 hours without the stress of technology was wonderfully freeing. I was faced with the reality that many times, I stunt my creativity by simply having a phone nearby. I found joy in not worrying about anything, simply enjoying the moment. (There’s stress involved in taking pictures to document each moment as well.)

This evening I attended a wonderful group call with Praxis advisor Amanda Kingsmith as the speaker. She stressed the importance of taking breaks in the day.

It’s true. Your brain function is hindered when you don’t give yourself some breathing time.

In fact, many people don’t give themselves any breathing time whatsoever. This can be extremely detrimental to motivation and productivity.

Truly want a break? Unplug, if only for a couple minutes or hours. It gives your brain time to process ideas and get a clear picture of your next step.

Have you tried unplugging? Let me know your best tips for de-stressing!

Musings: Homeschoolers and College

Homeschoolers, out of any group of people, seem to be the most focused on getting in to college.

Why?

Incidentally, the logic that leads people to opt out of the traditional education experience is the same reason they should avoid college.

If the goal is to create an individual experience, then why would a young person go off to learn in the same institution everyone else pursues?

The value of a college degree is determined by the people who hold it.

This is the reason homeschoolers should take a step back and think about the college experience. What does the degree really signal? If it puts you on the level of every other college student that holds the degree, does it really set you apart?

When you have already been set apart by your homeschool experience, there is no reason to try to give yourself an edge. You already have one.

Homeschooled young people are supposed to be ahead of the game. Otherwise, there’d be no reason to learn at home instead of in a school environment.

They’re ahead because they’re different. They’re different because they haven’t gone through the exact same schooling process that everyone else has finished.

But…

College also trains young adults to think inside a box.

At the very least, it gives each person the same blueprint.

This is the antithesis of homeschooling.

To be fair, there was an advantage to college several decades ago. But technology has advanced to the point where information can be accessed much more cheaply than before.

Technology has also made it possible for individuals to signal value without a degree. They can learn while creating content, using their skills to reach others.

Besides, college textbooks can hardly keep up with the advances in technology. It makes much more sense to involve yourself in the advancing world than to hide away for several years while you “learn how to think.”

Homeschoolers, don’t break the mold just to put yourself into it again.

Rethink college.

Nannies are not Your Normal Humans

Nanny: the word conjures images of nerdy 16-year-old homeschool girls who need a side job.

I prefer to call myself a childcare worker. (It creates a more professional word picture.)

But in all seriousness, the job of a nanny is overlooked. This post is for all those persons who make money spending time with kids.

Who else has the patience to handle 11 humans under 4 years old?

Who can hold 3 babies at once but a nanny?

A nanny spoils like Grandma, loves like mom, and teaches like dad.

It’s hard work. There are the days when every 2-year-old decides to unleash the terrible. All the diapers need to be changed at once, and everyone cries. That’s when a nanny’s superpowers shine.

It takes the toughest kind of patience to stay steady in moments like those. But it’s worth it.

You’re the last one to look into their eyes as they fall asleep.

You’re the one they run to when they are crying.

Those little voices call your name in play, and those little arms reach for you when they need love.

Yes, it’s worth every minute. And you gain a good set of skills working with little ones.

Goes to show that the most menial jobs birth the strongest qualities. Fellow nannies, we support and love you!

The Wisdom of Youth With Solomon Hanes: Season 1 Episode 6

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Solomon Hanes is a creative learner who has chosen not to take the traditional route of college for his education. In addition to an apprenticeship in Delaware, he hosts the Elder Tree Podcast. He runs a creative Facebook group called the Creative Condition.

Solomon is also building his brand as a photographer. His Instagram page documents his life artistically. Here’s a link to his website, where he features more of his photography and his writing:  http://solomonhanes.com/

Solomon believes the term “education” has been misused.

 

“If I had to choose never to use the word “education” again, I probably wouldn’t use it, because in today’s society it is so associated with the schooling system.”

However, learning is not limited to school. Solomon uses the example of our interview on the podcast as a way he is passively learning communication skills.

Once you realize the things you are learning passively, you can use this knowledge to analyze

One main facet of education, according to Solomon, is self-examination. Realizing how you learn helps you develop processes that help you learn more effectively.

“Learning about yourself and how you think is so valuable,” Solomon summarizes.

We cover Solomon’s story, from homeschool to high school to Praxis. He read finance and marketing books during class, and poured himself into the lawn care business he built at the same time.

He’s full of ideas for the future.

We also talk about the Praxis business partner experience.

(22:00)

This is the 6-month apprenticeship side of the program. Solomon gives a bird’s-eye view of what the work experience is like.

After the boot camp. Praxis places each participant with a business partner that best fits their needs and interests. The participants spend half a year in a paid apprenticeship position with their business partner. The coolest part? By the time you finish the apprenticeship, you pay off your Praxis tuition!

What words describe the apprenticeship experience?

  • Independent. “You have to count on you… you’re accountable for yourself.” -Solomon
  • Fast-paced. Participants are intentionally placed in roles that stretch them, making the experience one of the most adventuresome things they will ever do.
  • Fun. Solomon works for an arcade on the East coast. He is currently in charge of all their marketing.

Here’s an article on the Praxis blog that details what participants learn in the apprenticeship.

Solomon’s wisdom for other young people:

 

“Get out there and learn. Or, learn in the classroom… as long as you’re learning things that you deem valuable… Whether you think school is boring or not, think, ‘What will help me in the future the most?’ “

Let Me Fail

Here’s what I love most about being a teenager: it’s expected that you’ll make mistakes often. Many people give you room to grow.

However, the more open you are about your goals and dreams, the more pressure is put on you to get everything perfect.

Additionally, as you learn and succeed, people start to expect you to get everything right the first time. It’s an unspoken rule that when you master one thing, you have to master the next.

On one hand, this is extremely motivating to me. I love the pressure, and I strive to make progress every day, to reach my goals, and to succeed at what I put my mind to.

On the other hand, this makes me somewhat frustrated. It seems like a young adult can look at failure in a positive light all he wants, but it never changes other people’s opinions of his failure. They smile and wag their heads, saying “I knew it all along,” and forget about him.

As a young person who is excited about life, I plead for every teenager who is trying out new ideas:

Let me fail.

 

Don’t try to stop me because you think my dreams are too big. Don’t stand in my way because I might hurt myself. And if I make a mistake, urge me to fix it and become a better person because of my failure.

Failure is an integral part of the learning process. To the people surrounding the young, passionate learners among you: Stop modeling failure as bad. Recognize that experience is one of the best teachers anyone can learn under.

Let me fail.

 

Top 5 Quotes On Education

  • “Education consists mainly in what we have unlearned.” -Mark Twain

True stuff. Education is not the act of stuffing information into your brain. It’s the constant refinement of ideas.

  • “When you take the free will out of education, that turns it into schooling.” -John Taylor Gatto

Schooling is the process of educating everyone the same way. However, we are all individuals and this process takes the individuality out of a human.

  • “What does education often do? It makes a straight cut ditch out of a free, meandering brook.” -Henry David Thoreau

Traditional education seeks to fit each child into the same box as his peers. This kills the potential of every child that fits in the box.

  • “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”- Albert Einstein

Learning was meant to be a process of constant curiosity. When this is stifled by a standard of education, the human stops growing.

  • “Knowledge that is acquired under compulsion obtains no hold on the mind.” -Plato

True education is that knowledge that makes you come alive. It’s not going to be the same as the person beside you. We kill the growth in humanity by expecting each individual to know the same things as everyone else.

Copywriting Exercise: Ft. Copyblogger

Praxis’ Module 3 week 4 is focused on Marketing Copy. The deliverable for the week is a video assessing the copy of any website.

Critiquing other’s work helps you develop methods to better your own. 

I put my own spin on this challenge. I took an amazing article by Copyblogger called 7 Ways to Write Damn Bad Copy. It had some amazing insights that clicked even with someone like me, who is new to copywriting. Continue reading Copywriting Exercise: Ft. Copyblogger

Musings: True Love

“True love is not a strong, fiery, impetuous passion. It is, on the contrary, an element calm and deep. It looks beyond mere externals, and is attracted by qualities alone. It is wise and discriminating, and its devotion is real and abiding.” -Ellen G White

Today I went through a closet full of clothes. These antique pieces were the memories an 85-year-old veteran’s wife.

She died two years ago, and he hasn’t changed anything in the house. Her lipstick and mascara sit on the granite makeup counter, as if she had put them down yesterday.

The pictures all through the beautiful house tell their story. Pictures of a young wife holding the portrait of her husband, off fighting for his country. Snaps of their family through the years. A heartfelt image of them dancing together.

They were married for over 60 years. The last 5 of those years, he was her caretaker as she battled with Alzheimer’s. Now, he lives alone in their empty house that still looks just like her.

He doesn’t talk much. But anytime you mention his lover, a spark lights up in his eyes and a smile graces his weathered countenance.

60 years in love. It’s what everyone dreams about but few accomplish. I don’t know what their formula was, but I’m sure it had something to do with the fact that he stuck by her till the very end.

I packed those clothes up with the determined ambition to build a love like that. It’s hard work, but it can be done.

And to those who have built a love that lasts, thank you. You don’t know how many people you impact. I’m only the veteran lover’s cleaning girl.

What is Philosophy? And Then Some

 

 

It’s interesting to me how kids are humans in pure form. Untouched by the biases and mindsets that adults have formed, young children can teach us a multitude of things about how to approach the world.

This is one aspect of the Module 4 curriculum I cover in this week’s video.

Praxis’ Module 4 is packed with information. And it’s some of the most thought-provoking content I will ever cover.

Here’s my take on Week 1, covering Philosophy.