Yes, If ...

A million years ago, when I was a teacher, I used to live for the professional development (PD) days. That's when teachers attended workshops and listened to motivational speakers. Those days were a welcome reprieve from the classroom -- and the students. (Don't judge me -- I taught junior high.)

Though I welcomed the break those days provided, the workshops and speakers were usually inspiring, and I always came away with a recharged battery, ready to dive back into the trenches. One speaker who had a profound effect on me was an American principal turned motivational speaker. I don't remember his name, but I shall never forget his message.

He shared a story about a group of junior high students who had come to him, pleading for a class trip to a place several states away from their school. These were good kids, but the principal's mind immediately began spinning with all the logistical hurdles such a trip would involve. His initial impulse was to say "No," but for some reason he bit back that response and said instead, "Yes, if ..." And then he proceeded to pass from his shoulders to theirs all those logistical issues. "Yes, if you can work out the cost and raise the money. Yes, if you can make the trip educationally relevant. Yes, if you can convince the school board and parent council. Yes, if you can find chaperones and sponsors. Yes, if you can make travel and accommodation arrangements." And so on.

One would think that would be enough to cool the kids' enthusiasm and end their dream trip before it started, but it actually had the opposite effect. Instead of giving up, the students proceeded to meet all the criteria the principal had set out. Bottom line: they got the trip.

Two other wonderful things happened as a result of the approach the principal took. Firstly, the onus didn't land on him. He didn't end up with the headaches of making the trip happen; nor was he perceived as the bad guy for vetoing the request. The other positive outcome of "Yes, if ..." was that it empowered the students, made them responsible, and heightened their problem-solving skills.

I took that principal's experience to heart, and over the years I've tried to employ his approach whenever possible with my own kids, students, and anyone else I have had dealings with. It is a win/win way of handling situations. All you have to ask is, "Whose problem is this?" Yes, if ... takes what could be a negative and turns it into a positive. I highly recommend it.

Why am I sharing this anecdote? Good question. It has little bearing on what's happening with my writing and art, except that over the past few months I've been tripping over roadblocks. So instead of getting cross with what I perceive to be other people dropping the ball, I thought of this principal's story and have taken the situation into my own hands and begun working towards fixing things.  (Okay fine -- I did get cross initially, but I quickly realized that wasn't getting me anywhere, so I opted for a more productive route.) I can't say that I've solved all the problems, but I do feel better for having done something other than feel sorry for myself.

THE END

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I hope you are having a wonderful summer. I certainly am. There's something about sunshine and summer flowers that brightens my spirits. I spent a week in Winnipeg with my son and his family. Mostly, it was the grandkids (both teenagers), the dog, and me, while my son and his wife jetted to Toronto for a concert. It was great. The kids took good care of me. The dog, on the other hand, stoically waited for me to go home. (I wouldn't give him any of my food, and I think he saw me as a bad influence on his people.)

Back home, I'm trying to finish my latest WIP. The end of August is the goal. Fingers crossed. We'll see. Yes if ... I stop playing computer games and get writing!

I've done some art too. Here are my latest efforts. I seem to be on a bit of a rowboat kick. Hmmm. (Watercolour on left; Digital on right.)

And lastly, I've been watching a lot of baseball, (Go, Blue Jays!), and this last weekend I live-streamed a Hoops Canada 3 X 3 basketball tournament in Toronto. Grandson #2 was a member of the winning Team -- Team Ontario. He was named MVP of the tournament. (Yes, Gramma is bragging. ) In September the team is headed for Brazil to compete in the World Championships being hosted there.

This photo was taken after winning their division but before heading to the nationals. (My grandson is on the right.)

Thanks for reading. See ya next month.