How To Read this Blog

How will I get the most out of this blog? 
I want to talk about how to read. The way you read changes how much you will get out of reading this book. If you read in a traditional way, you will learn some interesting information. But, it will not necessarily change your relationship with your difficult students.  
If you read in a different way, this blog has the potential to be a seed. You will add the fertilizer of ideas from your own life and combine it with these ideas to create something that is new and works for you. 
How do I read in the second way? 
You read like you listen to music. 
Let me explain. As an elementary school teacher, I teach students how to think while they are reading. This is an important analytical skill they need to learn.  I teach them to make connections from the text with their lives. I ask them to read critically. I ask them to think about what the author says in a critical manner. This is how we often read non-fiction. 

I'm sure you teach your students these very same skills. And in doing so, you have gotten really good at these skills. You do them automatically.

But do you remember what it is like to have a story read out loud to you? Can you remember being so absorbed in the story it felt like it was happening right there in front of you? Can you remember feeling lulled into a magical world while reading? Take a moment and close your eyes. Really imagine this is happening. What is the room like. Where are you sitting? What does it smell like? How did you feel? 
When that was happening, your mind was not busy. You were not absorbed in your thoughts. They might have come and gone, but you were focused on the story and the words. 
It was like you were listening to music.  
When possible, that is how I want you to read this blog. 
How do I read the blog without thinking a lot? Isn’t that like asking me to not think of an elephant? It’s impossible. 

This is not something you need to do. It is something you can be curious about.  It is like, when it is sunny outside, you might want to enjoy a walk. Or, maybe it’s raining now,  but the forecast looks like it could be sunny later, you might want to hold off on a walk. Or you might want to get started anyway because you don’t pay much attention to the rain. If it goes away, great, if not, you can still have a nice walk. Sometimes you have a lot of thoughts (like rain), sometimes it is drizzling and other times it is sunny. I don’t think we really have any control over the weather. And we can’t always control our thinking either. 
So, you can just allow the thoughts to be. You can notice that you have a lot of thoughts or are feeling frustrated or whatever. Pause. Take a breath. Or just look up and around at your room taking in your surroundings. Then, if you feel like it, try backing up and reading the paragraph again. Or take a break from reading all together. Or keep on reading. 
Or don’t do that. 
Honestly, though, it doesn’t really matter what you do. Just if you can, notice the moments where you read with an empty mind. Those are potentially the moments when your thinking can shift. Notice when you have a calm, peaceful feeling. When you start to feel that, I suggest that you might consider stopping reading and just pause for a moment. Rest in that feeling.

Key Idea:  
  •  We can’t always control our thinking. And that’s ok.  
  • Notice the moments where you read with an empty mind. Those are potentially the moments when your thinking can shift. 
Meditation to practice how to read this blog:

(You can do this meditation practice at any time for any reason . . . FYI. It is great when you have strong emotions and it's great when you are feeling calm.)

Put a favorite playlist on shuffle and see what song comes up. Be surprised. Listen to it with the intention of just listening. Don’t fight your mind if it starts to wander, But, when you notice it has wondered take a moment to tune in with how you feel in your body. How did that daydream make your feel? 
Then, let your mind come back to the music and notice the sound. Dance or move your body with it if you feel inspired. Notice how you feel before and after the song is over. 


Bring that same intention into how you read this blog or anything else that has the potential to change the way you think or see the world. 


Reading to learn
Read like it is music
Pay close attention to the facts
Pay close attention to how it feels
Think about how you agree or disagree
Listen to be impacted
Your mind is focused on the topic
Your mind might wander wherever, and then come back to the topic
Focused work
Relaxed state of mind 
Big Idea: 

  • This blog has the potential to be a seed. You will add the fertilizer of ideas from your own life and combine it with these ideas to create something that is new and works for you. 
  • You read like you listen to music. 
  • If you are moved by the information, please let a friend or colleague know. The world needs people who are listening to inspiration and doing this work.
  • Thank you for reading. I feel honored to get to share this with you.

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