A Christmas Carol #1
All of my former students and co-workers have been on my mind a great deal lately. I am continually reminded of how BLESSED I have been by so many over the years. My favorite part of social media is being able to keep tabs on the incredible things you are all doing!
I shared something with our teachers (last year, I think:)) that I was reminded again of this morning. I thought I would share a few of the thoughts with those that were interested over the next few days, perhaps as a word of encouragement.
"Okay, I will admit it now - one of my favorite smells is diesel fuel. Diesel fuel reminds me of the joy of music and the love of family.
This is the point where you are thinking “WHAAAAT?? Is this guy crazy??” Well, maybe a little, but please allow me explain. Diesel fuel triggers in my memory the countless hours I spent on school busses traveling with kids to and from marching band events over the course of my career. My favorite moments as a band director were the ones heading from the parking lot into the warm up area for contest, preparing the hearts and minds of student performers for competition. The buses were where we would debrief after a contest and talk about the importance of the process and not the result. Diesel fuel reminds me of the reason why I do what I do.
“He was conscious of a thousand odors floating in the air, each one connected with a thousand thoughts, and hopes, and joys, and cares, long, long forgotten” – Charles Dickens
I love the holiday season. The anticipation of it all is exhilarating. Whether it is the expectation of the gifts or the hope of keeping the performance together with limited rehearsal time, this singular month on the calendar, with its unique seasonal offerings certainly has an effect on the way we see the world around us.
I decided several years ago that I was going to start a new holiday tradition – to annually read Charles Dickens’ classic A Christmas Carol. I have loved this story ever since I was a child. There is just something about the reality that it is never too late to adjust our perspective on life that speaks to me. I have found that a good cup of coffee and some self-reflection does me a lot of good during the month of December.
There are four quotes from Dickens’ work that unexpectedly stood out to me this year that I believe are worth reflection. Here is the first:
“He has the power to render us happy or unhappy; to make our service light or burdensome; a pleasure or a toil. Say that his power lies in words and looks; in things so slight and insignificant that it is impossible to add and count ‘em up: What then? The happiness he gives is quite as great as if it costs a fortune.”
Scrooge suddenly gets this Undercover Boss kind of revelation that, as the leader, he sets the tone for those he works with. It is complete freedom of choice that determines whether his workplace will be one of happiness or unhappiness; enjoyable or a drag. Alfred Adler once commented, “It is the individual who is not interested in his fellow men who has the greatest difficulties in life and provides the greatest injury to others. It is from among such individuals that all human failures spring.” The point…our perspectives should determine our priorities, and our priorities should determine our practice. HOW we do our work has an effect on the people around us, and people should ALWAYS be the priority!