Joyful Jubilant Learning

My bag gets filled

In this monthly theme of "Packing Our Bags of 2008", I have already learned to pack gratitude and to unpack my ears to listen.

I am a wordsmith of sorts and pack my bag with words where ever I go. Writing about the detritus was not enough. As an optimizer, I felt the need to do more.

I am packing my bag with some stuff but not like Rosa's stuff.

I am packing my bag with stuff that could go into a skip.

As my wife, Dolores, and I go for our weekly walk, I am carrying a bag that starts empty. I pack it with bottles and cans that I find along the road. Yes, Dolores gave me that look, too. You know the kind only a loved one can give when they think you are acting crazy. Heaven forbid someone think I am destitute and picking up the cans for the money.

I persisted. I stopped here and there to pick up a bottle along the walk until my bag was full. I will not get it all at once. I know that. I am also patient. I plan on walking regularly. With a little time, a little effort here and there, the bottles and cans will gradually go away.

I may even get a logo bag to advertise my local blog. Other walkers in town could do the same thing. And then with apologies to Arlo Guthrie,

It's A "Wonder"ful Time Of The Year

Every so often, I become very conscious of how easily I fall into the commercialism that surrounds the Christmas season. I love giving and receiving gifts as much as the next guy (perhaps even more so). I just don't want to lose sight of what's most important and what's most significant about the holiday season.

As I was reading through some of the posts that have already been written this month on Joyful Jubilant Learning, my eyes caught the left hand margin - The Seven Wonders of JJL.

I remember when we created that list. We were looking for a unique way to share our learning when the calendar struck 7-7-07. Each of those seven "L" words helped us organize our ideas and thoughts.

As I looked over the list, I thought, "They'd make a great Christmas list!"

So in your quest to find the most meaningful of gifts this year, I offer the following:

LISTEN — Listening is so much harder than talking. If you listen, REALLY listen to others, you are offering them a gift that will communicate just how much you value them. Give someone your attention.

LAUGH — Laughter is so much fun. It has a way of healing the soul. Learning to laugh at yourself lightens your spirit. Give someone a moment to laugh so hard it brings tears to their eyes.

LEARN — Learning expands your world. Help others become the people they are meant to be by not remaining the people that they are - grow their minds. Give someone a chance to grow in a new direction.

LINK — My network grows as when I connect to the network of another. My own experience and connections might be a tremendous resource for someone else. Give someone an opportunity he or she might not be able to get on their own.

LOVE — The holidays have a way of magnifying the level of intensity we feel in our relationships. Make sure the ones you love know it. Give your love away. It's much more effective when it's shared.

LIVE — I once heard it said that the life you live, just might be your very own. With that in mind, come alongside others and find ways for them to get the absolute most out of life. Give someone a way to appreciate the best gift that each of us have...TODAY.

LEAP — Sometimes, the hardest step in a new direction is the first one. You can be an en"courage"r in the life of someone else. You can help them believe in themselves and to believe in their dream. The most exiting changes in the right direction happen when one jumps in with both feet. Give someone the courage to jump.

Do you remember what you got last year for Christmas? I'm struggling to do it even as I write this.

If you give gifts that flow from the spirit of the list above, you'll be giving something memorable and meaningful. They'll be gifts that last.
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Tim Milburn approaches life a lot like he approaches presents, enthusiastically moving past the surface of things so that he can get to the heart of the matter. He dedicates much of his time to developing student leaders through his blog and resources at www.studentlinc.net.

Special Birthday Greetings

In case you were not aware, today is a special day. Phil Gerbyshak and I share this day as our birthday. How cool is it that two folks, meeting and connecting through the wonderful world of the web, share the same birthday!

He is off making it great as usual. Add to his day with a birthday greeting!

I am off to get in a good run (during which I'll do some leaping),

then cover some family activities (during which I hope to do some laughing),

and then I should be back online later today to provide some updates (during which I'll do some learning).

Make it a great day!

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Steve Sherlock writes his 2 cent views on life from Franklin, MA. He explores the "good experience", "life long learning" and life in general, after handling the "before you blog" list his wonderful wife Dolores  provides him. Together they are enjoying the empty nest while their daughters are away at college. He has also resumed running and he podcasts tips and coaching advice at Passionate Runner.

If I was a life long learner

Our collaborative effort is complete. If you are not familiar with the original song you can view it via YouTube.

And with our sincere apologies to the Barenaked Ladies here is the JJL version:

If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd write on my blog (I'd write on my blog)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd buy a real new computer (maybe a nice Apple or an HP)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd learn to use del.icio.us (a big fancy link-sharing machine )
If I was a life long learner, I'd link to you

If I was a life long learner
I'd join a group of joyful learners
If I was a life long learner
You could help, it wouldn't be that hard
If I was a life long learner
Maybe we could collaborate on a song
Wouldn't that be wonderful!

If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd send you an email (but not a spam email, that's cruel)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd invite you to the group (like LinkedIn or FaceBook)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd record a podcast (maybe a video someday)
If I was a life long learner I'd link to you

If I was a life long learner
We wouldn't have to walk to the library
If I was a life long learner
We'd ask the group a question something we didn't know
If I was a life long learner We wouldn't have to go without knowing

If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd live without watching TV (especially a reality show, that's cruel)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd leap to help someone in need (like a good Samaritan)
If I was a life long learner (If I was a life long learner)
I'd laugh with you at good jokes (maybe tell one myself)
If I was a life long learner I'd love to link to you.

Barnstable does it right

My official turn here comes up later this month but an article in today's Boston Globe caught my eye. The Barnstable High School Girl's Volleyball Team is a powerhouse in MA. How it got there and stays on top of its game is the confirmation of lessons for us.

The girls on Barnstable High School's legendary volleyball team decide over a sub-shop lunch to warm up to Kanye West's "Stronger" at the season home opener that could bring their winning streak to 100 matches. Then they dash through a downpour to Kristi Everson's Ford Escort and Kara Cullen's Jeep for the short ride to afternoon practice.

After slogging through axle-deep puddles, Cullen's brakes fail at a red light, and she hits Everson's car. Nobody is hurt, but Everson erupts into tears when she pulls into the school parking lot and inspects the crumpled back of her 8-year-old compact. Cullen moans, "I just rear-ended my best friend's car." Casey Eagan breaks the tension. "This is a 'thunderbolt,' she announces. "We'll get through it.

Once again, the team reaches for the counsel of professional basketball coach Pat Riley, dispensed in his book The Winner Within: A Life Plan for Team Players, which their coach, Tom Turco, has them read every year.

and this:

Turco has begun his 20th year as head coach. He's an adaptive physical education teacher specializing in special needs students. When he wanted, in 1986, to try working with more typical youngsters as well, girls' volleyball needed a head coach. Never mind that Turco's experience consisted of one season of club volleyball at Bridgewater State College. He landed the junior varsity job, not varsity. "Thank God," he says. In 1988 alone, his first year as head coach, he attended a dozen coaching clinics. The team's 5-11 record that season comprises one-quarter of Turco's 43 career losses.

"As frustrated as I was, I sought the advice of some very, very good people," Turco recalls. "I was either going to not coach or be a successful coach."