Tall Sequoia's grow tall and strong, because they bend with the wind. Their priority, survival. Their design, sustainability. Rigidity, can cause them to crack and cleft. Yet, flexibility allows them to crook and arc, wobble and teeter, when necessary. It's impulse is to photosynthesize, germinate and cultivate, a niche for itself. Stimuli are constant: water, light, temperature, touch. A continual response system allows these successful plants, to anticipate, propagate and reciprocate with ease. They have endured climate change, deforestation and attack from local flora and fauna- but, they remain, steadfast, deep rooted and towering over the younger, more vulnerable greenery. It is all about stamina and perseverance.
Impulse and stimulus, for us Homo sapiens, will only take us so far. It will spark curiosity, increase enthusiasm, cause engrossment and attentiveness, but it will be temporary, if the allegiance and adherence is waning. It is one thing to have skill, it is another, to have a steady stream of devotion, dedication and duty. From a strict adherence, to participating in multiple activities and an overload of conquest and competition, comes burn out. While having an affinity, for a few ventures, can lead to greatness. We all can't be impeccable and expert at everything. Especially if we over-extend ourselves and try to master an abundance, of time-consuming hobbies and challenging enterprises. This is when priorities become difficult to arrange and something, often something we are passionate about, falls to the wayside. We have to let something go.
Time is our biggest obstacle. An unavoidable barrier to fulfilling, every one, of our interests. We can't be in two places at once, therefore we have to set priorities. We have to have a schedule. This itinerary may be limiting, but it is obligatory. I am seeing this in abundance lately. My students who are partaking in athletics, theater and both math and science competitions. They simply do not have time to do them all, well. They are showing signs of burn out. Their fatigue and unrelenting pressure placed by parents, as well as themselves, is beginning to become more visible and more taxing on them. We have to let kids be kids. They need to know that they have an escape route. That they can choose to wean themselves off, of so many investments.Time is precious and children need quiet time, reflection time, and family time. We need to find a way to challenge our children, but still let them have fun and just play.
I have to make some of my most eager, determined students, alternates rather than full players, because they are not coming to practice. They are prioritizing their myriad of activities and Quiz Bowl is at the bottom. I do not begrudge them their prerogative, to pursue and attend their other venues, but it does put a damper on our team. If they are alternates, they may not play as much, but they can still remain valuable players. If you do not show up for practice, you don't play. This is pretty much a universal commandment. As much as it pains me to do it, it needs to be done. I wish there was a better way, for these students to accomplish every task, they have every week. There just isn't. Maybe pulling them back a little on Quiz Bowl will allow them, to not burn out. Impulse, stimulus and allegiance- together, when used sparingly can fortify a child's participation, commitment and success. But we have to have limits. Their brains have to have a shut down mode- a sleep mode. As parents that needs to be our priority.
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