Manifesto

 

According to Webster, 

A manifesto is:

“A written statement declaring publicly the intentions, motives, or views of its issuer.”

 

At the end of a workshop I attended a couple of weeks ago, 

We were asked to write a manifesto of sorts,

A statement that would declare our goals for our classroom this year,

What we would like to see come to be.

 

I wrote: 

 

I will help create

Kind

Respectful

Culturally aware

Human beings 

With control over their bodies and voices

And with a love of music and learning.

 

I also wrote a mantra that day, 

A statement that I can repeat frequently 

To help keep me focused and not be overwhelmed.

 

I wrote:

You don’t have to do the whole two weeks at once,

Just do the next right thing.

 

Two weeks has become a phrase that Joe The Counselor and I use when I start to feel overwhelmed with all of the stuff that I have to do. 

 

Today marks the beginning of my 21st year of teaching.

My mantra has never been more needed,

And my manifesto never more clear.

 

One right step at a time

In helping create decent human beings, 

Myself included. 

 

Because we are all being created, 

Day in and day out, 

With every choice, 

With every breath, 

By the very Breath of Life that sustains us all. 

 

Amen. 

 

——

 

What is your mantra?

 

What is your manifesto? 

 

Take a few moments to ponder. 

 

And if you’d like, please share.