Happy Thursday, everyone!
During our big staff training right before school started, Susie invited the entire Team SLOCA to explore what “wonder” means. How can wonder lead us to wisdom? Is wonder a super power? How can we encourage wisdom in our work here at the school? Those were the questions that became a catalyst to a rich discussion among your student’s staff and teachers.
Well, yesterday, we had the privilege of hearing from Melissa Godsey. Today, we are excited to hear from her husband, Michael Godsey, our Directory of Community Life. As Michael shares his reflections on this idea of “i wonder,” we encourage you to slow down and ponder. What could this look like for you?
My Wondering Life
When I was younger, I used to space out in wonder, sometimes right in front of people. Even in high school, I’d have conversations with friends where I’d say, “Hold on a second,” and go into a quiet, wondering space for up to 30 seconds. My friend Chris often said something like, “Hup, there he goes,” and then my best friends would patiently wait for me (because they were my best friends). When I would return to real life, I would almost always have a question that would start like, “Why don’t we…” or “Do you think we could…” or “What if we…”.
As I got older, I realized that the “spacing out” thing was rude, or at least annoyingly aloof, so I’ve tried to cut it down to 5-10 seconds. But I see my daughter doing it sometimes, and even though it’s usually inconvenient to our conversation, it still makes me smile. The important part, for now, is that she snaps out of it with at least one question with which I can join her in wonder.
And now, in my first few months as Director of Community Life, I’ve really enjoyed the opportunity I’ve had to wonder, ask questions, and even “space out” a little with other people. It’s been like a lifelong dream.
Mark Nickodemus and I spent hours daydreaming about the possibilities of a rock-climbing program, and then we drove over to The Pad, and wondered with them, asking each other questions that started with “Why not…” and “What if…”. And now, almost every day of the week, small groups of SLOCA students are looking up at a climbing wall, with their own wondering questions.
I’ve also enjoyed wandering and wondering around campus with the new Safety Lead, Chrissy Ybarra, asking the students (and each other) all kinds of questions about how to make the school an even friendlier, safer, and more inspiring place of learning.
While scheduling the Friday Academy Classes and Clubs, Kristina Doles and I have asked each other at least 100 wondering questions, trying to devise the perfect enrichment classes for the sake of our students. Even at our busiest (and Kristina has been responsible for multiple projects), it was great that we still had time to “space out” for even ten seconds and wonder “What if?” and “Why not?”
The list goes on and on, especially when we include the leaders and the teachers, and all they wonder about for the good of the students. Best of all, I love the wondering questions posed by the students themselves, some who specifically want to produce their own musical (for example), and many others who generally want to make themselves better people.
Then, like all of us, it warms my heart to see SLOCA’s influence back at home. I love watching Ellie space out a little, asking us questions about her new thoughts, and making “I wonder” propositions about her own life.
And finally, it’s been great to see Ellie teach these habits to her younger brother, who is training for SLOCA under her tutelage. He is already an expert wonderer, and has started asking some good questions from his high chair at the dinner table. She’s also sharing with him her love of reading “great books,” an activity in which–as we all know–she’s afforded the chance to “space out” for as long as she wants–without testing the patience of anyone else in the room.
Thank you, Michael, for sharing with us today!
Much like Graham, let’s all aim for being an “expert wonderer” today. Have a thoughtful Thursday, everyone!
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