Anais Nin once said:We do not grow absolutely, chronologically. We grow sometimes in one dimension, and not in another; unevenly. We grow partially. We are relative. We are mature in one realm, childish in another. The past, present, and future mingle and pull us backward, forward, or fix us in the present. We are made up of layers, cells, constellations.
Thoughts are ebbing and flowing this week. I hesitate to write because try as I may, I know that there is no possible way that I could capture and house them in words. Instead I have stood as the silent observer and just let them be, as they are with no interruption. My whole life has been a flux of change and yet very noticeably I can see the catalyst was Mike in the last twelve years. There are some marriages dog eared by stagnation, but that has been not the case here. He has considerably let me evolve and change as I needed. Young marriage can be reckless and irresponsible, ours was marked by growth and evolution albeit religion, education, or lifestyle. Unschooling our children has just been one more brick in the road.
It is incredible how one small decision can bring about so much change. In many ways unschooling has brought about more change in me than in my children. It made me really look at the moment infinitesimally. Examine it closely, and truly be there. Active learning is a truly present activity. More than that though; I have become a better mother, a more avid listener, and more conscious of the people around me. Does this happen to everyone when they take the unschool plunge? Maybe yes….maybe no, perhaps if the chance is given and accepted for what it is. It is a lifestyle change not an educational choice. A year ago I could chatter off a list of things that I thought my kids would like and now I can tell you in great detail what they love and why. I can describe infallibly their weaknesses and with great enthusiasm their strengths and their abilities. The shifts in perception have been subtle, none the less they are there in multitude.
I know now why record keeping has been so hard for me. When does learning begin and when does it end? There is no way to pinpoint a beginning and an end because there simply isn’t one. Life is constantly being lived and lessons are constantly being learned. Is there more “structure” sometimes? Sure. Other times we are free to become whatever we need to be, whatever the moment calls for. Life is in constant flux and we are here and now and nothing more.
Filed under: OMG, you Unschool!, Uncategorized Because I am Indecisive | Tagged: in the flux, unschooling our lives
[...] More… « New: Ourschool eu Forum | [...]
Hi Sheri,
I enjoyed reading this, and it’s always a pleasure when those who understand what learning is and how it works, speak up and are not confused by terms which can sound like they mean learning freedom, but are often “nicer” forms of control.
I have posted an excerpt from this on The Learning Freely Network
YES! That’s it for us too. That’s why I consider our daily blog as our record.
Not that we are yet required to have anything……
I read this a few days ago when you wrote it, but didn’t comment.
You know what I like about it most? (after thinking about it for a few days.)
Is the acceptance of all parts of yourself and the children in the process.
Not judging, not grading the moments, not expecting that all moments should be this or that.
It’s the acceptance of all the people and all the circumstances.
That’s a really great place to be in.
Love, Steph
Kent~ Thank you, you have made my day.
MP~It’s just one more moment of letting go. I wish that I had started when my kids were younger.
Steph~It is indeed a quiet breath of release and contentment. What more could I ask for.