Lessons in Life

 
Loved this piece from today’s planning meeting the #2020YearOfPlenty Session tomorrow.
 
‘According to folklore if we can become quiet and attentive enough, we realise that trees can tells us many stories of wisdom and awareness that apply to our everyday lives. As silent teachers, trees have much to share, so take a walk in your favourite forest (maybe even try hugging a tree-last time I did that was at Newbattle Abbey College, I was with a group who wanted to see a very old tree) and open your heart and mind for lessons on life.
 
1.    Trees grow strong roots
Having strong roots helps us stay grounded, clear and focused-one to build our foundations for 2020 Adult Learning’s Year of Plenty.
 
2.    Develop healthy branches and leaves
Focusing on our personal growth first to develop strong roots and build our passions and dreams-let’s develop a national learning plan we can all share.
 
3.    Trees know their place in time and community
We all belong somewhere and trees give many animals and creatures a place to live building communities of people who can live together. Adult learning gives us the space to learn to live together.
 
4.    Learn from the past
What has happened in our past, and how it informs or forms our judgements can keep us there, but understanding it will help us prepare for the promise of the future. Adult learning helps us embrace the past (no matter how bad or good) and work with it.
 
5.    Nothing is wasted
Everything has a purpose; debris and dead plants become soil for new seeds to sprout on, new plants become food for another creature that fertilizes other plants, in adult learning our learning isn’t wasted either-it doesn’t matter what we learn.
 
6.    You're stronger than you think you are
Strength can come in many forms, and adult learning teaches us many things that prepare us to be strong.
 
7.    Be yourself
A tree is a tree and I am me-who else can I be, adult learning helps me become myself.’