"Don't die with your music still in you!"
These were the closing words at a breakfast talk I went to this morning. Powerful and inspiring words from a wonderful man. Ian Berry spent his childhood being called stupid, and started his adult life believing he was stupid. But when a manager in a moment of weakness saw something in him and gave him a job, he started to realise that when his Nanna told him he was special, maybe she was right!
He used another quote from German culture "See man as he is, and he gets worse. But see man as he can be, and he gets better".
I think this applies to children as well. If we see them for who they are today, crying, having tantrums, not doing well at school, being picked on. It festers in our language, our emotions and our behaviour. But if we see the children for who they could become, well behaved, respectful, achieving in their strengths, enjoying life, then we change our language, we change our emotions and we change our behaviour.
Instead of focusing on the weaknesses and what they do wrong, we need to focus on their strengths, and what they do right. What they are good at, what they enjoy. Encourage them to follow their dreams and be the best they can be.
Find your heart song
Which is where I am heading. I have grown Learning that's Fun from a page where the only person looking was my Mum, into a great community of people sharing their love for learning and helping children enjoy their education. I've written a small book about my experiences and ideas for making learning fun...although if I knew then, what I know now, it would be a completely different story! I've made amazing connections with wonderful people everywhere. I've been able to run competitions and giveaways and help people build their collection of fun and educational toys and games at little cost. And I hope I've inspired some families to try new activities and create new traditions in their homes to spend more quality time together and have great fun family learning adventures together. But most of all, through Learning that's Fun, I've found my heart song. I've found the music in my soul that makes my heart tick to the beat of my drum, and my voice sings the melody of my calling in life.
While Learning that's Fun is the vehicle that has lead me there, LTF is not the destination.
The destination is my Blossom Connect. I suppose you could call it a reincarnation of Learning that's Fun, but directed straight at my local community. And not just in learning, but in all aspects of a child's life. But at the end of the day, every experience in a child's life is learning of some sort. Be it about their health, their well being, their friends, their personal time, their physical ability, their social skills, their life skills.
So today I'm announcing a break from Learning that's Fun. I can't continue to give this wonderful site the attention it deserves while focusing on a new venture. So from today there will be no new content on the website. And there will be very little activity on the Facebook page. But don't leave us. In the future who knows what could happen. From time to time myself or the other girls may still share a post from other sites or something we find that is really awesome. But there won't be any new content coming from us directly. Unless I happen to find someone willing to take it on, and give it the time and effort it truly deserves.
The book is still always available for purchase. And I'm always here to continue taking questions or helping with ideas when you get stuck.
For any of you in the Ballarat area (even out to Ballan, Maryborough, Bacchus Marsh & Daylesford) come on over and join us at Blossom Connect. Facebook & Website. Sign up to the newsletter for discounts and news on local businesses and what's happening around town.
Thank You & Goodbye (for now)
And also a very special thank you to everyone who has helped me along the way. You know who you are. I won't mention names individually because I would hate to forget someone. But look back through past posts and you will find them. Family, friends, complete strangers who have put their hand up to help out! Be it with editing, reading, coming up with ideas, donating items to giveaways, supporting me in many ways. You are all special and have helped to contribute to a great cause in the world.
Making learning fun, to help little buds blossom!
Now I take time to focus on the little buds of Ballarat. Blossom Connect.
Happy Learning.
Louise XXX
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