My boy returned from school on Friday following their weekly Lower Sixth lecture from ‘a man, mum, who talks about the same stuff as you,…maybe you’re not so weird after all.’
I worry at times (the down and self doubting times) that I’m not equipping my children for the hard slog of reality in this tough world. I know I’m someone who lives with their head in the clouds (some call it la la land), I know my feet are not often on the ground. I know I look for the positive in everything. And I know that irritates the hell out of some people as I watch them roll their eyes. I also know that it works for me (and others if they’d allow it). I’m used to and enjoy the gentle, playful mocking from my man and my kids.
So imagine my delight!
We sat down and he spoke to me about what he’d learned, what had inspired him and what had resonated deeply with him.
In brief, Maithri Goonetilleke, is the founder and executive director of the NGO Possible Dreams International (PDI), based in Australia and Swaziland. Their work involves delivering medical services and poverty alleviation programs to HIV/AIDS affected areas of rural Swaziland.
He was at my son’s school with The Possible Dreams International Choir who are touring the UK until the end of the month. They provide a place of hope for the homeless and orphans and victims of HIV in Swaziland. It is a choir of empowerment.
Maithri spoke to the boys about courage and commitment, goals and beliefs.
He encouraged them to believe that whatever obstacles they faced, whatever internal discouragement they felt or whatever external pressures they felt, that if they have a dream they must follow it no matter what. {click to tweet}
He said that whatever your aspiration or dream, there will be times when you encounter what feel like insurmountable hurdles. Every business, every new idea has faced these challenges.
“You must keep going,” he said, “Believe that you can overcome the problems you are facing.” This might be in your school work, your social life, your growing up, your emotional health, home life, thoughts for your future.
He urged the boys to create and picture their dream as strongly as possible. To visual it, to feel it, to get a sense of it as strongly as possible. To put it out there, to follow and chase every lead. And importantly to trust and know that what you put out will come back to you. It can’t not!
As with all great inspiring teachers my son felt he was speaking directly to him. There’s been a lot going on in our lives of late and my son has managed all this with extraordinary resilience and open-mindedness. New home, new school, new friends, new area, a lot in one go. Listening to Maithri he fully understood that we are all unique. Comparison with others is pointless. There will always be someone, who in our eyes is more intelligent, better connected, more socially at ease than us.
He encouraged the boys to understand that people and friends may discourage you (everyone seems to know what’s best for us) they will offer suggestions on what might be the better or safer option. Thank them for the advice and trust your own judgment anyway.
And this is where I got very excited! He also spoke about alignment. We might feel on our own and isolated at times, that no one knows what we’re going through or that we don’t have the resources to accomplish our dream alone. He spoke to them about aligning their personal dream with a larger community ideology. We are all in this together. No one is alone we are all connected.
So what can we do everyday to send these same messages to our children and the young people around us?
Ahem… That’s pretty much how I feel after a coaching session with you, my lovely Rebecca – inspired, motivated, ready to grab life by the horns and live it with my feet firmly in the clouds! X
You make me laugh out loud! I love that idea of feet firmly in the clouds!!!
Bless you!!
xx
Did you hear Tim Michin’s graduation speech? : you don’t have to have a dream…. and I found this quite refreshing, so did my son! I have always felt a bit “odd” as I never had a “burning dream or desire” , maybe too privileged (I have a roof over my head, food in front of me, and above all a loving family)… but I have always applied myself in what I have done and what I still do, with every thing I am – whatever that might be (still growing, moving forward, learning!) particularly when it involves people.
As Tim Michin says: you don’t know what is around the corner…so yes, have goals, little ones and concentrate on each tiny little goal. You don’t have to have big ones at all! Big ones can make you forget to live here and now. Commit to what you do , to what you are doing here and now. Have beliefs, but don’t be frightened to re visit your beliefs however deeply scary that might be!! And do trust you are in it with others… although “others” might not be who you think they are either…
lots of love xxx
Oh I like this a lot! I’ve heard of the speech and gone to watch it a couple of times but never managed to….I will today.
Thank you for posting and reminding us.
X
Dearest Rebecca and son,
Greetings from Australia! I was sent your words by a dear friend who came across them on the web. I’m deeply touched by your graciousness, warmth and wisdom. Please send me a mailing address so I might send you and your son a copy of my book. A little gift to honour our connection as you have gifted me today with your words.
In the spirit of human possibility and compassion,
Maithri
Dearest Maithri, what an absolute delight to hear from you and thank you for your kind words. It means a lot to me. You certainly fired up a young man at Watford Grammar and as a result his mother. I will send you an email shortly.
Kindest of regards
Rebecca