Wise Words (#btbc16 & #sol)

I love quotes. It always seems that they encompass exactly what I want to say, but more eloquently. They help me express my own beliefs more adequately.  This is why my classroom is covered in quotes: in hopes that my students will feel the same way.

While the quotes in my room range from funny or sarcastic to deep or thought provoking, today I want to share three of my absolute favorites.

• “Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.”
  • This quote comes from Ghandi and I love it for two reasons. First, the message is perfect. It’s not about being physically strong (most of the time), but about not giving up.  Second, this quote was taped to my door on the morning of my first half marathon.  It was an amazing little reminder to wake up to, especially for a slow poke runner who was nervous as all get out.
• “If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.” 
  • Of course the Dalai Lama has to make it on my list along with Ghandi (these folks really have a way with words, am I right?).  This is a perfect quote for teaching, in my opinion.  Some days it’s hard not to lash out at kids for being ridiculous, annoying, irresponsible, etc.  But then I remind myself that for my own happiness and for theirs, I must serve with compassion.  I must consider where my students are coming from, what they’re suffering from, and how they’re equipped to deal (or not) with whatever comes their way.
• “The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you. They are unique manifestations of the human spirit.” 
  • From Wade Davis, we are reminded that other cultures deserve respect.  I often use this to remind kids that just because we don’t understand something, it doesn’t make it wrong (or stupid, or weird, or you get the picture).  I’ve taught IB on and off for the past few years, and the message of this quote really penetrates that whole program, which is one of the reasons I enjoy teaching the classes.  The kids come from so many different countries, cultures and backgrounds, but I’ve never seen a more cohesive group.  It’s amazing to see. I think if everyone believed this and lived by it, we’d be a lot better off.

My list of favorite quotes is ridiculously long, but these are the three that I believe most closely resemble my personal philosophies.  These are the three that I always come back to as a reminder of what I believe and why I believe it.

What are your favorites?