Stickers

 One of the things that has proved most rewarding to my students in The Nest actually surprised me a bit.

But it shouldn’t have.

We all like to have our efforts recognized. 

To measure our progress.

To shift the focus from our deficiencies to what we ARE accomplishing.

So when a visitor came to my classroom today and watched a group of teenagers, actively at work studiously completing their work and then getting up with a fist pump and audible “yeah” before adding a sticker to our new chart, she shook her head in wonder.

“These kids are in trouble?” she asked. 

“We are all in trouble at different times but these kids all needed some support in getting their assignments caught up and this is a great place to do that.”

“And they do this for a sticker?”

I smile.  “And someone saying well done, I believe in you.  Let’s find the tricky part and work on that together.”

“Amazing.”

I smile again.  

Because these kids WANT to do well.  

They want to be successful.  

And they aren’t perfect and we make lots of steps backwards.  

And then we listen and problem solve and work toward new solutions together.

And there is an inherent beauty in it that reflects the true message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Not the false ideal of superficial perfection, that can sometimes be falsely chased.

But the message echoed in one of my favorite addresses ever given.  

By Elder Uchtdorf.

“Dear sisters, many of you are endlessly compassionate and patient with the weaknesses of others. Please remember also to be compassionate and patient with yourself.

In the meantime, be thankful for all the small successes in your home, your family relationships, your education and livelihood, your Church participation and personal improvement. Like the forget-me-nots, these successes may seem tiny to you and they may go unnoticed by others, but God notices them and they are not small to Him. “

So whatever you WERE able  to bring  to the table today, give yourself a sticker.  

And add to the collective.  

Some days others will give more.

Some days you will seem to shine.

But in the end every finished assignment will matter.  

And look at those around you and help celebrate what they ARE doing well and right and you will be amazed at how much more efficient they are at tackling those weaknesses too!