Pondering the Tao of Pooh

Humanity was not created with the ability to live as a busybackson.
No, we were created to be human, to give ourselves time to take in what's around us while we're doing "nothing," which in fact is very important to do.

How nice, I should be reading a book such as the Tao of Pooh on a day I spend alone.  The very first, I'm sure, that I have ever spent completely by myself, without any human interaction.  (Excluding the drunks I encountered at the river) And, though sometimes scary, particularly at night, it is something I think we should try to do more often to learn about ourselves and give us some time to think and to grasp what's around us.  A full day.

Funny though, it doesn't seem like anything is really any clearer now, but it might be more so than I think.  Maybe I'll notice it as the week progresses.  I did notice, though, that I felt less like I belonged here this week, since it felt like I wasn't doing a whole lot to make a difference.  It was the first week I was a casual substitute here, there and everywhere.  I was supposed to be in a French class, but since I'm not a Francophone, they had someone else fill in. I wasn't happy about it, and I informed the vice principal, but I should've spoken sooner rather than gone off to play.  The days pass quickly though.
I can't just be a casual sub everyday, I've decided.  I need something that grounds me, that makes a difference somehow.  I've been thinking a lot about how the kids have no quiet space, nowhere to do their homework.  They're seeing opportunity nowhere.

So I'm going to get some people on board to open up the library, lunches, after school, weekends. People talk about it, but it seems that no one wants to do anything about it, or at least initiate it.  It seems to me that a lot of things are like this here in Chisasibi.  So many know what they think should be done to better some situations, but few take action to make these changes.  Initiation is what's needed. And motivation. They have the resources, the people power, even the money.  They just need motivation.

With a couple initiators, more people will see that opportunity is now here (I know, this is becoming Cliche since I've used it a lot, but it fits, I think!)  And I think that might just inspire that energy they need.  Mind you, this has to be a collective effort, that will spread through the whole community.  So let's start with something small that can make a really big difference for many if taken advantage of.

So let's make it happen.

"I admire you," I said to Michelle after noticing how she always makes sure of things before doing it, by calling first or what have you. "you're so well-prepared!  I guess I usually just dive into things and if it doesn't work out, I guess I just figure something else will."
"Just like Pooh!" she says.

Maybe I incorporate more Pooh in me than I know. "go with the flow," I call it.  But sometimes, when the flow is a little wonky, someone has use it's energy and softly push it in a positive direction. 

So I incorporate a little simple Pooh in my life, and I think things will be better.

"What's black and white and red all over?"
"A sunburned penguin." -Pooh :)