Idealism

"Idealism is having a vision of what is possible and wanting to make a difference. It is caring passionately about what is meaningful in life. Idealists see things as they could be and have faith in the power of change. We put our principles into practice. We don't just accept things the way we are. We dare to have big dreams and then act as if they are possible. Idealism doesn't mean that we are idle dreamers. Idle dreamers just wish things were better. Idealists do something to make things better. We make the ideal real."

-excerpted with permission from Virtues Reflection Cards by Linda Kavelin Popov. http://www.virtuesproject.com/uscart/browse.html

September brings new beginnings for students, teachers, and parents. Young children are full of enthusiasm, excitement, and sometimes trepidation about going to school. What will I learn, who will my friends be, will my teacher be kind and caring? The year is full of possibilities, for teachers and parents as well. We have big dreams for reaching every child, knowing that the possibilities for learning are there. How can we as parents and educators help our children strive for the ideal, being the best they can be? How can we use our courage, purposefulness, creativity and determination to reach for our best as teachers, parents or students?

Questions for reflection:

1. What are my ideals?

2. What dreams do I have?

3. What plan do I need to put in place to accomplish the ideal?

4. How can I use purposefulness and determination to make the ideal real?