#SOL16 Day 6
We’re All Works of Art in Progress ~ Carmen Delle Orefice
In my 7th grade religion class we often begin class with a three minute retreat sponsored by the publisher of our text, Loyola Press. A couple of weeks ago our retreat was entitled “A Work in Progress.” It really got me thinking about my students, others I meet each day, and myself. The premise of the retreat is that “there is more to life than the present moment”, that we need to “be patient with what feels incomplete”, and that as long as we cooperate with God’s plan we can be assured that He is at work in us and through us and His good work will continue.
Now whether you are a believer or not, the essential question is one we can all benefit from.
“What changes do I notice in myself when I remember that other people are also works in progress?”
Thinking about this question led me to questions of my own.
If I am a continuous work in progress, do I allow myself to be fluid?
How about my students or others I interact with?
Am I gentle with myself?
Am I always gentle with my students? My colleagues?
Are my thinking and beliefs too rigid to allow that change and growth?
How do I encourage that change and growth in my students?
What holds me back from accepting that change?
What is holding my students back?
Am I afraid? Are they?
So as I embark on this new week of school tomorrow I am going to keep that thought in my head, “We’re all Works of Art in Progress.” I am going to try very hard to be gentler with myself but more importantly with my students. When I look at each one of them I want to remember that the child/adolescent they are today is not who they will be tomorrow, or the next day, or a year from now, or ten years from now. My job is to help them find out a little bit more about the person they are today and help them evolve into the best person they can be as they continue working on their masterpieces.
Rita DiCarne 
Yes – your post makes me pause and reflect. Our students returned from a 3-day weekend today – I needed to be gentle with them, and in turn, they were gentle with me. Great perspective!
LikeLike
That we are all works in progress, that I am a work in progress is so important to remember. It helps us to be more accepting of ourselves and as a result others. The sentiment invites positive risk and change into our lives. On a Sunday night, going into the new week, thanks for this reminder.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rita, Great to see you yesterday. This is a beautiful post. We all need to be reminded that we are “works in progress”. When you spoke of your students, it reminded me of a quote from Maya Angelou. I don’t remember the whole thing, but it ends something like “people will always remember how you made them feel.” As a teacher, that is something I want to keep at the forefront of my mind. Thanks for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
These are wonderful lessons. I could hear this every day and still need to hear it again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a wise teacher you are, to know that we are all on the path. It is so easy to forget how fragile all of us are, no matter our age. How lovely to think of myself now as a work in progress: may it always be so!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great lessons to take from this reading. I think if we look at each other as works in progress we are more accepting. We realize we are all human and make mistakes because we are working toward bettering ourselves with God’s help. Thanks for sharing this resource. I will have to look it up. I hope you will share your great post on Literacy Musing Mondays this week. we go live at 6 p.m. on my blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for the invite to your blog chat. I will try to check it out. Is that 6:00 EST?
LikeLike
Your post makes me reflect on myself and my own actions. I think I will remember that “we are all works in progress” this week as well. I bet I’ll learn about myself and others. Thanks for stretching my thinking.
LikeLiked by 1 person