Red Woods and Yellow Daisies #30

 Tall Sequoia's grow tall and strong, because they bend with the wind. Their priority, survival. Their design, sustainability. Rigidity, can cause them to crack and cleft. Yet, flexibility allows them to crook and arc, wobble and teeter, when necessary.

It's impulse is to photosynthesize, germinate and cultivate, a niche for itself. Stimuli are constant: water, light, temperature, touch. A continual response system allows these successful plants, to anticipate, propagate and reciprocate with ease.

They have endured climate change, deforestation and attack from local flora and fauna- but, they remain, steadfast, deep rooted and towering over the younger, more vulnerable greenery. It is all about stamina and perseverance.

Red Woods or Daisies- fauna is meant to endure, even the harshest of climates. We as human's have the same design.

Impulse and stimulus, for us Homo sapiens, will only take us so far. It will spark curiosity, increase enthusiasm, cause engrossment and attentiveness, but it will be temporary, if the allegiance and adherence is waning. It is one thing to have skill, it is another, to have a steady stream of devotion, dedication and duty.

Time is our biggest obstacle. An unavoidable barrier to fulfilling, every one, of our interests. We can't be in two places at once, therefore we have to set priorities. Now a days we are quarantined- yet we still are trying to do everything we can. We have to have a schedule.

Our fatigue and unrelenting pressure is mounting. Students have this same pressure placed by parents, as well as themselves, and even with 'distancing' things are beginning to become more  taxing on them. We have to let kids be kids. We have to lighten the load.

They need to know that they have an escape route. That they can choose to wean themselves off, of so many investments.Time is precious and children need quiet time, reflection time, and family time. We need to find a way to challenge our children, but still let them have fun and just play.

We have to have limits. Their brains have to have a shut down mode- a sleep mode. As parents that needs to be our priority. As educators we need to make sure the focus is on growth not grades. Learning not requirements. This time is stressful for all of us. Let the Red Woods stand tall and the daisies have their space. We all have our 'best effort.' We all have our better judgment- let's use it and make sure every child is thriving.