I Can See Clearly Now...

...the rain is gone. I can see all obstacles in my way...

Watch the video by the amazing Jimmy Cliff

Mere Mortals?

It’s amazing what a few weeks away can do to illuminate the big issues in life. I have spent time with family, friends, colleagues and strangers (though strangers no more) in many locations. As C.S. Lewis put it:

 “It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. All day long we are, in some degree helping each other to one or the other of these destinations. It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and the circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all of our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics. There are no ordinary people. You have never talked to a mere mortal. Nations, cultures, arts, civilizations – these are mortal, and their life is to ours as the life of a gnat. But it is immortals whom we joke with, work with, marry, snub, and exploit – immortal horrors or everlasting splendors.”

― C.S. Lewis, The Weight of Glory

And speaking of big issues, this edition of Forza is a tad longer given my hiatus of a few weeks (but hopefully a quick read, still) so buckle up. I invite you to join me in making sense out of some things. Comments are on for this issue. Let’s roll!  

A Truly Valiant Effort 

I cannot talk enough about and with the leadership of Valiant Cross, whose co-founder and headmaster Anthony Brock truly embodies Lewis’ vision of why we are here. To say that the story of he and his brother, Fred, their accomplishments in providing an outstanding and unparalleled education for young men in their community and their ambitions and growth trajectory are a model for all is an understatement.

Watch the podcast we did with preeminent innovator Michael Horn and read the Wall Street Journal piece for even more insights into what makes theirs a truly valiant effort.

Valiant Persistence Leads to Happiness

June is always such a happy time for most. Thousands of graduations that have spanned the last several weeks, others stepping up to the next grade, parents thankful for a break but daunted by filling summer months and knowing that it’s only a few short weeks away until they need to rinse, wash and repeat the process all over.

To those who finish, we know that persistence is a vital link to success in life; persistence - no  matter what age - in finishing what you started. Notwithstanding the pomp and circumstance the graduates deserve, know that work is hard. Very hard. And work can’t make you happy. It takes work - and productive engagement - to make you happy.

Happiness guro, research scientist, Dr. Arthur Brooks argues that we don’t teach fundamental skills necessary to succeed and be happy in work.

“Learning how to experience your emotions, not as they’re delivered to you, but in the prefrontal cortex of your brain so that you can decide how to react, substitute emotions, and even disregard the emotions, but on purpose. That’s a specific set of techniques called metacognition that I walk through based on cutting-edge neuroscience. Anybody can do it.

Harvard Prof and Happiness guru Arthur Brooks

“The problem is, we don’t teach kids to do this. We don’t teach business people to do this.

“…if you’re unhappy at work, you’re probably unhappy in life. It’s simple. I mean, it’s like nobody works an hour a day. 

“The truth of the matter is that there are really a portfolio of four things that go into having a truly happy life, and they need to be in both, in abundance and in balance.

“Number one is faith and philosophy, whether it’s religious or not religious, it has to be something that zooms you out on the majesty of life and makes you small so that you have yourself in perspective. You’re going to have peace.

“Second, you’ve got to be paying serious attention to your family relationship. No joke, family relationships are the most mystical kind of love, and you can’t substitute anything for them…”

Hard to practice but important to preach nonetheless. And most importantly, we should be teaching this to students, as they embark on their next educational or career journey.

Run This Town

Rapper & entrepreneur Jay-Z wants to help kids in cities like Philly Run Their Town, pursuing education opportunity with his characteristic zeal by putting his Roc Nation behind a proposal, once supported by PA Democrat Governor Josh Shapiro, to provide the lowest income students with hope - and scholarships - "to empower the youth and families with the knowledge to pursue their scholastic dreams, make their voices heard and become the leaders of tomorrow.”

There’s been little in the way of recognition or praise by most typical media outlets. If Jay-Z had committed a crime they’d be all over it, but coming out to support kids? Nah… not news. Ridiculous. Then there are articles like this one from the once revered Associated Press no less, that makes the initiative sound strange, controversial. Education opportunity controversial because it fails to support the status quo?

Jay-Z is the biggest celebrity in a while to champion education freedom for the least advantaged, those who get stuck in failing schools like those he endured in Brooklyn and which most poor kids still have no choice but to attend. Failing schools would contribute to his own decline before reforming himself and now he’s in a position to preempt others from the youth he endured.

And yet some just want to critique the famous rapper for his noble efforts to transcend politics and get a policy put in place to in a state who kids are in desperate need. I shouldn’t be shocked after 35 years +++ doing this work… but I’m an eternal optimist.

Speaking of Optimists…

An early and accomplished advocate for unconventional schooling - beginning with being the second employee of one of the first online education companies in the nation - is publishing a book. Mickey Revenaugh has worked through every major education effort and upheaval alongside educators to bring research and credibility to home-based education and the ongoing evidence of success it provides for a wide variety of students. Could not be more excited for this pioneer and the public that gets to read her book next year! 

I Saw Clearly Then, Too

But then, the young are usually very foolish. My good friend Rob Kremer shared this picture the other day. “Look at this. I was going through a bunch of stored stuff and found some pics from the 1999 dinner you came out to keynote after we got the charter law passed.”

Rob led the charge in Oregon, the most intransigent of states for education reform, to adopt a charter law. It was big stuff, back then, even though it was modest and hasn’t moved very much subsequently. Nevertheless, hope, and persistence carried the day.

Hope, Pray and Don’t Worry!

Padre Pio’s famous line is a must, no matter what flavor of spirituality you ascribe to. It’s easier said than done, but the phrase, and the Saint who boasted it, is a good friend to millions. Look him up. He’s handy to have around.

Wishing you the happiest of summers… and throughout all your efforts.  - Jeanne