I am writing from my ‘desk’ that has changed location a few  times over the past several months.  A few months ago I was working from South Africa (Johannesburg and Grahamstown) and now I am in the middle of the beautiful Somerset countryside.  From this present location, I have been moving from room to room and often several times throughout the day.  Like for so many of us, I am in constant search for the ‘best spot’ from which to work from – the criteria being heat and WiFi connectivity!

Whether working, in the classroom or a university student, there are many of us in a similar situations.  I am sharing a home with my children, parents and nephews.  We are all in need of our ‘spots’ and what I am currently witnessing is that the young are very good at just settling down and becoming focused as they tap into their google classrooms.  This is not such an easy task for me but I am learning from them.   

What I notice is that:

• Each day is strictly timetabled, as if at school – no debates, no discussion … just getting on with what needs to be done that day.  Work and learning is prioritised – and in a remarkably relaxed way.

• Though there is no formal sport, they are enjoying the freedom of very energetic and creative games.

• The chat amongst them and their friends is that this situation is what it is.  There is nothing that they can do to change things – so they are just embracing this other way of learning.  They know that there will be a time when they return to the classroom.  These young are living in the present!

• I see them ‘pushing on’ with their tasks until completion.  They are not entering into the chatter of distractions and frustrations.

• They are also enjoying the ‘joys’ of good home cooked food, close family time and having a dog at their feet during Latin and Maths.

I do not want to brush under the carpet the current difficulties, losses and uncertainties but I do want to appreciate the gentle resilience and adaptability that our young have.  It is a resilience that comes not from just gritty determination – but rather a resilience of gentle understanding and just getting on with what they can get on with today – and loving other and new possibilities of academic life!  

I have much to learn from this.  Less over thinking and worrying and and more just getting on with what I can get on with.  And, I  hope that you find a sense of peacefulness despite the turbulences and in a ‘spot’ from which you can get on and do what you need to do today that for you is worthwhile.