Adventures in Tutoring Daily Challenge – Day 4

I know this post is a little late getting out to everyone today. I apologize. I have a few days like this, where my posting won’t get out until later in the day. But that’s okay, I’m committed to being here (even if it’s a little late).

Just so you know — I’m freshly typing up these posts each day. On the day. No creating a bunch of them in advance and scheduling them out. You’re getting what’s top of the mind for that day. And, I like doing it this way, because it feels more authentic to me. It feels like I’m having an in-the-moment conversation with you (minus the back-and-forth interaction part of the conversation, unfortunately). But, it feels more “REAL” if that makes sense.

So, this is why I may have some days that bring me to the blog a little late, depending on what I have going on that day. And let me just tell you now. I spent the last 24 hours plus in deep reflection on how to get better about a lot of different things in my life.

I think it’s great to reflect on and contemplate life’s journeys past, present, and future. But, I was, more so, concentrating on my past actions and thinking about how they’ve brought me to where I am now. Then, I was going further in thinking about where I want to be and the person I need to be to realize the future I’d like to see for myself — in all the facets of my life.

Now, because this is a tutoring daily challenge, I’ll just go into the tutoring side of things very briefly.

I’ve discussed the very real truth that “WORDS HAVE POWER,” because I know this to be true. Not just from reading about this very thing in the Bible, but I’ve seen it played out in real life, too.

As a blogger, writer, and reading tutor, this statement means even more to me than if I wasn’t in a place where I can influence people (people I may never get to be in the presence of) with my words. I don’t take it lightly that I function in realms where I can inspire, motivate, encourage, support, inform, educate, and all the good stuff. But, if I use the different “word” roles I hold to do the opposite, I could really hurt people.

So, I aim to be on the side of “right” when it comes to using my written words for my roles, such as blogger and newsletter writer, and when using my verbal words when it comes to working with the children I tutor and mentor.

Young and impressionable minds are so precious. They are moldable and mendable and rely on guidance from the adults they trust. That’s why it’s so incredibly difficult for me to understand how adults can tarnish the trust children have in them by verbally abusing them — using their words to tear children down.

Just can’t understand it!

And if we know that words have power, then we must know that the words we tell our children can create certain scenarios in their lives — good or bad.

How can we expect positive outcomes with our influence, interaction, and instruction with children, if we’re pouring into them words of negativity? 

So, I hold myself to a really high standard when it comes to how I influence, interact, and instruct children. Anyone who holds a position working with children should and must. And, believe me when I say, OUR WORDS MATTER to those children. They can easily internalize the verbal utterances they hear — for the good or for the bad.

There’s just so much to say on this topic.

And, I could say more about this topic. In fact, I plan on doing so next week if possible. Because I’m petering out with the blogging right now. So, I’m going to call it quits for the day. I had a late start for today’s blog post. And one thing I’ve come to learn is that my 50+ year-old mind winds down at a certain time of the day. My most creative work is best done when it’s morning/early afternoon.

It used to be that I could bask in my creative prowess morning, noon, or night. But, some things have changed as I’ve gotten older. And, I know my limitations. So, let me get back to you on this topic of “words mattering” when I’m refreshed and functioning on all cylinders — revved up and rearin’ to go. 

My plan is to hopefully be back for day 5 on Monday with a continuation to this part 1 blog post. The challenge continues . . .