The salt and spice

I believe that the educators and organizers who work so hard and tirelessly to give their best deserve the real standing ovation. It is through their willingness and capacity to build healthy relationships with the children they teach and share with, that give the process its true power. In this deliciously well-prepared curry, all the ingredients are crucial: we have the pot (framework and philosophy), the rice (teaching and learning), the source and meat (rehearsing and making music together) and then most importantly, you have the salt and spice. It's the teachers that give the spice and flavor to this nourishing curry--for a curry would not be a curry if not for its spice!

Again and again, I become aware of the stark need in our society for change--our society is 'broken', our communities are 'broken', our homes and families are 'broken'...and subsequently our children are 'broken.' I am therefore compelled to act, to give myself permission to feel enough compassion to  be part of this needed transformation--in whichever form or capacity. I am excited about this mind-opening and intriguing journey that I have just begun to embark on--it feels like I am living life 'wide-open,' becoming unafraid as the need becomes greater than the fear of failure, realizing that I have a precious and beautiful gift to give: I can give hope and a sense of purpose to a disillusioned child, even in the face of adversity.

You are welcome to continue reading on my personal blog. 

Monique van Willingh
Sistema Fellow '13