Mark Towers, a motivational speaker and author from Speak Out Seminars of Southlake, Texas, led educational sessions in the Jefferson City Public School District on Aug. 12-13.
His most extensive presentation was on Aug. 13 with teachers and administrators who work with grades 9-12.
Towers has an inspiring presentation that features stories, meaningful quotations, and occasional feats of magic. He has spoken throughout the United States and in countries abroad. During his presentation with JCPS staff, he emphasized a positive approach to teaching and to all of life. Here are some of the thoughts I found especially noteworthy and why.
Gratefulness is crucial. Towers asked administrators what the opposite of being negative is, and we naturally responded positive. "No," he said. "The opposite of negative is being grateful." I've thought about that many times. To be thankful for what we have is to cease to be negative or to complain. Towers later spoke of how we handle ourselves at work, even when things do not go as well as we would hope. "Let's be grateful for what we can do," he said. Indeed we should. Every day and every challenge is an opportunity.
No matter how difficult things may go on any given day, we face a point where we can start over. Towers told a story about how a parent told his daughter each day, "It's not just another day but another chance." If you are looking for an excellent quote to post on the bathroom mirror to view at the start of each day, that's a good one to consider.
We have a choice about how we react to difficulties. Towers said if we are going to respond positively, there are three choices that can be embraced. He said we can be in a state of acceptance, a state of enjoyment, or a state of enthusiasm when we are dealing with issues. He said if you aren't in one of those states of mind then you are creating suffering for others. At this point, perhaps you should go back to the beginning of the paragraph and read that again. Let it sink in. If something bad happens we need to learn how to accept it, learn how to enjoy life given our circumstances, or learn how to approach things with enthusiasm. Any other response on our part could hurt those around us.
I am extremely grateful that Mr. Towers came our way and shared an uplifting presentation. There isn't a better way to start the school year than with a healthy mindset in all that we do.
David Wilson, EdD, is the associate principal at Jefferson City High School. You may e-mail him at [email protected].