I like to see things at times, from the view point of a Musical Production. Whether the production be a musical, play, dance, choral concert, band concert, etc etc etc. The imagery of a musical production is quite pleasing to me, primarily because I'm a Musician and Music Teacher. However, there are some other reasons why I like this imagery or "lens" at which to look at circumstances in life.
A passion of mine is teaching children about living a life of faith and being a person who seeks the greater good for the community they live in, and ultimately our global community. I teach this through my music lessons, my Sunday School classes, or in the public school I work at during the school year.
One of the things that has always fascinated me, as a teacher, is how kids (even adults) react differently to how, where, when, or why you say/do something in the classroom. One of the challenging parts of being a teacher, is having to help a child (teen, young adult, or adult) understand why their behavior is not acceptable for whatever reason. The reason why this is challenging is due to the fact that as teachers, we often have this mentality of "because I said so." or "I am in charge." This is not really the best way to go about reprimanding a student in our modern times. My reasoning for this statement is due to the fact that I have seen how the children of this generation, are more attentive to using your words against you and are keen to question you. They do not do it for the sake of being rude but because they have an honest desire to know "why?". So back to the Musical Production idea. In a production, lets say Musical; there are many components. A Musical requires actors, musicians, a director, stage manager, artistic director, scenery, lights, etc etc etc. Well in order to make a musical "function", we must take the actors and essentially, "build a functioning production, through their 'dysfunction'". Let me clarify what I mean by this phrase, which is the basis of this reflection. Every actor has their own interpretation of a script and of their individual part; however, until each actor gets together and rehearses, each part is in complete "dysfunction". This is means it has no meaning or purpose, it's just words on a page. But as you come to know your part through rehearsing or interacting with the other parts of the musical, the production starts to "function". This means that their part is starting to make sense in the context of the musical which eventually will help to make the entire show come together, thus a great show happens! I think this is how students should be approached when they have done or said something unacceptable. Do not try to put a student into a conventional box. What I mean by that is, do not put them in the box that is labeled "everyone in the world behaves like this so you have to also". A student (especially a child or teen) will not appreciate that and that approach to reprimanding a student will back fire 9 times out of 10. So using this "lens" what a teacher or even a counselor at a rehabilitation center for alcoholics, drug addicts, etc etc. should do is be a "Director". Just like a Director of a Musical, we should understand the other person for who they are, worts and all, then use that "dysfunction" as the fuel to create a "conventional box" for them. So essentially, you are modeling them to think, speak, or behave in a certain way, by allowing them to understand why they reacted in their particular way then letting them (through your prompting, encouragement, and challenging) to create for themselves, their own means to the end that you desire them to be at. A good Director can point and instruct an actor, how to properly execute a particular part in a scene, but thats all they can do. The actor then must take their instruction and manifest it through their own filter and in the end form a box that they can label as "conventional" for them and you can also because it qualifies as a means to the end that you have been hoping for since the beginning.
Hope this reflection feeds your spirit and helps to model you into truly understanding how your dysfunction can play a huge part in making this world a functional production.
Peace and love sent your way! I'm praying for you always!
Jerry
P.S. See link below, for a beautiful article about Brother Bill Tomes. Bro. Bill really exemplifies this reflection in his ministry as a Charismatic Catholic who ministers to inner-city gangs in chicago. He ministers through means of nonviolent resolution to gang violence and being a witness to love through standing in the middle of gang fights.
http://www.chicagoreader.com/chicago/grant-picks-people/Content?oid=1213016
No comments:
Post a Comment