John Daffurn / The learning begins

What a glorious day, the clear blues skies showed Knoydart off at its best.  It is great to get some quality time to get to know people and myself too!  Our lecture around Maslow’s hierarchy has really got me thinking about what we really need and how much we are influenced by media, branding and peer pressure.

In this beautiful peaceful setting, where you can literally hear the leaves fall, it is easy to have ‘thinking time’ and how important it is too; I can hardly believe what has come up for me today.  Time to do nothing but think, what a crucial part of life and yet one that I suspect most people don’t afford themselves.  I realised a long time ago how short sighted it is not to build in the luxury of time to reflect; why in general do we not do it?  Why do we often put it at the bottom of our ‘to do’ list if in fact it is there at all?  Are we a nation who doesn’t appreciate the benefits of it as we bury ourselves in consumerism or are we a nation who doesn’t know how to do it?  I know, and have seen, the major impact that the process of reflection has both personally and professionally on the colleagues I work with on the Flexible Route to Headship programme. I am however today also aware of the added dimension for me of that reflecting time being done in a very peaceful setting.  I wonder how my colleagues would be influenced by an experience like Knoydart, what might it add to the programme?

I am remembering when as a Depute Head Teacher  I gave a talk at my year group assembly about the power of reflection and suggested that we had a few minutes to reflect at the assembly.  I also remember actually saying to the pupils that they probably thought I was mad, certainly that is what the look on many of their faces was telling me.  I wonder if any of them remember that assembly, I wonder if it made any difference.  Why don’t I know?

Enough for one night, I can hardly contain myself as time approaches for yet another vegetarian experience!