The last time I had this class it was a disaster. They were unruly and did not treat me with dignity at all. Since the principal and their teacher were in the building, I summoned them to the classroom to hear what I had to say to the students. All in all it was an unpleasant scene.
Today I had them again.
I could have gone into the classroom dragging along every memory of that day a few weeks ago. But I didn’t.
First, I asked myself if I had forgiven them. If I had, then the slate was wiped clean.
Second, I asked myself what good would it do me to drag along this baggage from the past. There was no advantage, so I chose to start fresh with them again this time.
When they entered the classroom, they were met with a teacher who felt positive. I told them that I felt really good today.
The result was a complete turnaround of the class. They were rather shocked that I felt so positive towards them. Rather than be defensive, I was offensive with lots of praise. They responded in a positive way, too.
Most people have somebody in their lives who bugs them. They are thorns in their sides. Often the strategy is to avoid that person. Inevitably they must be faced again.
Rather than dragging along past emotions, why not start fresh? Wipe that slate clean. Holding on to the past really won’t accomplish very much. The only thing you have to assure yourself is that you won’t tolerate the same behaviour that you experienced before. If you are positive about the situation, then that is a good start to accomplish just that.
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