by: Maria Corse


Sometimes options seem closed to us because others have pre-determined all the points and conditions of accessibility before we even show up. Other opportunities, however, only appear to be locked because of our own fears, inhibitions, and feelings of inadequacy.


The good news is that all these circumstances can be overcome, maybe not easily, but with a commitment to taking charge, learning, and growing, as well as a caring support system it is highly possible.


All of us have felt powerless or incompetent at some point in our lives. I will argue that devoting ourselves to learning about the particular subject, theme, law, or constraint that is holding us back from opening a door offers an immediate sense of empowerment. Positive action, indeed, is far more potent than apathy.


Most Deep Root Center students have recently experienced a slammed, locked, barred, and guarded door; that is why they came to DRC in the first place, and, many don't immediately understand the inherent freedom and responsibility that inhabits the philosophy of self-directed learning, because, until now, it has not been part of their personal experience.


The DRC staff's highest priority those first few months, therefore, is mentoring, advising, and counseling all new student members to take charge of their own education with our encouragement and guidance. They are urged to relax, explore social relationships, and to play. They are also offered multiple opportunities to discover their passions and interests and to talk about their anxieties and inhibitions.


I don't think any of us realize how deeply anxiety affects our youth. They fear things like: being socially ostracized, being bullied, not fitting in, being themselves, being dumb, being alone, violence, drugs, the state of the world, their future, and so on. The list is as endless as it is for every single adult reading this.


I recently started following Elizabeth Gilbert's blog. She is the author of the mega popular hit Eat, Pray, Love. Her posts often touch on the topic of fear and how to acknowledge it without allowing it to drive your actions or inactions, for that matter.


Another follower of her blog had her 5th grade students paint a wooden chair a solid color and then had them each write, with paint, the thing they are most afraid of directly onto the chair. The seat now resides, alone, in the corner of her classroom as a physical, hands-on reminder that we are all in the driver's seat of our lives, fear is not.


This inspiring project is on the agenda for this coming week at Deep Root Center. We, of course, will create it with our unique DRC spin, with the perfect chair which has already been deemed impotent by a cracked seat and a few missing screws, using chalkboard paint for the background and chalk to write all of our worries. This will be a truly current representation of all of our fears, where the concerns can be erased and new ones added as they rise to the forefront of our consciousness.


The next time you visit DRC, you are welcome to acknowledge the “fear” chair sitting in the corner, but then move on to delight in the beehive of affirming activity that our open, unlocked doors and attitudes provoke.

DRC NEWS

Deep Root Center will be back in session, after this much appreciated Spring Break, Tuesday, March 29th, when we will begin our final ten weeks of this academic year!


Membership

We are currently meeting with interested families and are accepting new applications for the 16/17 academic year. If you know of someone who may be interested in learning more about our unique approach to education, please pass our information on. I can envision that we will be at, or very close to full capacity this September.


Summer Workshops

We will be planning the DRC Summer Workshop schedule very soon. If you have ideas for weeklong themed workshops that you (a friend or acquaintance) would be interested in facilitating please get in touch.
​

,… are specifically designed to either keep things in or --- out. Imagine the task of moving a whole household without cartons. Now picture raising baby pigs (goats, sheep, cows, horses, emu, etc) without some kind of fence. These devices, when used for these and other practical purposes, make certain missions eminently possible.


I believe, however, that beyond these utilitarian applications, boxes and fences are nothing more than deterrents, barriers, and hurdles to creativity, imagination, self – motivation, productivity, community, collaboration, kindness, and compassion.


The expressions “boxed or fenced in” are ultra-visual metaphors that have an immediate visceral impact which automatically brings recognition of the frustration and fury that are implicit in those statements.


When people are contained, restrained, or coerced, depending upon the individual, they will either naturally respond by lashing out in anger and hurting others or with resignation and acceptance. And, I think we can all agree that neither of those reactions are healthy for that soul or for society at large.


Fear of the unknown or of censure is often times offered as a defense for constraint. Providing the freedom, nonetheless, to choose from a whole world of diverse opportunities, options, and alternatives allows intrinsic motivation to drive independent thought, passion, and vision to determine each beings path. This liberty of self-determination, however, requires the counter-balance of dependability and responsibility, otherwise, un-mentored autonomy can lead to narcissistic entitlement.


This narrow divide between the two extremes of empathetic, engaged, and community minded human and, well, to put it quite plainly --- brat, can only be traversed with love, kindness, trust, respect, resources, expectations, and unflagging support.


Use boxes and fences for those things that need to be contained or kept safe from predators. Then let go of anxiety and allow the humans in your life to explore the possibilities freely, with steadfast guidance and encouragement, to generate and envision new concepts and plans for a positive future.

*This post, as always, has been inspired by the youth I spend my days with. I appreciate them all for their openness to new ideas and their awesome ability to remind me to be accepting of the many different ways of being. I am newly grateful for their wisdom every single day.

DRC NEWS
Spring Break
Deep Root Center will be closed for a much needed Spring Break from March 18 – 28. We will be back in session Tuesday, March 29th. Safe travels to all who are venturing beyond the confines of the NoCo.

Wanted:
The list has expanded a bit. If you would be willing to donate any of the following items, please get in touch.

​chairs (any kind)
lego table
bookshelves
lockers or cubbies
shelf braces
wooden planks to use as shelving
laptops, desk top, or tablets (We would like to spend time with the hardware, before accepting, to determine if it would be functional for our uses. We will only accept items that have supportable operating systems – Apple or Windows- or the ability to upgrade to a more recent OS.)

Deep Root Center (Whole Learners, Inc.) is a 501(c)3 NYS not for profit charitable organization. If needed or desired, we would gratefully provide you with a letter stating your contribution to Deep Root Center.

Thank You!