deeprootcenter
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • Consultations
    • Summer Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
  • Get Involved
    • Funding Appeal 2022
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
  • Blog

Explore the Possibilities with Us

Donate

Inspiration

7/12/2020

0 Comments

 
Where do you get your inspiration?  Does it fly in unexpectedly - seemingly out of nowhere, or do you know, exactly, what circumstances will instigate it?  No matter how it works for you, I think we can all agree that we can only be (feel) inspired when we are free -  free from overwhelming anxiety, frustration, confusion, and pressure. 

My inspiring moments often come in a flash - usually through a conversation, or an image, or sometimes just a word.  I frequently joke that I have to have water pouring over my head for ideas to take shape.  I seriously do my best thinking in the shower.  When we moved to our off-grid home fifteen years ago, it turned out the joke was on me. I am, to this day, constrained to short showers, or else I have to hand-pump a ton of water into the holding tank. That is when I discovered that once I get the original notion of an idea, action precipitates creativity.  Simply placing my fingers on the keyboard generates a flow of words.  The pure joy of producing something out of blank space motivates me to do more. 
Picture
This is a series of social media posts, that I created this past week. They were inspired by photos I took in my yard.


I will admit there are times when I become overwhelmed with feelings of frustration and anxiety because I am forcing myself to be cleverly creative, or I feel pressured because someone is expecting me to complete something. That is the point when I quit - at least for a time until I have decompressed enough for ideas to flow, and I can get excited about the project again.

Any time I talk about self-directed learning, this is the exact point where the conversation circles back to motivation.  "How do we, as humans, gain the ability to self-motivate?"  "Can it be taught?"  "What does intrinsic motivation look like?"  "Is it OK to quit?"  "But, what if my kid will only do something when I compel them to do it?"

I think the easy answer to all of the questions is joy.  We want to do things because we are interested in them, and it satisfies us or makes us happy.  Yes - as many point out - that even includes those things that most of us don't like.  I hate cleaning my house, washing the dishes, and doing the taxes.  And, I despise dealing with administrative "officialdom" - but I do all of those, less than desirable, tasks because when I finish, I have a sense of accomplishment.  No reward or punishment is going to motivate me more than that simple feeling of satisfaction of taking something on and completing it.  

Before kids (any of us) can be self-motivated - they have to unlearn what we have taught them by relying on sticks and carrots to coerce them to do what we think is best.  The process, to be totally honest, may take a while. They need time to rediscover the pure joy of challenging themselves and accomplishing what they set out to do, the pleasure of being creatively inspired, and the unadulterated delight in creating something out of nothing.  But, once they truly "get" it, they are well on their way to becoming their unabashedly, unapologetically, intrinsically motivated, authentic selves. 


DRC News

Summer Programs

The DRC Canton facility is finally getting its roof repaired!  When we get confirmation on when it will be started (and finished), we will set a date to begin our summer programs.  We will have a safety plan in place, which will include spending much of the day outside in the yard, and on the porch. Creative activities will be adapted for the outdoor space. We will also take daily hikes.  And, we will have a limit of eight participants each day.  Stay tuned over the next week for details.


This Fall

We are here to listen and help you navigate all the questions and concerns you have about your child's options this fall.  Feel free to contact us anytime. 
Picture
0 Comments

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Don't miss a post!

    Sign-up here to get the DRC Blog delivered to your inbox.

    Archives

    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

Picture
© 2023 Whole Learners, Inc. 501(c)3
Deep Root Center
48 Riverside Drive, Canton, NY 13617

​315*244*3034/maria@deeprootcenter.org
  • Home
    • Contact
    • Testimonials
    • Guiding Principles
  • About Us
    • Consultations
    • Summer Program
    • DRC Calendar
    • Resources >
      • Liberated Learners Network
  • Get Involved
    • Funding Appeal 2022
    • Donate
    • Sponsor a DRC Kid
    • Thank you
  • Blog