My tip this week is for you as a person and a Circlekeeper to keep your mind open to multiple sources of learning. What I mean by this is to find and keep a variety of “camps”. Here are some of my “Camps”:
- Emotional IQ and Daniel Goleman, I mention him in this post about emotional climate. His articles are always helpful.
- Linda Wolf, Teen Talking Circles. I went to Mexico for a week long women’s circle, May 2006. The group photo is on my special wall. The training was so helpful in deepening who I am as a woman and gave me phenomenal courage in implementing Restorative Justice Circles. Linda gave me information on Compassionate Listening, and I use that in teaching Circles.
- Dr. Martin Seligman, Authentic Happiness he has excellent articles and I liked taking his tests. Focusing and developing strengths really makes sense to me. The tests are free on this website.
- Philosophers Notes I am subscribed to this and I really like to get to peek inside the current book trends.
- Compassionate Classroom and work by Marshall Rosenberg is really helpful. For teachers using Restorative Justice Compassionate Classroom is a powerful tool is developing your background and philosophy.
Of course I keep track of what my friends are publishing on Restorative Justice. Brenda Morrison’s book Restoring Safe School Communities is really valuable. I see that more in my “camp” I guess.
My tip of the week . . . keep a broad base of information flowing to you as a practitioner. As you develop yourself as a person, you will develop yourself as a Circle keeper.
One of the Compassionate Listening suggestions is to keep healing your own wounds. Each time I do that, I have a better understanding for others trying to do the same thing. No one shoe fits all!
Peace – Kris