This past week I was in class and there was a discussion going on. I don’t remember exactly what we were talking about but it had to do with limitations. Then a comment was made. Someone said that they think everyone has a place in the world and society. This statement I can get on board with. However, there was a second part to the comment they said. They said that they believe everyone has an ability to do things but they also don’t have to ability to do some things. She used the example of a subject she wouldn’t want to teach because she isn’t good at that subject. In the moment, I was agreeing with what she was saying. Then I started thinking.
This person has a mindset of limitations. It frustrates me to the core that this is true. They believe that they can’t do certain things and they believe that other people can’t do certain things.
It’s sad to say that I used think like this until recently. I never saw myself as a mathematician, or a doctor, or an athlete. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to be those things but in my head I didn’t think I could. When this was said out loud in one way or another in my class discussion, reality hit me. This was a class of future educators agreeing with this person that they thought everyone had limitations in abilities. If this doesn’t strike you as completely wrong let me explain.
I am not an athlete. I was not built like one physically or mentally. However, I know if I set my mind to running a marathon, I would eventually accomplish that. Math is not my strong suit but I know if I tried hard enough I could be great at it. This is something that we need to be telling the youth of today.
We need to make sure the children of today understand that they can do ANYTHING. Just because they might have to work a little harder at it does not mean it is impossible. As a future educator I will make this clear everyday to them. But that is only a portion of their lives. They need to hear it from everyone around them.
To parents please do not preach limitations to your children. Tell them everyday they can do anything they put their minds to. If you see they are struggling in a certain area focus on that to a certain extent so they don have to feel as though they have one strong suit.
To society please do not encourage certain abilities or limit them. Help everyone see that they are capable through hard work and dedication.
I realize that this article is a tad “soap boxy”, but I think it starts an important conversation. Please start having that conversation especially with the children that are surrounding you everyday.
