Learning to share; sharing to learn
What do you do with the knowledge and insights that you have?
I’ve recently come to value a habit or practice of mine that I thought was normal but now realise is unique. I’d like to share it with you and invite you to join me in a world-changing behaviour!
Can you recall a moment when you heard, read or observed something and ‘a light turned on’ for you? In that moment you were open to new learning. You were in the right place at the right time and recognised a concept as relevant to your life, and could see how to take hold of it and make it your own. Some of those moments are dynamic shifts – but many are small, useful tips to make your life or work run more smoothly. Like an email I received recently with a comprehensive and useful list of activities that families can do during COVID-19 isolation.
It was really insightful to me. But I don’t leave it there! I share what I’ve discovered with others. I know, it sounds simple – but it turns out this is small act is not commonly done. That email/list I received, I then shared with a friend with young children. She and her husband have been working from home and were looking at ways to manage the 24/7-together-time positively. She was so grateful for the suggestions in the list, as the 4 weeks of Lockdown status seemed so daunting. She told me that they baked in the morning, planned a family afternoon where they dressed up in posh clothes and watched the ballet online – ideas that came from the list I had shared.
It’s so valuable when others sharing learning, knowledge and wisdom with me. And I’m puzzled by people who do not think to do this.
On reflection, I can see indicators on how this habit of sharing has developed and become important to me:
- As an Early Childhood teacher and a Union office holder, I have worked in a variety of teams. It is my experience that team work functions best when each member of the team seeks not to compete with others nor hold onto things that would enable colleagues and the organisation to grow but works openly and collaboratively for common goals.
- I love the Maori principle of being Kaitiaki (caretakers not owners) of taonga (treasures). I first heard this concept when I began my Teacher training back in the 80’s. I learned that Pounamu (greenstone) is a precious treasure of great value. It is not to be owned but treasured by those entrusted to care for it and when the time is right, they will pass it on to someone else who now becomes the honoured caretaker of the treasure.
- As a Christian, it is at core principle of my faith that I have a commission to share my testimony (life experience) thus allowing God to not only work in me but also through me.
- In the weeks and months after the Christchurch Earthquakes, there was a huge rise in small local collective activities and support. It felt like a return to the close neighbourhoods of days gone by.
- My life has been so enriched by friends, colleagues and mentors who have shared their life experiences and learnings with me. Why wouldn’t I pass my learnings on to others?!
- I also have a personal belief that humans were not designed to be disconnected, isolated beings. We need each other! We need to be part of community – be that work and profession based, within our family, in our neighbourhood … We are enriched by shared knowledge and learning, shared warmth, shared love, shared pain …
As I gain new skills and knowledge, and discover great life tips, I consciously choose to pass them on. Wisdom and knowledge are treasures that I don’t own, but I can appreciate them more fully when I pass them on to communities where I am privileged to belong.
Will you join me and others? Be a person who is able and willing hear, read or observe; to recognise significant learning possibilities for the value they contain; to look at how knowledge can enrich another’s life; and to pass it on to someone who would benefit.
I treasure knowledge and because of this, I’ll continue to share what I learn with others. There is priceless value in passing forward such treasures gifted and discovered.
What have you learned recently that was valuable? Who will you share it with?
Nā tō rourou, nā taku rourou ka ora ai te iwi
With your food basket and my food basket the people will thrive.
Author: Chrissy Daly
Chrissy is a resident of Christchurch, New Zealand. Health challenges may have brought Chrissy’s 30+ year Early Childhood Teaching career to a premature end but her passion for quality teaching and learning hasn’t stopped as she continues to mentor & support teachers as well as and advocating for the rights & needs of children, teachers, parents and workers. Chrissy has a decades-long friendship with Helen (creator of Self unLimited) that’s characterised by frequent sharing of professional and personal insight. Even though Chrissy and Helen have worked in different fields, they’ve each greatly benefited from the ideas and tips that have cross-fertilised their workscapes.
(Amended) Photo by Nate Johnston on Unsplash
