IB Learner Profile: Balanced ~ Achieving "well-being for ourselves and others"
Schools - through mission and vision statements - and individual educators reiterate the importance of finding balance. Achieving “well-being for ourselves and others” (per the IB Learner Profile) doesn’t happen solely by chance.
As the end of the academic year approaches, school sometimes feel more frenetic. The list of tasks to do seems to get longer as the number of days to complete tasks reduces [Think: spin cycle on the washing machine - as it approaches the end and a place of rest, the pace increases]. As a result, achieving balance may be more challenging.
In thinking of ways (for students and educators alike) to find/maintain balance, I am reminded of a simple, yet effective, Professional Development session I attended years ago (truth be told, last millenium) where the focus was on mindfulness (before it became the mantra of many). Aware of the demands and reality of working in schools, we were invited to consider events/activities that occur on daily basis and which could be termed as ‘golden moments’ or ‘magic moments’. I recall a colleague gleefully sharing that each morning she would - holding her mug of coffee, feeling the warmth on her hands, the steam on her face with her beloved Jacques Brel playing in the background - take a few moments for herself. This simple act was a magic moment and a morning ritual to which she held dear
Despite not being religious, the Adhan/Azaan [the Islamic call to prayer] each and every morning while here in Kuala Lumpur is very calming and centring. Being near the Equator, the prayer times do not alter greatly throughout the year and so the first call to prayer of the day is always around 06.00. While still dark, and before traffic takes hold of the city, the call to prayer is ethereal. It is a time to stop, pause, and take a breath. It is, for me, a ‘golden moment’ each and every morning and helps ground me and set the tone of the day ahead for me.
I invite you to reflect on how you achieve well-being for yourself and others. Does the notion of integrating ‘magic moments’ throughout the day resonate with you? I challenge you to take the time to stop, pause, and take a breath; to create your own ‘golden moments’ during your day; and to reflect on what you do and/or can do to keep balanced.
BALANCED: We understand the importance of balancing different aspects of our lives—intellectual, physical, and emotional—to achieve well-being for ourselves and others. We recognize our interdependence with other people and with the world in which we live.