The Little Things

In my life I have noticed that it is the little things that usually mean the most - something someone says or does - in an offhanded way - that is meaningful - a compliment or a look. I think these things come from within and are natural rather than planned and strategic.

It happens between people but it also happens in the natural world.

Today something 'little' happened. A few weeks ago I planted some herb seeds in a few pots on my deck. I had this need to create or make or grow or something and I was determined to do it from scratch.

I put potting soil in the pots, sprinkled the seeds and then watered them - supposedly I am to keep them moist all the time.

Then it started to rain in Regina - a non-stop week long rain. It has lasted more than a week off and on now with very little sun.

I regularly checked my pots and found nothing. I blamed my early watering - I thought I washed away the seed. I blamed the rain - keeping the pots too moist. I blamed the lack of sun.

But today there are little green tips (and one pot with purple tips) poking their way out of the soil.

The little things mean a lot - I was ecstatic. You have to look carefully but you can see green in that pot!

So other than making me happy what does this mean to Business Teacher Education?

There is a lot to learn in the little things.

The natural, easy compliment to our students or for that matter to our colleagues makes a difference. Watching something grow and thrive and believing that we have contributed to that growth makes a difference in us.

I believe this is what teaching is all about. Trying our best to nurture - worrying that we haven't done it right - and then feeling that elation when we see something is happening as a result of our efforts