The Acceptance of Deviations

1. The Acceptance of Deviations The Authentic Montessorians Journey Kacee Weaver St. Catherine University EDUC 6220-Professional Growth of the Montessori Guide October 13, 2013

2. What are Deviations? • “Deviationin nature is an important part of evolution. When something causes a creature’s DNA to change, it creates a deviation, or a changed characteristic. If the deviation makes the organism better able to survive, it passes the change on to its descendants. People are naturally given to change, so there are deviations in critical thought as well as in math and science. Those deviations often account for the creativity that gives rise to new ideas, or theories, or even musical styles” (www.vocabulary.com).

3. My Acceptance of Change My Montessori journey toward self-actualization has led me through four stages of understanding and accepting my changed characteristics. Recognizing imperfections, challenges, purpose and vulnerabilitiesare deviations I am obtaining and growing through.

4. Accepting Imperfections I first had to accept that I am incomplete, imperfect and occasionally powerless. The prepared adult does not arrive when training is over, or after the first, or third year of teaching; it takes patience, guidance, continual self-reflection, the loss of control and the acceptance of imperfection.

5. Accepting Challenges My next acceptance was that there is no destination for the journey I have chosen, I will never be finished or complete. I need to enjoy and accept the successes and failures along the path. Each day will bring a new challenge and a new victory. Through the acceptance of challenges, the purpose and beauty of the method is able to reveal itself.

6. Accepting Purpose Thirdly, along this journey I have found pieces of myself I never knew were missing; I have found my voice, my natural strengths and my inner beauty. I have cast my stone into this great world and I feel the ripples of my purpose spreading among my family, my colleagues, the natural world and my community.

7. Accepting Vulnerability Finally I recognize the need to Defend myself from burnout, rigidity, intolerance, ego, defensiveness or isolationism (Wolff, 2008). With patience and forethought, I anticipate the obstructions I will have to overcome, as the ripple of my purpose spreads.

8. Deviations can be as severe as a wild fire or as minor as a fallen tree. With each, the forest adapts to and survives the change. One cannot say that the forest was better before or after the deviation. One can only say that the forest is changed. We will all encounter deviations along our paths. Some of these deviations we will see as positive, some we will view as negative; Each of these changes will promote the evolution of our character if we accept them with understanding and patience.

9. Growth Through Deviations Recognizing and accepting imperfections, challenges, purpose and vulnerabilities can only be accomplished by living in the Now (Tolle, 2006). Today,I accept and enjoy the successes and failures along the path. I nowcare for and love my body through physical activity so that it can function well for this demanding and rewarding trek. I take time now,to rejuvenate my spirit through stillness and mindfulness so that I may accept my failures and successes with grace. Now, I renew my lust for learning to keep my mind stimulated. I now see the natural goodness in people and grow morally. Now I integrate myself through all of these aspects in each presentation of the didactic materials to stay true to the Montessori presentations and philosophy (Dorer, 2008).

10. References Dorer, M. (2008). Preparation of the montessori guide. St. Paul, MN. Tolle, E. (2006). A new earth; Awakening to your life's purpose. London: First Plume Printing. Vocabulary.com. (n.d.). Vocabulary.com. Retrieved from Deviations: https:// www.vocabulary.com/dictionary/deviations