Planning 2008-2009: The Big Picture
Before I get started, I first want to make clear that I am a planner. Planning is fun, lists are a delight, thinking about the future is exciting. I think it’s because I can always be what I want to be in the future — without worrying about the grim reality of today. Be that as it may, I do have a plan for the big picture because this part of the plan is the most enjoyable part of the process for me. There are good and reasonable arguments for making at least a rough big picture sketch, but if planning or thinking about the future is daunting to you, don’t worry about it. I am under no delusions that this plan will happen as I have set forth; by no means! I expect to revisit it every year and tweak it, and perhaps completely start anew a time or two. Who knows what the future will hold? But, for me, that doesn’t dampen the delight of simply having a big picture plan in place. And I am most certainly prone to the adage “If you aim at nothing you’ll hit it every time.” I work best with a vision before me, a lens to color the seeming drudgery of the day-in day-out reality of child-rearing and house-keeping. So, that grain or two of salt freely given to you, take what I offer for what it is worth: for me, it is a daily motivator, an idea in the background to revive and strengthen, a hobby to continually tinker, and not a thing that is trusted longer than I can keep my daily plans (i.e. 1 or 2 hours).
Lift up your eyes for a moment from the curriculum guide, teacher’s manual, math problems, and state-imposed guidelines. Look at the high goal of education–a virtuous man or woman who loves the Lord–an individual who thinks rightly and acts righteously. This is not the work of day, or a week, or a year. Progress is not measured by checking off a finished assignment. Though we must give attention to the details of the journey, fix your eyes on the goal as often as possible, though you can do no more than take one step at a time.
–Karen Glass
My Big Picture Plan
…as of August 2008
