Ever look around and wonder what all of the fighting is about? Not everything deserves a reaction or a response. Things like the email that stings, the comment in a meeting, the post online that you know is wrong. You can’t fight every battle and still have energy left for the work and people that matter most. Perhaps the better question is, “what are we fighting for?”.
Don’t waste your strength fighting shadows.
Save your courage for the battles that build the Kingdom.
— Corrie ten Boom.
Watch "Disputable Matters Without Being Disputable" on the Educators Among Us Podcast
Arguing and conflict get old. Fast. It can so quickly degrade into nastiness.
It's a part of life everywhere—especially on social media and around education.
Liquid courage may sometimes be an ignitor, but the power of the keyboard is enough of a stimulate to trigger foolish behavior expressed in destructive ways.
Wisdom teaches discretion, where we recognize that just because it can be done doesn't mean it should be. Some battles aren't ours. Many aren't worth it.
You will never reach your destination if you
stop and throw stones at every dog that barks.
— Winston Churchill
Imagine a school where disagreements fuel curiosity and innovation rather than fracture relationships and culture. Isn't that what education should be?
Discernment in conflict enables us to choose what matters over what splatters. We can make a destructive mess of things that somebody has to clean up.
Understanding timing and reading the room are critical skills here because wisdom keeps perspective and knows when silence is preferred over argument.
Avoid foolish and ignorant disputes,
knowing that they generate strife.
― 2 Timothy 2:23
The test of wise educators isn't in their fight,
but in their restraint and insight.
Disputable matters can be disputable,
allowing disagreement to be beautiful.
Disputable people are another matter
that others want to avoid so they scatter.
Dogmatic authority in every debate
degrades dialogue and shuts hard the gate
on what should be a collaborative, humble pursuit
to make us all more astute.
Perfect clarity eludes all here on earth,
and after all, people have greater worth.
Save your courage for the important battles. This will help you to avoid the distractions and disputes that waste your many talents.
Listen to "Disputable Matters Without Being Disputable" on the Educators Among Us Podcast
