Let people live in your heart.

August 31, 2009 in Uncategorized

A woman named Virginia Pulver is one of my Facebook friends. Yesterday, she posted a video on Facebook that has stopped me in my tracks, it is so beautiful and moving. It was the first of five parts, I would soon discover, telling the story of the remarkable classroom of Toshiro Kanamori in Japan.

I want to tell you something–whatever you are doing this Monday morning can wait.

I’m posting all five parts of this here for you. And throughout this Monday, I want you to watch them all and report back. You can eek out six or eight minutes a few times today, I know you can. What with the blog reading (LIKE RIGHT NOW) and tweeting and latte drinking and day-dreaming about Johnny Depp and eating spelt scones and Facebooking you do at school or work, you can make the time.

And as you watch, a few questions: Can you imagine the impact of classrooms (and workplaces and families) like this, where people engage in difficult conversations prompted by a kind and open and wise guide? What if we all had teachers and bosses and friends like this one, able to love and challenge equally, and able to learn from as much as teach to?

How could you be this person for someone else in your life?

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

16 comments to " Let people live in your heart. "


Gloria Chen

August 31, 2009 AT 3:44AM

These lessons do not come in text books.
I find it rather interesting and odd that the word “happy” does not have an equivalent in Japanese that they resorted to English pronunciation. I wonder why.

Valli Murphy

August 31, 2009 AT 9:27AM

I spent yesterday afternoon alternating between watching the videos, and gardening. I was so moved by each one, that I literally had to take a break afterwards to reflect on my feelings. Each little vegetable I picked reminded me of the beautiful children that Mr. Kanamori helps to grow…

I’ve shared the videos with some teacher friends and other folks in my life. Thanks for posting this dear Patti.

Kim Mailhot

August 31, 2009 AT 10:03AM

You encourage us to work hard to get to Happy too, Teach ! Watched the first video…Empathy…that bittersweet human quality…good for my heart and yours.
Worked perfectly for my blog post topic today, of course !
Thinking of you and that big, beautiful heart of yours.
Rock Fairy Hugs !

ocean lotus

August 31, 2009 AT 11:37AM

these were just lovely to watch

Kim Mailhot

August 31, 2009 AT 1:34PM

Messages big enough to be seen from Heaven…
Thanks for these, Patti.

Di from di-did-it

August 31, 2009 AT 2:11PM

I took a long lunch break at the office so as to watch these one right after the other. It was very powerful. Thank you for sharing this story and encouraging each of us to step up & be the best we can be.

Kim

August 31, 2009 AT 2:27PM

I’m a tearful mess after watching these, but it’s all good. I love how he challenged and empowered his students to open their hearts to each other.

Jennifer

August 31, 2009 AT 3:44PM

Breathtaking.
Thank you for pointing us towards them!

Christina

August 31, 2009 AT 6:54PM

Just spent the time to watch all five parts. I’m approaching my sophmore year of college now, but I remember (in bits and pieces) my life during elementary school. It might be because I’m especially emotional as of the moment, but I kept crying, especially during the one part where the class discussed bullying. It’s a shame educational leaders didn’t do more concerning bullying (I was a victim of it) during my time in grade school…

Definitely a great post :) It’s tempting me to talk to some old friends who, like the student’s classmates, stood up for their fellow students.

First time commenting, but definitely not the first time reading.

Thank you, Patti :)

With love from NJ,
Christina

erin

August 31, 2009 AT 8:47PM

…that was so absolutely beautiful.
wow…
i have no words.

thank you for sharing that
so moving.

esther louie

September 1, 2009 AT 8:28AM

I’m in the midst of student leadership training — I am sending to my group and I know they will deeply appreciate it. Thank you Patti for always giving us inspiration and motivation. Thanks to Mr. Kanimori and his heart and wisdom and to his brave and courageous students.

Lenna Andrews

September 1, 2009 AT 9:37AM

thank you Patti, for sharing this . . . i am moved to tears.

Lisa

September 1, 2009 AT 11:56AM

i am moved beyond words. i just finished watching all five parts and the tears continue to fall as i write this.

the best teachers are those who inspire and encourage children (and adults) to be who they really are and be not afraid to share what’s most true in their hearts with others. mr. kanimori taught all of his class to be their own teachers.

yes….what would the impact be in the world were we all to be as real, compassionate and loving to one another as these kids and their teacher were to one another? it starts with all of us. we can each choose to be that kind of person for someone else.

thank you, patti for posting this. it is a powerful reminder for me to be that kind of person today and every day.

Pam

September 2, 2009 AT 12:01PM

I am so moved all I can say is, Thank you for sharing this inspiring and hopeful documentary with us.

jylene

September 5, 2009 AT 6:00AM

i waited for a block of time to watch all 5 at once. this morning, 5am worked for me. this is a beautiful and inspirational story. how i wish we could all have this experience as children! how different our lives and relationships would be if we had such gentle guidance, patience and understanding as this teacher shows his students.

jojoebi

September 8, 2009 AT 12:54AM

thank you for sharing, I live in Japan and i hope that my son will find a teacher like this, we all need to have a special teacher, at least once in our lifetime.