Tag Archives: Youth Development

Jeff Flesch 6:00 am on February 27, 2022
Tags: , , , , , february, , , , , , , , , , Youth Development   

The Month in Review, February 2022: At Home & Work, My Debut Poetry Book, A Spillwords Nomination & A Poem, and Spark

At Home & Work

Photo by 422737, Pixabay

At home this month, I’ve been continuing to stay vigilant about the pandemic, which simply means that I am home often. The paradox about this reality is that the State of Oregon recently announced that they will be lifting the mask mandate by the end of March.

The news about lifting the mask mandate fills me with excitement and anxiety, which is very normal as these two emotions are closely related to each other. I also know wearing a mask is an individual choice, and I will continue to wear my mask until I choose differently.

Exciting news came by way of my oldest son Justin this month, as I learned that he has been placed at Mercedes Benz for his second and last University internship. Justin is extremely excited, and I am as proud as a parent can be.

The team and I have also just recently produced the Spring Term schedule of classes, which is always a lot of work, and is an exciting time in the department. Lastly, I’ve been preparing to welcome our new hire to the team, which will occur in about two weeks. 

All in all, it’s been super busy, and, yep, super fun.

My Debut Poetry Book

Photo by Mysticsartdesign, Pixabay

As you all know, I’ve been contemplating compiling and publishing a debut poetry book for some time.

When I learned about Ingrid Wilson’s new endeavor with Experiments in Fiction, which you can read more about here, it felt like the perfect opportunity and partnership.

Ingrid and I have signed an agreement, which means that sometime this fall/winter my debut poetry book will be available. I will keep you all updated as this moves forward. 

I am so excited!

A Spillwords Nomination & A Poem

I was elated to find out Saturday that I was nominated for Author of the Month at Spillwords Press. If you have a moment, I would be honored if you would go here and cast your vote. Thank you!

Voting is open through Monday, February 28.

Spark

Phtoto by guvo59, Pixabay

I’ve been reflecting upon and contemplating the concept of Spark the past two weeks. The concept arose organically within the team about two weeks ago. 

In the youth developmental literature, Spark is associated with the Thriving theoretical framework. In short, developing a youth’s spark is positively correlated with thriving indicators and outcomes. 

The above referenced article is decent, and here is a short two page theoretical framework, which includes the definition of spark listed below, developed by my graduate school advisor, Mary E. Arnold.

“A spark is a passion for a self- identified interest or skill, or a capacity that metaphorically lights a fire in a young person’s life, providing energy, joy, purpose, and direction” — Mary E. Arnold

Oregon State University 4-H

What does all this mean?

Pragmatically, it simply means that when a person is ignited and excited from within, they feel better, and are more engaged and empowered.

It’s a very important practice to develop this kind of excitement on teams and within organizations. Actually it’s important for each of us as human beings on this planet to make sure our spark is always ignited, which is why I wanted to write about it this month.

If you have a spark and know what it is, amazing; if not, you can develop it at any time, and if your spark has dwindled, which happens, you can also reignite it at any time.

Spark is not a static concept, following a linear trajectory. Passion and excitement wax and wane, and they also change directions; and, that is okay. What’s most important is to always fuel our passion for life; and when that passion wanes, to reimagine and reignite it.

Photo by oleg_mit , Pixabay

I felt impelled to write here that I stand with the citizens of Ukraine, and vehemently oppose the actions Russia is taking. Strength and power come through peace and love, not through war and violence. The latter are the products of egotism and narcissism, the former, of beauty and solidarity.

My love, blessings, and prayers for safety go out to everyone in Ukraine.

Alright, that’s all for this month.

Sending you all love, and wishing you a beautifully blessed March.

#poetry, #blogging, #debut-poetry-book, #education, #experimentsinfiction, #february, #humandevelopment, #leadershipdevelopment, #peace, #poem, #publishing, #review, #safety, #spark, #thirving, #youth-development

Jeff Flesch 2:30 pm on May 19, 2020
Tags: generations, life skills, , , simplicity, , Youth Development   

Handwritten Letters and Life Skills: Keeping Simplicity Alive for Future Generations

Photo by Green Chameleon

Since the COVID-19 health crisis began, and the associated shelter-in-place order was established here locally, I’ve been receiving handwritten letters from my niece and nephew.

When my sister told me that the twins were tasked with creating and sending out handwritten letters, I thought, oh joy! What a great way for two 10 year olds to spend parts of their day. With all the current technological distractions, these letters seemed like such a great idea, a break for them, and ultimately, a gift for me.

At the time, what I didn’t consider was how much I would enjoy receiving and reading them. Nor could I have imagined how much fun it would turn out to be to write them back.

I am old enough to have lived during a time when in-home computers were just gaining traction. At that time, handwritten (or typed) letters, like landline phones, were a part of people’s everyday experience. Not the case today.

It got me thinking about life skills, and how important it is for children and youth to have the opportunity to develop skills, even when, maybe especially when, these skills are not as sought after today. It is important for many reasons, one of which is the necessity to keep these skills alive for future generations. Why?

Because there is an elegance to the written word, like there is in understanding how to balance a checkbook, or creating a meal that doesn’t include “food” from a box. And, it is our job to teach children and youth these skills.

There are a myriad of these life skills that, due to technological advancements, are not as utilized today. In fact, some are out right not taught in schools, or in homes across the country. Why?

Some of the lack of education in life skills has to do with the way K-12 education functions today. Some of it has to do with the fact that people are busy, and don’t always spend the time necessary with their children teaching them these skills, especially as they enter their teenage years. Or, they think they’ll pick them up along the way.

As a parent, I have also fallen into the trap of being busy and assuming that the kids would pick up this or that skill along the way. Yet, what I have learned is that they will not always pick them up. We must teach them these skills.

Though the life skills referred to in this post are quite simple, we make them seem complex, as today there is an easier way to get to the outcome, or result. For instance, it is much easier to look up a word on an online thesaurus, or dictionary website, than it is to use an actual thesaurus or dictionary. Do we assume then that children and youth will simply know how to find, let alone utilize a thesaurus and or dictionary? We should assume not.

We often make the simple complex. It is a pattern most humans have, and one that I’ve referenced in several other posts. It is often harder to find the simpler path, yet strive for it we should. Because we can make something complex, does not mean it should be complex. In fact, it really means that it should be simple.

If making things simpler is something we should strive for, then teaching children and youth basic life skills, which are not as in fashion today should be a goal of every parent and or caretaker. Why?

Because if we don’t teach them these skills, who else will?

#generations, #life-skills, #psychology, #self-development, #simplicity, #sociology, #youth-development

Jeff Flesch 7:54 pm on April 26, 2020
Tags: , , , school, Youth Development   

COVID-19, Youth Development, and Creativity

This past week, I’ve been reflecting upon the COVID-19 health crisis in regard to youth development. I’ve been thinking about the online schooling all kids are now doing, and thinking about how that is a fit for some, and yet not for all. Regardless, it is so important that youth have access to their education during this health crisis. Knowledge acquisition is part and parcel to creativity. New knowledge equates to the generation of new ideas and possibilities.

Youth also need the space to do other things. Space to step away from the computer screen, and get in touch with other aspects of their being. However, that is difficult if the brain, and body for that matter, are constantly stimulated.

For instance, today I had this wonderful insight about a blog topic for today, yet due to a busier day than normal, that insight went away. Now, I know it will be back, and spend time purposefully away from sensual stimulation to create space for those types of insights to return.

Youth need downtime. Time they can use to get in touch with their creative self, and just be, free from the constraints of constant stimulation. It does not have to be hours each day. To start, it can be 10 or 20 minutes a day. Taking a walk around the block, sitting outside in the sun, and doing yard work, or gardening are just a few ideas.

Anything, while adhering to local social distancing policies, to create space so they can be with their ideas, and think about themselves in different ways, not always connected to someone or something.

If you are interested in youth development, take a look at this site, which my son and I created this past year.

Until next time…

#covid-19, #creativity, #knowledge, #school, #youth-development