Child's Challenge

If Julia Child famous chef, author and television host was alive today she would have turned 100.  While you may not be able to picture the Julie Child, you might be able to pick out the red and white cover of her infamous cook book:  Mastering the Art of French Cooking.  Alternatively, you could be more familiar with the Julie and Julia movie and project  where we learn more about Julia through Julie, a young woman who aims to cook her way through the French Cookbook. 

There are two things that really stand out about Julia Child's life:

1. to get in the kitchen to try something new, and to share good food and the pleasures of the table
2. to remember you are never to old to try something new

Julia Child wrote, “This is my invariable advice to people: Learn how to cook- try new recipes, learn from your mistakes, be fearless, and above all have fun!”  Those are some great words to live by!  Now, you do not need to get on a plane and master a cuisine.  You do not even need to get on a plane.   You simply need to try something new for 30 days.  Matt Cutts shares in his TED talk how to un-stick yourself when you are feeling trapped, unmotivated and looking for a new lease in life.  Is there something you have always put on the back burner - maybe it is learning to swim, knit or to take up running again.  The TED talk is listed below.  Alternatively, should you wish to watch something a bit more lighthearted you might like to watch Julie and Julia to celebrate century since Child's birth.

So, get out there:  try something new for 30 days.  Capture the learning in a blog, like Julie -you maybe utterly surprised where life takes you, just like Julia Child.  

Bon Appetit! 

Redefine Possible

Fears are educated into us, and can, if we wish, be educated out. 
Karl Augustus Menninger

Redefine Possible - Overcome Fear

The world has played witness to two very interesting and powerful experiences for two motivated individuals. A man crossing Niagara Falls and a man climbing a mountain. Two individuals who decided to redefine possible.  I am borrowing this idea of "redefining possible" from  Spencer West and Free the Child - one of the two men I previously mentioned.  If you have not followed his journey to reach Uhuru Peak, the summit of Mount Kilimanjarro what you might not know about Spencer is that he will be accomplishing this feat with out....feet. Training for a year, Spencer and the team set out Africa's tallest free standing mountain to raise funds for clean water projects in Africa.   Check out the team reaching the summit below. 

 Seven days later.......

The first video captures some insights into how Spencer's journey started.  His life changed course from what others anticipated what would happen.  In his case, a story was written even before it had a chance to unravel.   Sometimes that is what we need - a change in direction to re-educate our minds how to think, believe and dream differently about the path in front of us or the life we choice to live.   The second video is of Spencer achieving this incredible milestone!  One of the pieces that stood out to me as I followed Spencer was the incredible sense of team between the climbing group.  With a team, anything can be possible. 

What is on your bucket list?  Big or small redefine possible for yourself!  Who is on your team to help you achieve re-writing your story? 

Allow Canadian students to defer their post-secondary acceptance based on a Gap Year

mygapyear is initiating an online petition to present to post-secondary institutions to encourage a shift towards a blanket deferment of acceptances on the basis of a structured gap year.  Please read the letter below and sign our petition (found to the right of this blog).

"Dear Minister of Colleges and Universities and Post-Secondary Registrar of Admissions,

On behalf of those who have signed below, we would like to request that you revisit the policies and procedures surrounding the deferment of post-secondary acceptances under the circumstances that the perspective student will be pursuing a structured gap year.

Gap years are a well accepted an supported transition in Europe and Australia, where there is a proven track record . Harvard and Princeton have recognized the value of this transition time and have created programs to embrace gap years. Research shows that gap years allow individuals to grow and develop a sense of responsibility, confidence and independence as well as gain a broader understanding of the world around them.  By issuing an offer of acceptance, colleges and universities have recognized the intellectual abilities of the individual, abilities that will grow, rather than diminish over the course of a gap year.  Upon returning from a gap year these students will be equally intelligent but will also have a better sense of commitment, of responsibility towards a community and a greater sense of maturity and self-confidence, all traits that will allow them to have a more meaningful educational experience that would benefit any post-secondary institution.

With students entering university/ college at a younger age , taking some time to gain maturity is a winning strategy. With first year drop out rates climbing ( according to Statistics Canada 30% of first year university students drop out and 1 in 7 college students ) taking a gap year can actually make young adults more focussed and ready for the challenges of academic life.
   
We believe that taking a gap year benefits the individual and will, in turn strengthen the community at your institution.  We look to you as leaders and stakeholders in Education to take a bold step and review your policies on deferment for students who want to take a gap year . We encourage you to look at the success that other jurisdictions enjoy because they value this rite of passage and know that it benefits both the student, the institution and future employers.

We request you re-examine the policies surrounding deferment and weigh them against the benefits to higher education as well as the growth of the individuals who need a gap year to develop to their full potential prior to attending post-secondary education."