I play a game called Criminal Case. It's a harmless game that makes me feel like a detective, sometimes anyway. One of the crime scenes is set to see the differences. It's neat, but occasionally I notice my focus seems wrong.
Today was one of those days. I noticed I was looking at the small details and ignoring the big differences right in front of me. I don't understand that. Why am I so focused on finding something small that I don't realize a big object missing right where I'm looking?
Some people have sayings like, "Can't see the forest for the trees." The Bible talks about seeing the speck in your brother's eye and ignoring the log in your own eye. Focusing on the small details doesn't get you the full picture. As a teacher grading a writing assignment I could concentrate on every grammar mistake and avoid getting the message or the creativity present. I could focus so much on my job that I don't acknowledge that students have other teachers and there's a big picture in education.
I had to make a list today of students who had B+ or higher grade point average. As I reviewed this elite list, I wondered what's their focus. I know several focus on getting a high score in every class. But what do they focus on? I know what I did when I was in junior high. I focused on the subjects that were the hardest for me and less on the ones that came naturally. These students in my class have the mentality that focuses on the end result. They want all As. They change their focus as their grade fluctuates. And there's nothing wrong with that. It seems like big picture mentality and they focus on details when needed.
So why do I find myself concentrating on so many small details? It has to be my focus. Let's face it, worrying and fretting has never really changed anything. In fact it's probably caused more harm than good. Now I'm not suggesting you quit bothering with being on time for your job or take a vacation from reality, but sometimes don't we all focus on things that are piddly?
I know teaching junior high science is important, but I also need to look at my student's future. That's scary to do. I know they will learn many new things in high school. I have to build from elementary and prepare them to transition to high school. But sometimes I think about the fact most will never get the chance to study earth science again. Yes, I'm looking at the details, but at the same time I'm looking at the big picture. I managed to focus on both.
This is a rough time of year for teachers, especially in the junior high. Hormones are running rampant and I don't want to scare any non-teachers, but the hallways are a scene from a Stephen King novel. This is a time for the big picture. It's so easy to focus on the insanity in front of us that we don't realize that half of these students will be gone in 35 days. They won't be causing mischief in the halls or talking back. They will be someone else's detail. We may not even remember their name this time next year. Ha! Who am I kidding? I remember details too well to forget that easily. But a few years down the road, I might not remember names.
When it comes right down to the nitty gritty, I have to say details are good. But don't lose focus of the big picture. I've seen it too many times in daily life and in the games I play. The big picture will always bring your focus back on track. To all my teacher friends, God bless you as you navigate through this time of year. And remember the big picture, the end it near.
