Posted on July 6, 2011 by Sandra Clifton

As the director of a learning center and an academic coach for young people, it’s the “end of the school year” and time to take stock of what went well with my students – in addition to reflecting on what didn’t turn out quite as we had planned…

During a coaching call in the park today, I celebrated the end of exams with one of my clients, and we looked back at her transition to high school during freshman year.  It was a rough start in a foreign environment, as “Alexandra” had to commute to a totally different part of town and make completely new friends.  At the beginning of the fall semester, there were several sessions when she showed up in my studio classroom with tears of fear, frustration, and failure – sometimes even I wondered if this particular place was a “good fit” for Alexandra’s educational needs…

However, we both ‘stuck it out’, and so today’s session of celebration was especially rewarding.  As part of our “finale” together, I had Alexandra compose a list of her achievements during freshman year.  We can get so focused on the daily details that we forget to take a step back and really assess our growth, and one of my business coaches had created a remedy for “To-Do” lists by prescribing a record of “Ta-DA” moments.  So I applied the same idea to Alex’s first year in high school, to help her acknowledge all of the hard work she had accomplished.

I’m always amazed and humbled by these moments, and at the poignant wisdom of my young clients. What especially touched me today is something Alex mentioned as she reached for her ‘Top Ten’ list.  “I still have the record of Why I Shine,” Alexandra laughed.  I had totally forgotten this assignment from a session together earlier in the year, and was moved to hear that Alex had kept it.  “Read it to me!” I exclaimed with happy delight.  Here is what she shared:

1. I shine because I try my best.

2. I shine because I have confidence.

3. I shine because I can work well with others.

4. I shine because I don’t put other people down.

5. I shine because I can focus.

6. I shine because of my creativity.

7. I shine because I can contribute ideas.

8. I shine because I want to try to do my best.

9. I shine because I am a good listener.

10. I shine because I like to help people.

I have to admit that this list caused my eyes to mist.  Yes, the other assignment of Alexandra’s “Top Ten” accomplishments that she read later on in the session was spot-on and insightful, but I think what I hadn’t quite planned was much more powerful.  Seeing who we are through letting our gifts shine is more empowering than any item on our list of achievements.

This coaching session today for my client was also a lesson and a reminder for me.  It harkened back to days of growing up in the South, when we used to sing a simple song with the lyrics, “This little light of mine….I’m gonna let it shine!“  May we each remember the power of the special gifts we contribute to this world – and Shine On!