As a teacher, I think we are often stuck in this age old debacle of .."should students be given incentives." And I must say, I think intrinsic motivation is much more important, but I think sometimes, when we are young, that intrinisic motivation because it is just develping and passion only starting to spread, a little tangible motivator can help us think about the whimsy that does occur with love and working hard and doing what is right. And I think "incentives" aren't necessarily programming "rewards." If done correctly, the incentive should be a reminder that small gifts are beautiful, that life should not be taken for granted and that every day is a new day. That's the hope I want the next generation to take with them. Or, I should say...stick with them. 

For whatever reason, my students this year are just in-love with the idea of gum. They love bubble gum, they love talking about gum, they love chewing gum and with some busy minds this year, I think the chewing can actually become theraputic. And I love this idea of the stickiness of gum. Because I was able to say every time I heard a little chew "stick-to-it-ness is so very important" remember that as you chew that piece of gum. 

Think of gum as a metaphor though, right. Sometimes we go through life so fast or with such speed or with careless contemplation such that well...our gum loses flavor and maybe our stick-to-it-ness becomes so everyday and so mundane that the whimsy is loss. And I think this is normal and that's where change comes into play. Little changes and life alters create such a life full of passion. The planned trips are just as important as the unplanned trips which are just as important as unplanned runs and unplanned coffee gatherings. Sometimes we have to change out our flavor with a new flavor. And suprisingly, I think kids sometimes are more in-tune to this as we are as adults. I probably heard at least 30 times that day, "Mrs. Amoscato can I grab another piece of gum..my flavor is running out." They recognize when that passion is twindling and when its time for a little gum switch. 

So what about you? Have you been playing attention the flavors of life? There is nothing wrong with a little bubble gum wonder to get that mind moving away from the mundane and towards the beauty of whimsy.