BookTalks: What Do You Do With An Idea?
It all starts with an idea! Everything we see, we hear, we do–it starts with someone’s idea.
This book, What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada, has such a special place in my heart. Not only is it my go-to discussion book for innovation, creativity, and believing in your ideas, but it also was one of the books that helped me realize it was my turn to shake things up.
Here’s the story:
It was the pandemic. Educators all across the world had been pivoting, constantly–to adjust, accommodate, and continue to bring energy and learning to their students. We learned how to teach online, in our empty classrooms, socially distanced outside, in different classes, in combined classes, in the new curriculum, and inside with masks–while juggling our own families and health needs. It has been a continued challenge of flexibility and ingenuity. Educators are tremendous. Along with all those on the front lines throughout this pandemic, I have the utmost respect for my colleagues and ALL who have worked tirelessly to bring a place of joy to the young people they serve. My wish for you all is that you may feel the positive impact you have made and be filled with joy every day.
Connie Maday shares about one of her favorite books, What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada.
During this time, I was the teacher librarian for a district teaching K-6th graders. I was committed to being a constant for my students and staff, for providing inspiration in a way, to lighten the load of ‘heavy’ that was all around the globe as the continued challenges of the pandemic surfaced. For me, that meant sharing books and stories to help empower others to see the small shifts they can make to contribute, and shift our own mindset to being impactful. It starts with simple acts of kindness- what can you do to make someone else’s day great? That simple reminder that together we can be the ripples of kindness to shift the energy in the world. There have been so many examples throughout my career where we’ve distilled it down to basic acts of kindness - it all starts there.
It was with a group of second-grade students, I was reading What Do You Do With An Idea? By Kobi Yamada. We were discussing the journey the boy takes with his idea before fully believing in it- such an amazing story! You really need a copy on your shelf, if you don’t have one yet! It’s a reminder for all ages to believe in yourself and the impact you can have on the world.
At that time, there with my students, I began to listen to my own mind. I realized that the power in the discussion and the excitement of the children was what I wanted to bring out more in the world. I wanted to try to highlight more joy and positive momentum in others to bring about more changemakers–helping others realize the power they have. Simple book talks like this one were just one way to do so, how else could I make an impact? My mind was starting to build and swirl the ways and create new possibilities. I started to notice that the idea I had been growing was one of celebrating the spark others have, the ideas, the positivity, the mindset. I’d been doing it in different ways, but I hadn’t believed in the chance of doing it in a new and different way–YET. Maybe I was scared of how it would work, what it would mean I needed to let go of, scared of what that meant. A mind has a powerful way of keeping us rooted, even when there are reasons to fly.
That was the day that I allowed my idea to clearly show itself and realized that my WHY (my purpose and passion in the world) has always been helping our young people believe in themselves and in their own power, the ways they can make a difference and how they can impact others. I’d done this in various ways, but it felt time to step out and try in a different way- so that was the beginning of the idea that ultimately led to Spark to Empower.
So, today I want to say THANK YOU–to authors like, Kobi Yamada, who write to inspire others, and who share wisdom in ways that reach all ages. You never know when someone will have that spark that pushes them to ignite something new, to take that risk, or to TRY something a bit more bold and scary. Here I am, pushing the boundaries of what I “know” how to do, and inviting new wisdom into my day as I show up for the world in a new way in hopes to make a difference.
So, today,I invite you:
Think about your ideas. Which one have you been holding onto, but perhaps ignored because it’s a bit scary, and you’re not sure if you want to believe in it yet?
Perhaps it’s time to tune in and give it a chance.
After all–everything starts with an idea.
