Trust

I am finishing my last segment of learning to advance in my teacher licensure. This segment is all about family engagement. In particular, we have been learning about building trust with families.

One of the videos that I watched instructed us to think about people as marble jars. Do you remember seeing teachers with empty jars, and every time something good happened in their class, then they would put a marble in the jar? As people, we are like the empty marble jars.

Our interactions with other people build trust or build deception. Both are built in the small moments that fill up each day. We are supposed to be mindful about our interactions towards people, especially towards those we care the most about.

We need to be intentional, authentic, reliable, and respectful if we are to fill each other's jars with trust. We should study healthy communication skills to develop these qualities within us.

When people become lazy at strengthening their relationships through effective communication, then their relationships become inauthentic because their marble jars are filled with deception. Our relationships with other people are the most important things in life.

This segment of learning has been a reminder for me to watch my thoughts and words– especially when I'm interacting with those people whom I love. It's takes effort to have authentic and trusting relationships, but it's worth it.