My son has a shirt that reads on the front, “Class of 2029.”  I remember the first time I saw it and thought about how far away that graduation ceremony was. For, it was given to him in kindergarten – when he was just six years old.  It is kind of funny – giving a little baby who is learning the alphabet a shirt like that.  Under no circumstances at that time could he comprehend the astrological concept of a year being a trip around the sun – or the fact that this process would have to take place again and again until its words made any sense to him at all. I found the shirt in a box that hadn’t been opened for quite a while. 

Later in the evening, when he was sitting on the couch, and all was quiet, and my episode of Reacher ended, the shirt caught my eye.  I’ve been doing this exercise in which I look at a thing, sit quietly for a few minutes, and think about it.  What is it made of?  Where did it come from?  Why is it here? What does it mean?  Why did I keep it?  Mindfulness expert, Chris Willard would be proud of me now – if he could see me with my eyes closed taking deep breaths…3 seconds in through the nose…2 seconds hold…4 seconds breath out through the mouth.  It is kind of relaxing.  Seriously – give it a try. 

Back to the shirt.  Why was it given to him?  Nobody told me why, and at that time, stopping to think about anything, even for a moment, wasn’t likely.  It has taken a lot of work for me to stop thinking about moving parts and shiny things every minute of every day.  But here we are, and tonight it dawned on me that the shirt wasn’t for him at all.  It was for me.  I mean, is it possible to imagine our six-year-olds as 17-year-olds without thinking about ourselves and all the things we’d have to be ready to do to get them there?  3 seconds in through the nose…2 seconds hold…4 seconds breath out through the mouth…Repeat.  One more time, then again.

I connected this shirt of his to an adult exercise – a letter to your future self.  3 seconds in through the nose…2 seconds hold…4 seconds breath out through the mouth.  Then I decided that I’d like to write one of those for myself.  Why?  What is the purpose of this exercise, and how could it pertain to giving our kids a sense of hope for their future?

Focusing on their future in a tangible way has profound implications for a child's learning, growth, and achievement. When learners can visualize their future selves, it cultivates a sense of purpose and direction in their educational journey. It's no longer about abstract concepts or distant, unrelated goals. Instead, it becomes about building a path to a future they can see and almost touch.

The visualization of the future enhances engagement by giving students the perspective of their current efforts. Understanding that each day's learning contributes to their future success makes even mundane or challenging tasks more meaningful. It's no longer just about learning to count or to read; it's about laying the foundation for the skills and knowledge they will need in high school, college, and beyond.  What is it for you?  A debtless life, full of abundance?  For me, it is a Winnebago that makes it to every Monday Night Football Game for an entire season.

For all of us, focusing on the future stimulates growth in a way that immediate goals often can't. It encourages us to set higher standards for ourselves and to dream bigger. It's not just about passing the next test or finishing the school year; it's about who they want to become - the future valedictorian, the scientist, the artist, the electrician, or the teacher.

A forward-looking perspective fosters a growth mindset. I’d love for Luca to begin to see challenges not as insurmountable obstacles but as steps towards his future self. Don’t we all want our kids to learn resilience, understanding that a setback is a learning opportunity, bringing them closer to that class of 2029?

In achieving this vision, the role of parents and educators becomes crucial. We must provide the support and resources necessary for our kids to realize these goals. It's about encouraging their dreams, nurturing their talents, and providing the guidance they need to navigate their educational journey.  One more time…3 seconds in through the nose…2 seconds hold…4 seconds breath out through the mouth.