Children Full of Life
I was so deeply moved by this documentary, that I feel compelled to share it. Here is a link to Children Full of Life, a film about Mr. Kanamori and his group of fourth-grade students in Kanazawa, Japan. His primary goal as a teacher is to help his students understand happiness (through lessons about empathy, compassion, and community…). What a wonderful world we would live in, if we all had teachers like this.
Lemony Shots 
Thank you for this link Lemony. I am going to watch this!
April 6, 2012 at 4:07 pm
If you do, Lance, let me know what you think. I am still thinking about it hours later. The children and the teacher in the documentary really touched me. It’s a very inspiring film.
April 7, 2012 at 2:51 am
It is so very inspiriting, you are right. And I realised after watching it that I’d watched it once before on the CBC, when it had first been done. And I cried then too. It is so beautiful. It is easy to dismiss the man as one of a kind–gifted with a giving personality–a rare one-off–and let our admiration of him be like admiring an amazing piece of sculpture.
But we are all called to be him.
He cultivated those qualities within, to BECOME that facilitating, sensitively-attuned, and positively-determined person. He worked/s at being who he is.
I am going to be more like him.
I want to become like that, too.
Thank you Melanie for reminding me of what/who I wish to be.
April 8, 2012 at 11:15 am
I love that thought, Lance, that we are called to be him. What occurred to me when I watched this film was that we are all the teacher AND the children, and I admired the bravery of the children who allowed themselves to be their authentic selves… this is what put them on the path to experiencing happiness. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about the documentary.
April 9, 2012 at 1:41 am
Very true……it certainly would be a kinder world full of more grateful people for the blessings they have.
Pam and Sam
April 6, 2012 at 8:41 pm
Thank you for sharing. I have bookmarked the link and plan on watching it soon.
April 7, 2012 at 4:31 pm
Thank you, Lori. I was so incredibly touched by this documentary. I hope you find it as moving as I did.
April 8, 2012 at 12:57 am
Great teachers are few and far between.
April 9, 2012 at 6:24 am
I just watched it. Heart-warming documentary. Thank you so much for sharing. Compassion and empathy for others — human or not — is the foundation for success in all things, as far as I’m concerned, and teaching those values is a tricky business in this day-and-age. He’s certainly mastered that skill!
April 16, 2012 at 7:48 am
I’m so glad you watched it! Thank you! I couldn’t agree with you more regarding the role of compassion when it comes to success. I think, in fact, changes how we define success. I’m really happy you enjoyed the video.
April 17, 2012 at 12:54 pm
Too many children in America are NOT getting this — not only in the classrooms, but also at home. Just these simple characters create fabulous, working, caring, vibrant human beings that excel at anything they want! It’s a difficult thing to “teach,” but as far as education goes, most “bang for the buck,” in my mind.
It was awesome. I couldn’t stop watching, even though I was very tired (it was in the middle of the night and I couldn’t sleep).
April 17, 2012 at 5:36 pm
Thanks for sharing this one. It took awhile to find the time to watch it, but it was WELL worth the 9 minutes. I will be sharing this with several Japanese friends from our time in Japan. Others, as well.
April 17, 2012 at 7:30 pm