Hope Elpis
Believing a hard, good goal is reachable and working toward it, without giving up or coasting.
23 moments from Aim’s letters home, newest first. Each letter opens with the part that shows hope highlighted.
I'm back...and we need to talk about the Odyssey
I've watched an eagle captured by the villain crew describe, afterward, what it feels like to be in a truly dark place with no light, and then tell me he would not trade his character for anyone else's, because whatever happens next will shape him.
Read the letter →Find a calling; change the world
If you don't know this about me yet, it is time you knew. I actually expect these eagles to change the world. Find a calling; change the world. That has never just been a clever tagline, marketing ploy, or anything of that nature to me. It has been the genuine truth.
Read the letter →Well...now what? Part 3
Yet, despite the pain of saying goodbye last night, there was a moment where I gathered with many of the remaining eagles, tears streaming down all of our faces, but a smile on our lips as we looked around at who remains in our tribe. We have many many many more adventures to come.
Read the letter →Will Aim become Lord of the Flies next year?
Our children will find a way to earn that badge. Yes, even if the requirements or instructions aren't perfectly clear.
Read the letter →The Odyssey is not just a game...
He said he would not. Because whatever the outcome, he is ready to embrace it, knowing that it will shape him into a stronger, wiser individual.
Read the letter →Work hard, play hard. The new motto for ES.
Helping them rediscover that why is going to be my mission for the rest of this year. This has turned into a rallying cry you might hear in the studio, spoken with conviction and determination from those who remember--'reclaim the magic'.
Read the letter →Hoist the anchors and unfurl the sails!
So when we are less than two weeks in, and some of you may already be surprised your eagles are utterly spent in every way, or a month from now or a year from now when your child is on the edge of the abyss (discussed here ), well...I would say embrace it. It's a good sign that they are growing. And that's why we are all here isn't it?
Read the letter →Would Aim still be your tribe...
And what's more, when I see parents resist the urge to snatch their children out of the grasp of this abyss, and instead acquiesce the broken heart that comes to all parents brave enough to enter their own cave and watch their children struggle, but hold on to hope and they do it nonetheless--that inspires me too. Hope is a powerful thing.
Read the letter →My biggest takeaway from this morning?
My question: with all of the uncertainty, confusion, terror, violence, ambiguity, pressure, stress, high stakes, and pain in the future--what is one thing you are hopeful for? Answers varied...from one eagle who is hopeful for "the next life-changing quest", another has hope because he "knows how to put his whole heart into something".
Read the letter →Thanks for being on this journey with me
And the craziest part is, they are doing it! They are taking Aim's charge to find a calling and change the world seriously. And if belief is the first step to accomplishing this, they are well on their way because they believe it...actually that's not quite strong enough.
Read the letter →Exhibition Pep Talk
Our children will find a way to earn that badge. Yes, even if the requirements or instructions aren't perfectly clear.
Read the letter →The symphony of Flow and the hardships of the road.
And because of this, they are almost done extracting all of the bones from their dig site!! On to the next goal of identifying and assembling the skeletons - a daunting but doable challenge for this group of heroes!
Read the letter →Change is hard when it involves the ones we love
We talked about how we have built our lives around each other over the last few years at Aim Academy, and that change is the hardest when it involves those that we love. At the same time it provides an opportunity to grow and stretch even more on our Hero's Journey.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 3 (12/5/21)
And so learning how to tackle seemingly impossible challenges while at Aim is one of the best things they can do to prepare for what they are going to face in the real world. The eagle made a final plea not to settle for easy or convenient. But to set the bar high--and grow along the journey to get there.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (9/25/21)
Within the Spark studio, everyone received a running partner and set challenging goals for themselves. They weren't afraid of failure at all - their focus was on trying new things, being curious and stretching themselves more.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (9/11/21)
Speaking of SMART goals...this is something that was introduced this week as well. Eagles are challenged to set at least one daily, weekly, and session long goal that they work towards.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (8/27/21)
Our Tribe is not out of the woods yet. There will be many more challenges to come--not to mention greater challengers. And there are still a few lingering questions amongst them about whether or not the Tribe is composed of the perfect makeup yet. But there are also life changing moments ahead too.
Read the letter →Year 2 Session 1 (8/23/21)
There is a lot of responsibility that comes with this much freedom. But like you, I know the sacrifices are worth it.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 6 (5/22/21)
At the outset of this session, the amount seemed too large and almost impossible for many of the Eagles. After week one, they didn't even have $1,000 in combined savings. Some gave up; others dug in.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 5 (4/2/21)
As we look to the next phase of our journey, I am very very excited. There are still so many families who are desperately looking for a school like ours. I literally speak with one or two of them every week. So I am thrilled for our school to be the answer to what they are looking for!
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 5 (3/12/21)
Several Eagles are diligently making their way towards earning a Core Skills badge this session. There is always increased motivation as they see themselves closing in on a goal.
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 2 (11/6/20)
What accomplishments are you most proud of in your Hero’s Journey at Aim? What areas are you looking to improve in on? What are the Session 2 goals that you set for yourself at the beginning of the Session? What can you do to reach those goals?
Read the letter →Year 1 Session 1 (10/02/20)
He touched on several superheroes: Superman, Wolverine and the Hulk— all of whom had fallen several times along their Hero’s Journey. What mattered wasn’t that they had fallen, but that they ultimately decided to rise back up again and continue. They pursued their calling and changed the world.
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