My youngest sister is an English teacher. In one lesson, she brought a poem of William Ernest Henley’s to life. The poem is called “Invictus.” The awakening she triggered in her students is extraordinary. Perhaps you can learn something from her lesson too, as I have.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
— Invictus by William Ernest Henley
Teacher Jennie asked her third year high school students to bring balloons to class one lesson. It was the day she was teaching Invictus, a poem on conquering fears and taking responsibility for oneself.
After they had read the poem and discussed it briefly, she led the class into an open field. The students stood side by side, each one holding on to their balloons.
Jennie took out a box of pins from her pocket. “Misss!!!!!!!!” The students cried. They knew then that they were to pop their balloons, but why they had to, they still didn’t know.
“I want you to think of everything that is holding you back,” Jennie said. She asks them to think of anything that kept them from pursuing their dreams, that kept them from wanting to achieve anything. She asked them to think of their own fears, their own uncertainties that prevented them from moving on, from moving forward. These were to be the balloon they were holding.
“Now think. And when I count to three, shout out the last two lines of the poem as loud as you can. Then pop your balloon. You will hear a very loud sound but I do not want anyone to laugh or make any sound,” Jennie instructed as she passed the pins around. The students got one pin each and reflected on what they were to do next.
Silence. Reflections. There were looks of fear and uncertainty on some faces.
When the students were ready, Jennie counted to three. Then the students shouted all at the same time.
“I AM THE MASTER OF MY FATE!!! I AM THE CAPTAIN OF MY SOUL!!!”
The loud popping of balloons echoed through the field.
A strong silence filled the air.
Some of the students burst into tears. Others continued to reflect in silence. There was one girl who was still holding on to her balloon, the pin in another hand.
“Pop your balloon,” Jennie said firmly.
The girl shook her head.
“Pop your balloon!” Jennie repeated.
The girl pierced the balloon hesitantly. After the balloon burst, she buried her face in her hands and cried.
The silence and tears were followed with cries of cleansing, talks on resolve and strength. This cathartic experience not only brought Henley’s work to life, but served as a potent reminder to the students of their own power. It was an extraordinary lesson from my sister and an extraordinary awakening for the students.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
— Invictus by William Ernest Henley
See the full poem here.
Thank you to everyone who revealed their secrets. Was it easy? I found it difficult to type out my replies in the beginning, but afterwards, I felt cleansed. There were some secrets I shared that I thought were long forgotten, like the “tear up those Ethan Hawke pictures!” secret. Oh boy! It was good to let it out.
I hope you feel a little bit cleansed. I hope you know that no matter how shallow or dark you think your secrets are, you are not alone in this crazy, crazy world.
Hi! I'm Toni Tiu,
and I've been blogging at
at Wifely Steps since 2003. This started as a blog to help newly weds adjust to married life. It has evolved into a home and parenting blog. I write about things close to my heart -- good eats, good reads, family, marriage, and the little things that make everyday happy.
North
September 18, 2006 at 11:45 pm (18 years ago)Out of the night that covers me, black as the pit from pole to pole, I thank whatever gods may be, for my unconquerable soul….
I think this is the only poem that’s been retained on my mind. No particular reason. High school days but the last time I did this was during one of the team building ‘talent night’ we had a year ago. Each group has to present as many ‘talents’ as they can. Kaya pati pagrecite ng poem, hindi pinatawad. With actions pa. Goose bumps. I think this comment can also be one of my secrets (at least from my friends out of office). 😀
pinayhekmi
September 18, 2006 at 11:59 pm (18 years ago)I can feel the tears bubbling in my eyes…your sister is….amazing…You know the Personal/Professional development programs I’ve gone through…they were cathartic as well, but we had to do more than pop balloons. I bet her students will remember this for the rest of their lives.
xtianne
September 19, 2006 at 3:51 am (18 years ago)If I was one of your sister’s students, I wonder what my high-school self would’ve associated with my balloon.
jey
September 19, 2006 at 6:59 am (18 years ago)thank you for this very inspiring post. it goes well with how i wanted to start my day today and how i want to accomplish what i came here for in cebu. without fear. without guilt. just responsibility. thanks again, toni!
mari
September 19, 2006 at 8:46 am (18 years ago)this is a nice sharing, toni.
sabi nga ni captain planet ” the power is yours”
Sidney
September 19, 2006 at 11:27 am (18 years ago)Nice story.
Interesting.
Maybe I need to go out and buy a balloon !
Leah
September 19, 2006 at 2:18 pm (18 years ago)Very inspiring. Hats off to your sis. I will always remember these two words from now on..
“I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul”
jojo
September 19, 2006 at 5:38 pm (18 years ago)i remember being asked to memorize this in highschool.
i tried to put myself in your sister’s students’ shoes at that precise moment…that is such a heart-tugging activity. hats off to your sis for this very ingenious idea.
Daphne
September 19, 2006 at 7:21 pm (18 years ago)Wow your sister is a very inspirational teacher. It is nice to know that kids nowadays get a well rounded education and develop as individuals as well.
If only I had teachers like her during my high school days I won’t dread coming to class.
Junnie
September 19, 2006 at 11:10 pm (18 years ago)Holding me back – my weight —- and maybe – i wont be using a pin to pop my balloon – I’ll sit on my balloon…instead
You and your sister are inspiring..you girls watch too many “Dead Poet Society” type of films ha?
karol
September 20, 2006 at 8:04 am (18 years ago)i need to buy a balloon and fast!!!
lotsa changes in my life lately, kaya nga sabi ng mga tao sa office, napaka sungit ko the past few days. baka kelangan ko ng 1 million balloons? hehe. 😀 thanks, toni, for this beautiful post. once again. 😀
rach
September 20, 2006 at 11:08 pm (18 years ago)this is a very good excercise for the soul.
i did a similar excercise back in high school. i wrote all my sad thoughts, worries and problems on a white balloon. when i released the balloon, i felt a sense of relief and joy. it made me feel as if i had let go of a heavy baggage.
now that i’ve read your post, i’m inspired to repeat the exercise. perhaps, this time, i will be able to feel that same sense of happiness and relief.
thanks for sharing this toni.
Kay
September 21, 2006 at 8:38 am (18 years ago)Your sister reminds me of 3 teachers I had in high school who were exactly like her. They changed our lives and until now, they have that lasting effect.
Rachel
September 25, 2006 at 12:39 pm (18 years ago)hi ate toni, sensya ang tagal bago ulit ako napadaan dito sa bahay mo. ur post is so reflecting, lalo na ngayon na nasa “low-point” ako. dapat maging matapang din ako para marelease ko ang balloon ko kahit na ayaw ko… i trust God with all my heart kaya alam ko may better ciang plan for me, im so excited looking and moving forward to that plan. Have a nice day. Stay in love!
siena
September 27, 2006 at 10:49 am (18 years ago)Thanks for this one Toni…very special article that gave me a lot of insights.
I’d like to try this with my students, too if your sister won’t mind.
Just a day before my birthday, I also bought one balloon and wrote all my wishes and set it free. I’d like to do it with my students again. And the one you shared if I am permitted.
Thanks again Toni and to your sister, too.
Mabuhay!
siena
October 1, 2006 at 9:10 am (18 years ago)Hi Toni,
I got your reply. Thanks and salamat sa tip. Yes, I will keep it in mind. Salamat din sa sister mo for permitting me. 😀
Take care!