Mindful Monday: You Give Me Hope

As we near the end of 2021, I'm sure many of you, like myself, will be reflecting on all that the year held for us: the good, the great, and the things we'd rather forget. 

In the last few weeks, there has been yet another school shooting, and the reports of threats and guns on campuses seem to be nonstop. 

It's easy to think "those parents" have failed their child. "Those children" were never going to be productive members of the community. 

My question is, when did "those children" stop being "our children"? 

Somewhere along the way, it seems that our society has shifted from what's good for the whole to what's best for me. The idea that many make decisions based on what is best for themselves or what will get them ahead regardless of how it affects others is nothing short of a sad state of affairs we find ourselves in. 

The quote below from Lilian Katz is profound. "We must recognize that the well-being of our own children is intimately linked to the well-being of all other people's children." The way I read it, she is essentially saying that we are only as strong as our weakest link. If we don't care for others' children, then we are dooming our own children. 

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Aside from a parent, a teacher is the most influential person in a child's life. Each interaction and relationship developed is impactful. Every smile, even if it's behind a mask, every fist bump, every "way to go", every "I'm so glad you're here" leaves a lasting impression. Our influence is undeniable. It is ONLY when "those children" become "our children" that we will know we are moving in the right direction. 

As we wrap up 2021, thank you for taking the time to get to know each and every one of our students. Thank you for investing in our future. And thank you for caring for all of our children. YOU are what's right in our world. Teachers, like YOU, give me hope! 

Let us not be quick to forget the struggles of this year. Let us not dismiss the lessons learned. Instead, let us embrace one another and make each other better. Afterall, when one of us fails, we all fail. So instead of stepping over thoses that have fallen, extend a hand and help them up. 

Here's to a 2022 where we extend each other more grace, where kindness is the norm, and where we are happy for others. 

Mindful Monday: Believe in My Belief

We're nearing the end of another calendar year. And just like at the end of any other year, we find ourselves looking back and reflecting on all the ups and downs we endured. And when looking back on 2021 in particular, it's easy to feel like this year was a loss, that maybe you haven't been as successful as other years, that maybe this isn't what you imagined life would look like or even that maybe this isn't for you. 

However, I know differently! I know with every fiber of my being that you are exactly right where you need to be. You are HERE because there is a student that depends on you, a co-worker that needs you, and a family that counts you among their blessings. Regardless if you believe me or if you feel the same way or not, I believe it! 

Les Brown once said, "Sometimes you have to believe in someone else's belief in you until you can believe in yourself."

And so, as you reflect on this year, if you are questioning your why or wondering if you have it still in you to make it through the year, KNOW that I KNOW you do! I have had the privilege of getting to know each and every one of you on this campus over this last semester and it is without hesitation that I believe in you.

I believe in the difference you are making each day.

I believe that you are leaving an impact.

And I believe that we are here together for bigger reasons that have yet to be revealed to us.

If you don't believe, I believe enough for the both of us!

Simply believe in my belief.

Mindful Monday: Human BEing Not Human Doer

We are called Human Beings, not Human Doers. And yet, we find ourselves consumed by all we have to do. 

As educators, we wear a multitude of hats. The hats we wear often lead to a laundry list of things that must get done. This time of year, especially, can make us crazy with all the additional tasks: decorating, gift buying, wrapping, baking, traveling, etc. 

Too often, we focus on everything we have to do which inevitably makes us feel frazzled when trying to find the time to do it all. When we become fixated on the day-to-day tasks, on our checklists, and the next deadline, it's easy for us to lose our joy. The daily grind can easily weigh us down. And in a profession where instant results are a rarity, it's completely understandable to not feel like you are making a difference, or even worse, you're not cutting it.  

And so I plead with you, hear me when I say: 

1) You are ENOUGH and no one expects you to do it ALL 

2) Attempting to do it all does NOT make you better or happier or more successful 

3) You ABSOLUTELY make a difference everyday in ways you can't even imagine

Regardless of how many tasks that are left undone on your checklist, regardless of how ready you may or may not be for the holidays, and regardless if you have crafted the perfect lesson, find the time to BE and not just DO. 

This time of year, while often stressful for many, can absolutely be magical if we only take the time to notice the small things and enjoy it. Find your joy!

I challenge you, instead of a Human Doer, let's revert back to Human BEings and just BE! 

* BE Kind * BE Present * BE Grateful *

It's when we remember to breathe and just BE that we can give the best of ourselves to both our students and our families. 

I ran across this idea of being a Human Being not a Human Doer from an interview with a high school football coach in a newspaper article earlier this year. His priorities and perspective on life seem to be figured out! If you have a moment, I think it is worth a read. You can check out the full article here.

Last we spoke, I left you with a 14 day challenge to try finding three things to write daily in your gratitude journal. Today marks day 14, and I sincerely hope that you have had an opportunity to use it.  Here's to finding your joy in the small things! 

Mindful Monday: Focus on the Good

It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and focus on the tasks that need to get done. It's also easy to point out what isn't working, what bothers you, and what you wish were different.

Researchers say that on average we spend 53 hours a year complaining. And in life, just like in the classroom, we get more of what we pay attention to.

In a society where we count our money, our weight, our calories, and steps, it's time we start counting our blessings instead.

If we focus on the negative, the negatives get easier to spot and become more abundant. BUT...if we focus on the good, they, too, will become more apparent, and you'll start to notice the positives more.

I am not saying to act like life is easy or simply ignore what's hard. But I am saying that it can be mood altering, and life changing to focus on the good.

Your SEL/Sunshine Committee has gifted every staff member a Gratitude Journal. If the practice of writing in a gratitude journal is not already a part of your daily routine, I challenge you to try it for 14 days.

For the next two weeks, take 2-5 minutes before you go to bed to write down three things you are grateful for. It could be anything from all green lights on your way to work, a team member making copies for you, no line at Starbucks, or your spouse doing the grocery shopping. They don't have to be big things. In fact, I would argue most things in my gratitude journal are little things that made me smile that day, things that I'm grateful for, things that I'm appreciative for that normally I may have overlooked or taken for granted.

I guarantee three things will happen by the end of your two weeks, so says science, not just me.

1) You will begin to focus more on the good that surrounds you.

2) Your stress will decrease.

3) You will sleep better.

On behalf of your SEL/Sunshine Committee, we are grateful for each and every team member here. Your hard work and dedication to ensure our students' success is not going unnoticed. We SEE you, and we appreciate you! We wish you a fantastic Thanksgiving break next week. We hope you take the time to rest and recharge. We are grateful for YOU!

Mindful Monday: An Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is a word that is thrown around a lot during the month of November. And I'd argue that we often only think of gratitude at the surface level: the act of being grateful or thankful. But really, I think the act of gratitude is so much deeper. It is appreciating exactly what you have at the moment; it is being grateful for where you are in your life regardless of where you thought you might be.

Having an attitude of gratitude isn’t always easy.

From an early age, we are often asked what we want to be when we grow up. That seed then sprouts into how much money we envision making, how big of a house we will have, what kind of car we might drive, will we end up married or not, how many kids, and on and on. Unfortunately, it can be a wormhole that we get sucked into, and it can set us up for disappointment when life doesn’t turn out like we envisioned. However, I stand firm in my belief that even when life isn’t what you pictured, it doesn’t mean that you're worse off or that you didn’t get it right.

Hindsight is the ability to reflect and see the bigger picture. It is often in hindsight that we can appreciate or better understand the twists and turns we endured to get where we are. And while reflecting is crucial to grow in understanding and appreciation, I'd say having an attitude of gratitude is even more important. Being able to find appreciation in the moment, especially when it's hard or unclear takes courage and a leap of faith. Having an attitude of gratitude is a daily choice. Choose to find the good. Choose to focus on what you can control. Choose to be grateful for the little things.

If these last 20 months have taught me anything, it is to appreciate the little things because often it is the "little" things that really are the BIG things!

And I leave you with one final thought...

Mindful Monday: Stop Apologizing

I'd argue that each adult in this building is thoughtful, caring and considerate. If you weren't, you wouldn't be in the business of kids. 

But I ask, does being kind, thoughtful and considerate mean that we have to be apologetic all the time? 

How many times a day in your conversations do you find yourself apologizing for something that doesn't perhaps need an apology? "Sorry for bothering you, sorry for venting, sorry for taking up your time", etc... I'd argue that we over apologize and feel unnecessarily guilty, when in fact, we should shift our mindset.

Instead of apologizing, consider thanking. No longer, "sorry for bothering you", try "thank you for taking the time". Instead of "sorry for asking a favor...thank you for your generosity."  

During the month of November, we often reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. So I challenge you this month, instead of apologizing when it really isn't needed, shift your focus to what you are thankful for. Thank the people in your life that make your day a little easier, a little more bearable, and a little sunnier. Thank those in your life that support you, that lead a listening ear, and accept you for you. 

And with that, THANK YOU! Thank you for sharing your talents and time with our school family each day. Our students are better off because of you!  

Mindful Monday: A Fork in a Bowl of Soup

Do you ever feel like you're doing it all wrong? Maybe feel like you are ill-equipped for the job? 

Both the best thing and worst part of teaching is that every day is a new day. I love the fresh start that each day brings. But with that comes many daunting challenges. What worked yesterday, won't necessarily work today, and a lesson from last year may no longer be applicable this year. 

Here's the deal...it's NOT you! It is the nature of this business. Some days teaching is soup, and we're simply a fork. It's an ever evolving target, and the best thing you can do is to give yourself grace.

Teaching requires a lot of tweaking and adjusting. And so if something doesn't work today, it doesn't mean that it doesn't work at all. 

As we navigate through these choppy waters this year, give yourself grace. Give yourself second chances. Give yourself the time and space to try new things. 

Is teaching hard? No doubt! Is this year challenging in ways we've never seen? Absolutely! Are there days that we feel like we're doing it all wrong? Of course! 

But despite being a fork in a bowl full of soup, we push on and try again. Why? Because it's worth it!