8-25-2017

Mary’s Minute

“The best things in life are often waiting for you at the exit ramp of your comfort zone. “

                                                                               ~ Karen Salmansohn

As we celebrated Stephen’s retirement this week, Delores had told me that she would prefer if I would just give Stevie the card from his friends in the cafeteria.  When it came time for comments.  I said, “Who wants to talk first?” The question was not intended for Stephen, but he interjected quickly and excitedly, “Delores!”  Delores was vaulted out of her comfort zone!  She was not planning to speak in front of the crowd of 30 or so people, but for Stevie, she did not hesitate.  (Good job, Delores!)

I do believe that we have so much to gain by going beyond our comfort zones, but how do we get there?  In Delores’ case it was for someone about whom she cared – she wasn’t going to disappoint Stevie.  Many times it is out of necessity.  We are forced to deal with things beyond our safe realm by the circumstances that life has given us.  The best way to take the plunge, I believe, is by choice.  Darius Rucker has a new song with refrain, “When was the last time you did something for the first time?” and it really got me thinking of the concept of pushing outside our comfort zone.  I realized that the older we get the harder it may seem to find things we can do for the first time.  No matter what are age, there are always things we can do for the first time.  There are always things to do that push us beyond the place where we feel at ease.  The best things in life may be waiting for us across the edge, so go ahead and take that step outside your comfort zone!  You will be glad you did.  (Just ask Delores!)

                                                               Have a great week!

                                                                                                     Mary

8-18-2017

Mary’s Minute

“There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.”
         ~ George Sand

I have heard it said that there is no such thing as happiness, but only moments of happiness. I disagree.  For me, happiness is just the opposite.  Happiness is not a passing finite and concrete concept; happiness is an overarching being.  I think George Sand sums it up.  We gain a sense of true happiness when we love and are loved.

I think people confuse good times or satisfaction with happiness.  It is great to have fun.  It is important to find satisfaction in life.  Laughter is important for our good mental health.  These are moments that are important in our lives, but these should not be confused with happiness.

Happiness is so much more!  Happiness is about an overall feeling of connectedness to others – a sense belonging, to love and be loved.  Love, which is so much more than romantic love is about caring for others.  It is about feeling like you matter and making others feel that they matter to you.

Moments come and go, but true happiness can dwell within us always when we accept the power of loving and accepting love in return.
                                        Have a great week!
                             Mary

8-11-2017

Mary’s Minute

“No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.”

                                                                      ~ Aesop

Welcome Back!

Kindness matters.  We kicked off the year at Perry Central with two events.  The day before students arrived, all staff members received training on “Trauma-Informed Care,” learning about brain research and specific strategies of why and how to create a caring community. 

Then on the first two days of school, Perry Central hosted Rachel’s Challenge.  This school assembly focused on the power of kindness to change people’s lives with the goal of creating a caring culture.  Rachel Scott was a student killed in the horrific tragedy at Columbine High School.  The tragedy is overshadowed by the power of Rachel’s kindness during her lifetime and of her family’s quest to spread Rachel’s message.  Rachel wanted to create a “chain reaction” of kindness.  Perry Central wants to be part of the chain reaction, treating each other with kindness. 

On the first day of school I walked down the high school hall way greeting students as a strolled.  As I said, “Hello and how are you?” to students, their response back to me was sincere.  Students said back to me, “I’m great.  How are you?”  It may seem small, but it really made me realize how kind and sincere our students are.  Our teachers genuinely care about each other and their students.  For example, one teacher noticed on the first day of school that a student was hungry and did not have shoes that fit.  That night shoes and food were dropped off at the student’s home.  Perry Central is a caring community, and we will continue to work hard to nurture this.  We are not perfect.  We as individuals and a culture can always be better.  We know that kindness matters, and we work to practice it every day.  Thank you for your kindness!

                                                                                          Have a great week!

                                                                                                           Mary