5-23-2014

 

Mary’s Minute

“Never say goodbye because goodbye means going away and going away means forgetting.”
― J.M. Barrie, Peter Pan

 

This is the time of year of great change.  Seniors graduate and move on with their lives, and staff members retire to enjoy the next phase of their lives.  Goodbyes are not easy, and Peter Pan makes me understand why.  We are happy for people to move forward with their lives, but we never want to forget them or the impact they have made on our lives and on Perry Central.  I personally cry very easily so goodbyes are not easy on me.  I don’t want to say goodbye to Bill Dickerson, Paul Hagman, Becky Hubert, Diana Jones, and Barb Spear.  They have made a difference in my life, and they have left a positive mark on Perry Central.  We will simply say, so long for now, and we will never forget!  

                                            Have a great summer and thanks for all you do!

                                                                                    Mary

5-16-2014

Mary’s Minute

“Sometimes crying or laughing are the only options left, and laughing feels better right now.”  

                                                                 ~ Veronica Roth

“I love people who make me laugh. I honestly think it's the thing I like most, to laugh. It cures a multitude of ills. It's probably the most important thing in a person.”   

                                                           ~ Audrey Hepburn

When I think of life’s gifts one of the greatest may be the ability to laugh.  I love the Veronica Roth quote because we all have had times in our life that we don’t know whether to laugh or cry.  Sometimes our brains do not give us the chance to choose, and tears just start flowing.  Given the choice, laughter is certainly a better option.   There is evidence that supports the notion that laughter truly does help cure ills.  Laughing really can make us physically feel better!   As we go about our daily lives, it is great if we can find humor in life, we will be healthier and happier.  If we can laugh at ourselves we are even better off.  I am happy to make people laugh – it is best if they can laugh with me, but I will settle for people laughing at me.  The important thing is that we laugh.  Diana Jones is a beautiful example of someone who loves laughter.  With Diana’s retirement, we will miss the sound of her contagious laughter in the first grade hallway.  Laughing does not mean that we do not take life seriously.  It just means that we choose to be happy and spread happiness. 

Have a great week!

Mary

5-9-2014

Mary’s Minute

“The will to win, the desire to succeed, the urge to reach your full potential... these are the keys that will unlock the door to personal excellence.”  ~ Confucius

This time of year we spend extra time honoring excellence.  Last night Perry Central hosted Academic Honors Night, and today the Commodore Pride celebration will be held.  In addition, this week we celebrate “Appreciation” Week at PC.  These opportunities allow us to reflect on motivation, considering how we can best challenge our students and ourselves to work to our fullest potential.  Confucius points out that one key to motivation is an internal desire to win, but we also must consider ways that external forces can contribute to motivation.  What motivates our students to excel?  What makes Perry Central staff members go the extra mile to make a difference for our school community?  We believe that positive reinforcement is a factor that motivates, which is why we recognize excellence in students in many ways, such as posting their pictures on our website, by handing out medals on Honors Night, and by celebrating accomplishments at the Commodore Pride celebration.  We want our students to know that we recognize and support their accomplishments, so that they will be motivated to continue down the same path.  The same principles are true for adults.  What makes Perry Central great – what makes it a caring place, is quite simply our people.  People make a difference.  Our goal is to continually provide positive reinforcement for all the good that goes on at Perry Central.  During Appreciation Week, and always, please know that what you do is valued.  What you do makes a difference! 

                        Have a great week!

                                           Mary

5/2/2014

Mary’s Minute

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel, not a destination.”

~Roy Goodman

“The purpose of our lives is to be happy.  If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion.”

~ Dalai Lama

I hope you have had a chance to watch the Perry Central Happy video that was created by Perry Central students. http://www.pccs.k12.in.us/happy.html  It brings to the forefront the notion expressed by the Dalai Lama that our purpose in life is to be happy.  On first glance this seems like a selfish thing to say because some may contend that our purpose in life is to serve others.  The Dalai Lama clarifies this by explaining that in being kind to others we will not only make others happy, be we will also find our own happiness.  George Couros provided me with an interesting perspective on happiness when he said, “Don’t talk about balance; talk about happiness.”  We hear a lot of talk about the need to seek balance in our lives, but when we think about people who are truly happy, often it is not about balancing or compartmentalizing their lives; it is about following their passions.  It is about seeing happiness in all we do and following. It is about taking Roy Goodman’s advice and seeing happiness as a way of living, not a lofty goal.  In many ways being happy is choosing to see the good in life and giving ourselves permission to be happy, believing that we deserve happiness.  Being happy is about following our dreams and being grateful for all the gifts – small and large in our lives.  Being happy can be as simple as allowing ourselves to sing and dance to a peppy tune.  With that in mind, I will close where I started.  If you have not seen Perry Central’s Happy video of the Pharrell song, please take a look and Be Happy!

                                                                             Have a happy week!

                                                                                  Mary