10-21-2016

Mary’s Minute

“Relax!  Life is beautiful!”

                                                              ~ David Wolper

Fall break is upon us, and it is a good time to think about recharging.  Our physical surroundings and life in general truly are beautiful, but sometimes we get so busy that we forget to enjoy them and relax.  Wolper puts it so simply, but also so accurately. 

Sometimes our minds are in overdrive, and we are physically rushing from one priority to the next.  In these times, we it is difficult to slow down and relax.

I read a neat strategy of how to get grounded when life feels frenzied.  Choose an object, preferably a natural object, like a leaf or a flower, and focus on it, taking in every intricacy of it.  By doing this for several minutes our mind is able to unload some of our burdens, and life is reduced to beauty and simplicity.  It makes sense the beach is a relaxing place for many people because at the beach it is easy to focus on the simply beauty of the ocean or the horizon.  We have just as much natural beauty right here in Perry County.  The moon is another natural source of soothing simplicity for me. 

I hope that staff and students can find some time – even just a few minutes can help – to get grounded by enjoying the beauty of nature and in doing so, realize how wonderful life is!  Wherever your happy place is, I hope you find it this fall break in order to relax in the way you deserve.  Thanks for all you do!

                                                          Have a great week!

                                                                                     Mary  

10-14-2016

Mary’s Minute

“The things that change our lives (and the lives of others) are rarely the long-scheduled events, the much-practiced speeches or the annual gala. No, it's almost certain that the next chance you have to leap will come out of nowhere in particular, and you'll discover it because you're ready for it.”
                                                                                         ~ Seth Godin

I read that Michael Jackson was infamous for calling his producer in the middle of the night with ideas. On one of the calls, when the sleepy producer tried to put him off, MJ replied that he had to act right now because if he didn’t Prince would get the idea.  The rather odd notion that Michael believed in was that ideas are out in the universe, and if we do not grab them, they will move on to someone else.  I admit it seems pretty far-fetched, but it also has an element that makes sense to me.  For me, it may not be as dramatic as snatching an idea before it is given to someone else, but as Seth Godin’s words suggest, ideas or opportunities,   come at us when we least expect them, and the key to success is being ready for them. 
I believe that there are no coincidences, which to me is exactly why we always need to be ready and open for when chances jump out at us. 
Ideas that can change our lives and our perspective on life, can grab us.  The key is to not let them slip by, but rather to be open and ripe for discovery. 
Our destiny is out there, but it likely will not come when it is scheduled.  It will come when we least expect it, and the key is that we always need to be ready and open.

                                                      Have a great week!

                                                                                     Mary  

10-7-2016

Mary’s Minute

“One of the oldest human needs is having someone to wonder where you are when you don't come home at night.”                                                         ~ Margaret Mead

I have been watching the Weather Channel quite a bit the last few days in anticipation of Hurricane Matthew slamming the U.S.  I marvel at how at times like this everything stops – meetings are canceled, classes are suspended, scheduled medical procedures are delayed - entire cities come to a halt.  How is it that things that seemed so important yesterday, suddenly do not really matter?  The rhetorical question has a common sense answer (Duh!), a spiritual response (Catastrophes help us focus on what really matters in life.), and also a response directly linked to educational theory.  One of the most well-known educational theories is that of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Basic Needs.  The theory suggests that children cannot learn until their basic needs are met.  Obvious basic needs are food and shelter, but other needs when unmet have an equally devastating effect on learning.  Putting it in the simplest way, children need to be loved before they can learn. 

Jennifer Mitchell did a really cool thing this week, asking elementary teachers to tell three things about Perry Central that they appreciated.  The responses were powerful and heart-warming!  One thing that stood out is that at Perry Central teachers and staff members care about kids! 

Hurricane Matthew and P.C. as a caring community may seem totally unrelated, but just like coastal residents are seeking shelter from a torrential storm, you provide the warm blanket of hope for our students who come to us from stormy lives.  You are amazing!

                                                               Have a great week!

                                                                                           Mary