8-31-2018

Mary’s Minute

“Let us always meet each other with smile, for the smile is the beginning of love.”

                                                    ~ Mother Teresa

My message for this week is pretty simple.  It can be summed up in just one word – smile.  A smile is so simple, yet it sends a message to others that we care, and it has personal healing powers for the smiler.

Smiling to spread love like Mother Teresa describes is great, but it is also important to smile for yourself.  As silly as it may sound, smile in front of the mirror. When you wake up each morning, smile.  When you are sad, mad, or lonely, force yourself to physically smile.  When you are ready to cry, smile.  Before you write out a strong email, smile.  When you just have that overall sad feeling, smile.  When you feel overwhelmed, smile.

I talk about how being happy is a choice, but the truth is sometimes no matter how hard we try, we cannot simply will ourselves to be happy.  Smiling is a concrete thing that we can do to help.

I have tried it, and at first it feels awkwardly painful and fake, but as the smile spreads from your mouth to your eyes there is a physical release of tension.  Smiling will not solve all of your troubles, and it may not even totally shift your mood.  I promise you that it will help, even if it is just a little bit. 

                                                      Enjoy your long weekend

                                                                      and smile!

                                                                                             Mary

8-24-2018

Mary’s Minute

“Come in and try the worst coffee one woman on Tripadvisor had in her life.”

                                                                                 ~ Coffee shop sign

This made me chuckle, but then it made me think.  Apparently social media and trip site posts can make or break businesses, so a comment on Tripadvisor citing the “worst coffee” could be a real problem for a coffee shop.  The owners decided to embrace the criticism and use it for a laugh and a sort of publicity.  In other words, they took a negative and did their best to turn it into a positive. 

There are bad things that happen in life that are tough to turn around and see any good.  Some things in life are just unexplainable and bad/sad!  Even in those situations, we attempt to find the silver lining.  We strive to use the experience for strength or learning.

In the case of the sign, the coffee shop owners, may have used the criticism to look at their quality control, as well as the impetus for a humorous sign.

In the case of tragedies (and please do not think I am making light of tragedy by comparing it to a coffee shop sign) we gain courage or the motivation to help those in need.  It is tough to see any good in sadness.  The hope is that by pulling together for the good of all, we can make the world better even in (especially in) dark times. 

     

                                                                     Thanks for all you do!

                                                                                     Mary

8-17-2018

Mary’s Minute

“The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence.”

                                                                      ~ Denis Waitley

As humans we are social creatures, naturally dependent on one another.  Our notions of independence are called into question at this time of year when many parents send their children off to college.  Independence is an interesting topic, whether we are talking about our own children, children in our classrooms, or within our own relationships. 

As parents we strive to give our children a strong foundation so that they can become independent adults.  As teachers we work to create students who can think for themselves and tackle new learning tasks on their own.  Psychology tells us that the healthiest relationships exist when individuals balance independence with their dependence on one another. 

Being dependent on others by providing healthy support is human nature.  We are social beings, who need each other.  Like all things, there needs to be a balance. 

As we send our children off to college, we may struggle with where that healthy balance lies.  Helicopter parenting goes too far one way, yet we also know that our children always need our unconditional love.  The same is true for the children in our care. 

                                                           Have a great week!

                                                                       Mary

8-10-2018

Mary’s Minute

“If you stay ready, you won’t have to get ready.”

           

When you find out that the Governor of the State of Indiana is going to visit your school three days after the opening day, there isn’t much time to get ready.  Sure, people sprang into action.  Jeremy and Chris made the place shine, Josh Craney and the Commodore Manufacturing team spruced up their facility, Commodore Manufacturing team leaders rehearsed their presentation, and Jody French meticulously worked through the details of the visit.  These adjustments were just icing on the cake.

The Governor and his team liked what they saw and were very complimentary of the work of Perry Central and our business partners, Jasper Engines and Waupaca Foundry.  Our students spoke eloquently about their student-run business that incorporates hands-on production, along with other important skills like, problem solving, safety and team work.  This work didn’t happen in three days.  Our students were ready; they didn’t have to get ready. 

Our students deserve to the best learning opportunities every single day.  We all deserve to live life to its fullest every day.  Don’t wait!  When we do the right things for the right reasons – both in our lives and in our jobs, we will be ready.  We never know the day the Governor is going to visit.  There may not be time to get ready; we need to be ready! 

                                                                Have a great week!

                                                                                  Mary