11-30-2018

Mary’s Minute

“The world is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.”          

                                                                                  ~ Bertrand Russell 

I recently wrote about how believe it is good to follow our feelings to make decisions.  I included in my column that my son, Bill, doesn’t share my belief in intuition.  I shared with him that I had written about him.  He quickly corrected me saying that he did believe in intuition and went onto explain that our definitions of intuition probably differ.  He explained that for him intuition is making decisions based on subconscious ideas and analyses, not “magic” (insert snarky look).    

I think he is right in that sometimes we follow our intuition believing it is a revelation that came from nowhere, when in fact it is based on our subconscious thoughts.  After all, our brains have a lot in them that we surely cannot fully consciously utilize. 

Here is where Bill and I differ.  I also believe in magic or miracles – in the unexplainable.  I think Bill is right that we are guided by subconscious thoughts that feel like they come from nowhere.  I also believe that sometimes our feelings really do come from a place that is unexplainable. 

Rational thought is valuable, and the basis for making most good decisions.  I am not proposing we run our lives and our classrooms by being guided by our feelings totally.  I do believe that sometimes our feelings – our intuition -- can guide us in the right direction.  Sometimes we do what “feels right” because we have the knowledge in our subconscious mind, and other times it is just (insert snarky grin) “magic.”

                                                                        Have a great week!

                                                                                               Mary

11-16-2018

Mary’s Minute

“I believe in intuitions and inspirations…I sometimes FEEL that I am right.  I do not KNOW that I am.

                                                                           ~ Albert Einstein

Albert Einstein is known as one of the greatest scientists of all time, yet even he believed in intuition – in following our feelings.  I recently found myself in a new situation, and I stood perplexed about what to do, wanting to make the right decision.  Finally someone said, “There is no right or wrong way, just do what feels good.”  I quickly became at ease and was able to make a quick decision.  The event quickly passed, but the words stuck with me. They helped me reflect on the value of following your feelings.  I have this debate with my son, Bill, because as a man of science, he does not see the value in intuition that I do.  I argue that just because we do not understand why our feelings are accurate, does not mean that it can’t be true. 

Even Einstein accepted the need to accept what your heart says.  Sometimes it is your first thought, rather than the careful analytical process, that can offer the best direction. 

Intuition is not a license to avoid problem solving or proven research, but it is permission to value our feelings to lead us in the right direction towards happiness, success, helping others, and making good decisions. 

                                                                  Have a great week!

                                                                                 Mary

11-9-2018

Mary’s Minute

“What you do speaks so loud that I can’t hear what you say.”

                                                                       ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

I have smiled this week thinking about the kind students we have at Perry Central.  The most significant incident that made me reflect on this was a visit from the Indianan Department of Education.  Our afterschool programs were both observed as part of a state evaluation process.  In addition to the paperwork review, the state official spent about an hour walking around Lights On and CIA, observing and talking with students.  Her number one take away is that our students are good to each other.  She said that she did not observe a single incident of children being unkind, and sadly she said that when she does these visits she always does.  She observed our students being inclusive and kind to each other.  We know that students are not always kind, but it is good to see from an outside perspective that they usually are.

In addition, I had a couple of routine interactions with students that made me smile this week.  One was watching a young man stop outside the exterior door on his way to the ag building to participate in the pledge and moment of silence.  When I complimented him, he beamed and thanked me.  Right after that a girl held the door open for me and wished me a good day.  I know they are little things, but little things matter and create a culture of caring – and a world of caring.

We certainly want to do things that overtly and systemically support a caring culture; the kindness club is a great example of this.  Obviously, our students’ parents and our caring community are enormous contributors.  But I am incredibly proud of all of you for being role models for our students of how to treat people with kindness and respect.  Your actions speak louder than anything we can say.  You treat each other and our students with kindness each day, and it is reflected in their actions.  Thank you! 

                                                                          Have a great week!

                                                                                        Mary

11-2-2018

Mary’s Minute

“He who moves not forward goes backward.”

~ Goethe

This is a common fairly common expression we all have heard and probably said.  When we embrace a life – both personally and professionally – of continual improvement, the expression has special meaning.

We are either moving towards our goals or away from them.  One concrete way I think about this is with weight loss. For me, I feel like I am either gaining or losing weight!  I would like to think that I could get to a healthy weight and maintain, but for me it just has never worked!

I think the same can be said for accomplishments.  I want to always be moving forward, but in reality there are times that for whatever reason I am not.  When I don’t move forward, I slip a bit back. 

My cousin, who is a motivational speaker and uses juggling and unicycles to illustrate his points, explains that when riding a unicycle you cannot stand still.  Think about it – you either pedal forward or pedal backwards. 

If we embrace Goethe”s guidance, then we must accept that to accomplish our goals, we have to push forward at all times.  There is no neutral, only forward and reverse.  Let’s choose forward!

                                                         Have a great week!

                                                                             Mary