5-20-2022

 

Mary’s Minute

 

“Accepting help is its own kind of strength.”

                                                                           ~ Kiera Cass

I think many people can relate to how difficult it can be to ask for/accept help.  We love to help others, and we even recognize the joy we experience by giving of ourselves to others.  Reciprocating by allowing others to help us, is not as easy.

I remember when my son, Bill, was a strong-willed toddler, I would often say to him, “Part of being independent was knowing when to ask for help.”  I need to remember my own words, and not see accepting the kindness of others as a sign of weakness.

Part of being independent is knowing when we need to depend on others.  We are social beings – and we need each other.  It is not only okay, but a form of giving.

By graciously accepting help from others, we allow them to feel the same joy we receive from giving of ourselves.  It just doesn’t sound right, though!  “I’m going to ‘let you’ help me so you can feel good about yourself – go ahead and knock yourself out, and then you can thank me for giving you the joy of doing a good deed for me!”  I know that is extreme, but it still just doesn’t seem right to me. 

Not long ago, when I reluctantly asked my kids for help, my oldest son, Jess, said, “Mom, you help us all the time, so let us get joy from helping you.”  My sarcastic thought came to my mind, but I am going to work on accepting it with grace and gratitude. 

                                                                         Have a great week!

                                                                                 Mary

 

5-13-2022

 

Mary’s Minute

"I wasn't just going to walk, I was going to run. And then, once I stopped running, I was going to dance."                                                                           – Robert Battle

One of my favorite stories as an elementary teacher involved conversation I overheard of a kindergarten boy who was moving quickly down a hallway, only to be stopped by a concerned teacher.  The teacher said, “No running in the hallway,” to which the tot responded without missing a beat, “I’m not running; I’m skipping.”  As I reflect, I am lumping dancing and skipping into the same category.  To me they are both ways to move that are more fun than walking or running.

As I get closer to a transition to winding down my career as a school superintendent, I was drawn to this quote about dancing.  Metaphorically speaking, first we walk through childhood, then we run through adulthood, and finally we figure out that we should dance!  I like to think of dance both literally and metaphorically as a great way to live!

Last week my sister and I had the privilege of vacationing with our mom and her husband.  On the last night of the trip, we were sitting on the deck overlooking the ocean and decided to crank up some dance tunes.  We all ended up dancing awkwardly (well, at least me) as the waves crashed in the background.  It felt good physically and emotionally, and it also was a great way to feel connected. 

Back to the notion of going from walking to running to dancing.  I’m ready to focus more on the journey, then the destination.  Walking and running focus on getting somewhere, but maybe we should just dance and enjoy the process! 

I hope you dance!  Have a great week!  ~ Mary

 

5-6-2022

 

Mary’s Minute

“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

                                       ~ Mahatma Gandhi

So much in life is about balance.  I for one, vacillate constantly.  For instance, one day, I worry about saving money for the future and the next, I think, “Life is short, so spend!”  Gandhi has it right in that we need to live with an attitude of virtue that we could die tomorrow and feel we have lived a good life, while at the same time, learning/planning for a long a bright future. 

The balance is not easy, but it is possible especially when we find work that brings us joy while contributing to making the world a better place.  Finding joy while serving others is truly a way to live a life of balance that Gandhi suggests.  Educators have a special opportunity to find that balance!

I recently talked to a researcher working with at-risk youth.  One of his current projects has high school students engaged in writing prompts that help them learn about their core values and then live by them.  At-risk youth who live a life that aligns to their values are more successful (more likely to graduate from high school, get good grades, go to college, etc.) than their peers who did not stay true to their values. 

Living our best lives is about believing in something and staying true to it!

            Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!

                                                                        Mary