5-18-2018

Mary’s Minute

“With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.  Be cheerful.  Strive to be happy.”

                                                                      ~ Max Ehrmann

I give credit to Levi Clark for this quote.  These were his closing words in his beautiful eulogy for his brother.  We have had our share of sadness, but when we look around at the physical beauty in the world and all the goodness in people, we must strive to be happy even through tough times.  When things are rough it may be hard to remember, but there is more to celebrate than to condemn; there is more good than evil. 

In life we face obstacles that seem overwhelming, and working with students we sometimes see negativity that creates a feeling of defeat.  Fortunately, even in our lowest moments we can look around and see the goodness in others.  We can see the splendor of nature.  We can recognize the wonder of discovery.

Yes, there is sadness in our world, but there is also the laughter of children.  There is joy in learning new things.  There are rainbows, green grass, blue oceans, and colorful flowers.  Life truly is beautiful!  Strive to be happy.

                                                                  Have a good week!

                                                                                      Mary

5-11-2018

Mary’s Minute

“Be kind; everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

                                                  ~ Plato

In some form of another, most of us have probably referenced this quote in the last few days.  We never know what people are going through.  We never know what internal battles they are fighting.  We never know when the last time we will see someone might be.  We never know the impact of one small act of kindness. 

Being kind may not matter to someone, but why risk it?  Being kind doesn’t cost anything, and it doesn’t take anything away from us.  In fact, the act of being kind, leaves the giver of kindness feeling better. 

Even I am not naïve enough to think that kindness alone can stop terrible things from happening.  It cannot stop the inner-torment that some people face, but it sure cannot hurt.

Life is not always easy.  There are struggles that we cannot comprehend.  Being kind won’t change that, but if our act of kindness can bring one smile or one glimmer of positivity to someone fighting a hard battle, it would be worth it.

Life is complicated, and the only way that I can tackle the complexity is to make it as simple as possible, and for me that is simply to strive for kindness.

                                                          

                                                                 Peace and love,

                                                                                 Mary

5-4-2018

Mary’s Minute

“It is amazing what you can accomplish if you do not care who gets the credit.”

                                                                          ~ Harry Truman

My goal is to use “we” when taking credit, and “I” when taking blame.  When we work towards goals there are undoubtedly individuals who carry more of the burden, but if we put aside credit and think of in terms of “we”, we will  accomplish more. 

I work hard to consciously use “we” instead of “I”. I have to tell on myself when it has gotten me in a bit of trouble.  I have been known to use the term “we” with Jeremy and the maintenance staff when describing work that needs to be done, when obviously they are the ones doing the work!  In that case, I think I need to expand my use of pronouns:  “We” when taking credit.  “I” when taking responsibility,   “You” when expressing gratitude. 

The simple use of pronouns can change the complete tone of a conversation. 

Accomplishments of Perry Central are always those of a team.  Good things happen here because of “we” not “I”.  And like Harry Truman reminds us, when we don’t care who gets credit, even with the subtle use of pronouns, amazing things can happen!

                                                                     Have a great week!

                                                                                       Mary

4-27-2018

Mary’s Minute 

“The only real things in life are the unexpected things. Everything else is just an illusion.”  

                                                                    - Watkin Tudor Jones

We learn from our mistakes, and I think the same is true from the unexpected.  We plan for the norm, but it is the unexpected that provides the opportunity for growth and reflection. We may love it when a plan comes together, but when the experience is over do grow as much as if something unexpected would have occurred to make us deviate from our well thought out vision?

The anomalies in life are what keep us thriving and curious.  When we go to our mailbox, which mail do we reach for first - good news, bad news (bills), or surprises (“I wonder what is in the hand written note?) for me, it is always the unknown that draws my attention.

Just like change is the only real constant, Watkins Tudor Jones reminds us the same is true with the expected. We plan for the expected, but we should expect the unexpected.

The unexpected allows us to be reflective, which fosters gratitude and learning. We reflect on what we can do differently, we reflect on life, and we are grateful. A lesson gone awry, being short-handed, or an accident may not be welcome unexpected occurrences, but they push us to think and grow.  We come up with solutions that otherwise would have been left undiscovered.

Our day may begin one way and in an instant change: an instant that brings on the unexpected. Sometimes in a good way and sometimes not. In either case, we must use the unexpected to learn and be grateful. Grateful that things are not worse, grateful for all the amazing people in the world who step up to help.

Ah... the unexpected. I guess the lesson is that the only thing we can really expect in life is the unexpected!
                    

                                                      Have a great week!

                                                                           Mary

4-20-2018

Mary’s Minute

“If you are tuned out of your own emotions, you will be poor at reading them in other people.”

                                                                                        ~ Daniel Goleman

Emotions are real.  Sometimes we would like to pretend they are not existent because we cannot quantify them like we can intellectual thoughts.  Science is beginning to catch on to the importance of understanding emotions.  More and more books are being written about emotions and how they affect our life and work.  Now we even talk about EQ, like we do IQ. 

Maybe like so many other things in our life, the first step in getting better is awareness. 

The first step in being sensitive to other people’s emotions and reacting in a way that is most beneficial, is to recognize and understand our own emotions. 

I admit that sometimes I think being emotional is a sign of weakness.  We all know that is not true.  We have feelings, and we owe it to ourselves to feel our feelings.  By doing so, we are one step closer to increasing our EQ to be more sensitive in how we treat others. 

As the quote suggests if we can tune into our own emotions, we can better read others.  Feel your feelings, and use that as a starting point to better understand and help others.

             

                                                                     Have a great week!

                                                                                  Mary

4-13-2018

Mary’s Minute

           

"If people did not love one another, I really don't see what use there would be in having any spring."

                                                                        – Victor Hugo

Spring is finally here, we hope, and we are all ready for it!  The sun is shining, flowers are blooming, and trees are budding with bits of green.  These elements alone put a little spring in our step and joy in our hearts. 

Is the change of season enough to make the world a better place?  I think we all agree that a place or a season is not enough.  Spring only has meaning if we have love in our hearts.  In fact, all things that bring happiness only really matter, if we first love one another.

Loving one another has a lot of different elements.  It relates to little things like being kind and polite to those around us.  It means being committed to causes that help others.  It can mean making our life’s work focused on helping others.  It is a spirit of joy within us that spreads to others in all we do.  Without that inner joy – without that love for one another - spring is meaningless.

When you see new growth pushing through the warm earth and cast your eyes across the horizon where blue skies touch green trees, reach deep in your heart and rejoice that spring is here, and especially that our love for one another gives spring meaning.

                                                                   Have a great week!

                                                                                      Mary

4-6-2018

Mary’s Minute

“Better to do something imperfectly than to do nothing perfectly.”

                                                         ~ Robert H. Schuller

A few months ago I fell in love with the color of a kitchen in a magazine.  I tore the page out and imagined painting my kitchen and dining room the exact hue.  After toting it around for a few months, I went to my brother’s paint store and had the paint mixed.  As I started painting my walls, I was not as convinced as I was in the magazine, but I decided that it was better to do something wrong than to do nothing at all! 

A few days ago I found myself in a situation where I wanted to talk to someone, but I didn’t know what to say.  I had a sleepless night living with regret of staying silent.  I found myself thinking of my painted walls – better to do the wrong thing than to do nothing at all.  In that moment, sadly I did nothing.  

Sure we like to do things right.  Working towards perfection is something for which we strive, but I would rather live with making the wrong move than that of making no move.   After all, making mistakes is part of the learning process, so if what we do is right, it is a win.  If it is wrong, we learn from it. 

The burning question you all have is: do I like my paint color?  I actually think I do!  The even better news is that I have not injured myself painting my very high walls!

                                                               Have a great week!

                                                                                 Mary