8-27-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“Crying is all right in its way while it lasts. But you have to stop sooner or later, and then you still have to decide what to do.”

                                                                       ~ C.S. Lewis, The Silver Chair

 This week I embarrassed myself and cried in front of people.  They know who they are, and I apologize again!  It just has been one of those weeks where the tears are just under the surface and burst out without notice. 

I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  My kids laugh about me being a crier.  In fact, sometimes they bet with each other about how soon it will take me to cry in certain situations (like them giving me a nostalgic gift or on a special day). 

Although crying in front of people is awkward, I think tears can be a good release of emotion.  Emotions, or at least mine, seem to be at an all-time high.  I like the C.S. Lewis’ advice, though.  Having an expression of emotion is good, but once we stop crying, we still have to go on – we need to get to work, make decisions, and live our best lives.

Tears may flow, but I promise that I can still work hard and do what needs to be done!

                                                              Hang in there, everyone!

                                                                                       Mary

8-20-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

 “Sometimes you make the right decision; sometimes you make the decision right.”

~ Phil McGraw

I would like to add to McGraw’s quote that when we are especially lucky we make the right decisions in the right way!  Wouldn’t it be nice if we could always make the best decision through a process of which we could be proud. 

We all make decisions every day – both large and small decisions.  It seems like during this past year and a half we have been faced with making even more decisions for ourselves and others.

Is it better to make the right decision or to make the decision through the right process?  Being “right” is certainly important, especially with high stakes outcomes and safety.  By making decisions based on the best available data, by working together as a team, by focusing on a shared vision, and by leading with empathy, we can feel that whether the decision was right or wrong, we followed the right process.  I believe that when we make the decision right, we will more often make the right decision.

Also, at the end of the day as we struggle about whether we are making the decisions that are best for ourselves and others, we can be more satisfied if we know that we made the decision by studying facts, working with trusted partners, being goal focused, and being kind and compassionate.  We still will struggle, we still will worry, and we still may cry, but at the end of the day, when we make decisions right, we will feel better about ourselves and more likely make the right decisions.

                                                                                  Peace and love,

                                                                                             Mary

8-13-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“Life is like a roller coaster. It has its ups and downs. But it’s your choice to scream or enjoy the ride.”       

 

Over the last year and a half, I have often compared my emotions to a roller coaster.  I thought we were stepping off the ride of ups and downs – the ride of fun and horror.  As COVID cases are soaring again with the onset of the Delta variant, it feels like we need to take a Dramamine and brace ourselves once again.  We understand that we are also tired of hearing of the pandemic and sometimes just tired.  We thought surely by now, we would be done talking about COVID.  We are ready to return to normal.  One minute things feel normal, and then suddenly we are jolted by information that makes us feel unsettled.

Now more than ever, I need to remind myself that the one real choice we have is how we react to situations.  We can choose to see the good and enjoy the good in life or we can scream.  Life’s journey is full of ups and downs, but the overall ride is a good one.  Hold on tight to the people around you, and keep smiling through the challenges – enjoy the ride!  We know that in adversity, the best in people comes through.  In tough times, we come together for the good of all.  From challenges comes creative solutions and new ideas. 

The roller coaster ride may not be over, but the choice of whether to scream or enjoy it still remains within each of us!

                                                              Have a good week!

                                                                        Mary

8-6-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.”

                                                              — Chinese Proverb

Of course, this Chinese proverb is metaphorical, suggesting that we can’t regret things we haven’t done, but rather should take the opportunity to act now.  The older I get the more this hits home.  I can also relate to the quote literally, as I recently noticed a tree that I remember being a volunteer seedling nearly twenty years ago.  The seedling has grown into a 6 foot tall perfectly shaped pine tree, which is a reminder to me that had a planted seedlings 20 years ago, they would tower over me now!

As the new school year begins we have a perfect opportunity to start what we might have rather started 20 years ago (or even one or two years ago), remembering it is never too late to start anew!

Life has a wonderful way of giving us many opportunities for new starts:  each sunrise, a new season, and a new school year!

Now is the time to do more of what makes you happy, to try new instructional strategies, to start a new hobby, or even plant a tree!

                                                                        Welcome back!

                                                                                   Mary

5-28-2021

 

 

Mary’s Minute

“Don’t cry because it’s over; smile because it happened.” 

~ Dr. Seuss

My kids will tell you that I am a crier (not a town crier), but someone who cries!  Seldom do I cry tears of sadness – usually they are tears of joy, pride, and often nostalgia.  Nostalgia is defined as a wistful affection for the past, and certainly on days like graduation, retirement, or the last day of school we look back with affection for the past.  It doesn’t mean that we are not excited about the next chapter in life or the upcoming summer, but we are grateful for what we experienced.

I cried a few tears at my daughter’s graduation last Sunday and I cried each time I had the privilege of moving my three children into college.  I wasn’t sad on these days – and I wasn’t even sad that their childhood was essentially over.  I was affectionate for the past – appreciative that I have the great joy of being their mother and experiencing their childhood and these special days in their lives.

As school closes for the summer, and some people say good bye to a chapter of their lives through graduation, retirement, or other life changes, we may shed tears.  We are not crying because it is over, but crying because of the sweet joy that it happened, looking back over the year(s) with sweet affection.

                                                   Have a great summer!

                                                                        Mary

5-21-2021

 

Mary’s Minute

“One of the most sincere forms of respect is actually listening to what another has to say.”

                                                                                 ~ Bryant McGill

Most of my weeks are full of a lot of meetings.  During meetings I do my share of talking and admittedly, some multi-tasking.  As I was sitting in a meeting with a group of colleagues working through towards solutions, I caught myself talking too loudly, and it struck me how I need to talk less and listen more – truly listen.  And not talking is not the same as listening!

I want to be a better listener for two reasons.  First because I know that I can learn from everyone around me.  Learning is generative, and together we are always better.  Multiple perspectives and ideas are what make us better.  The second reason I want to be a better listener is that a way to be respectful.

 A goal I always have it to be kind – and to show people that I truly care about them because I really do.  In that moment, sitting in one of my fifteen meetings of the week, I realized that being a better listener is not just about synergy, but also about kindness! 

In other words, listening is a skill that can help me achieve two important goals I have:  being kind and generating creative ideas!  It seems like an easy choice!

 

                                                                      Have a great week!

                                                                                  Mary

5-14-2021

Mary’s Minute

“At the end of the day people won’t remember what you said or did, they will remember how you made them feel.”

                                                                        ~ Maya Angelou

This is one of my favorite quotes and ideals, and as the school year winds down I think it is good to reflect on the impact we have on people.  Whatever our job, there is no denying that we have to get the work done – teachers have skills to teach, office workers have paper work to complete, grounds people need to mow the lawn, and so on.  The “work” is important, but the relationships we build, or as Maya Angelou says, the way we make people feel, are what people remember and how we make an impact.

We have much to say and much to do, and how we say it or do it, is what will stay etched in people’s memories.  When we say and do kind things, we can make people feel loved and appreciated.  When we provide words of encouragement we can make people feel confident. 

We spend a lot of time planning what we will say and what we will do, but it is also important to think about how our words and actions will leave people feeling.  It is important and even scary to realize, the emotions that we leave people feeling are what they will remember.

 

                                                             Have a great week!

                                                                                   Mary