Don't Give Up

Sigh.  January is still hanging around.

For some reason, January seems to take forever.  Maybe it is the weather,  Maybe it is the post-holiday hangover.  It seems like January is almost TWO months long.

Maybe it is because we hit January 1st with such gusto.  We know the new year is a blank book and what gets written on the pages of that book for the next 365 days is up to us.  We have made resolutions to make it our year...to start eating better...to exercise more...to be more organized.  The list goes on and on.  

Those first few days, we are all in.  We give it our all.  We don't miss a day.  But then something happens.  For most of us it is called life.  And sometimes it gets in the way.  We then end up with a totally different outlook on the new year.

  

Why do we give up?  Why do we allow one bad day to dictate the rest of the year?  Do we think we don't deserve it?  Do we think we can't do it?  What if that thing is one of the things that you were meant to do?  What if that one thing you overcame or accomplished inspired others?  Would you still quit?  How far would you push yourself to be that person who inspires others?

Don't let life get in the way on your journey to make yourself a better you.  Overcome obstacles.  Keep going the course.  Find a way to make it happen.  Enlisted partners in crime...spouses, your children, friends, colleagues...to help you get there.  

This video is a good dose of inspiration during this long month on not giving up on your dreams and desires. Do what it takes to do something you love.

Be Bold. Be Kind. Be Awesome.

Disclaimer:  This is not a political statement.

I want everyone to begin thinking about the upcoming inauguration.  After the election, we heard students make comments to other students about political statements made during the election.  These comments were hurtful to students and I appreciate everyone’s diligence in snuffing them out.  Some of the great things I saw staff doing were:

-Lessons on myths on immigration and prejudice

-Listening for and stopping statements

-Comforting students who may have been worried or stressed about the impact on their lives

I am asking everyone to have their eyes and ears open as we are approaching the beginning of  a new presidential term.  Social media and the television are once again full of strong statements that we may hear some students repeat, while other students may react to them with fear.

Don’t be afraid to visit with a student about their behaviors and its potential effect on others.  I visited with a student today about drawing swastikas.  We had a mini history lesson…what group is that associated with?  What does that group stand for?  Are these your beliefs?  Can you see how this is offensive?  Those few lines drawn in that manner are powerful and not something to “joke” around with.  Don’t be afraid to stop these things and have conversations and lessons on tolerance with students.

I have confidence that everyone here cares for our students.  Be sure to be aware (like what was talked about in the suicide prevention training) and be sure to not be a bystander.  Give more than a “play with someone else”...talk to students who make hurtful statements.  Hopefully we can show all students good in the world and their part in being the good in the world.  Hopefully we can make them see that this environment…this school...is a good and safe place to be.

As Kid President would say, “Treat people like they are people, People!”.

New Year...New Beginnings

Happy New Year!  I hope everyone is rested, recharged and ready to take on 2017.

Jon Gordon has a great list of 20 Tips for 2017.  Like I said before break:  don't try to do them all.  Start small for those small changes will lead to big changes.  You can even print the list as a poster to hang in your room.

http://www.jongordon.com/positivetip/20-tips-2017.html

Have a great beginning to the new semester!