What Kind of Player Are You?

Senator John McCain passed away this weekend after an 18 month battle with brain cancer.  As I read posts of condolences on social media and viewed interviews, it is evident this was a remarkable man.  Whether you agreed with his politics or not, you have to acknowledge this man was dealt a hand in the game of life that he played amazingly.

John McCain was the son and grandson of four star Navy admirals.  Many people would look at that being dealt a royal flush in life.  It could have been the card he played when he entered the Naval Academy.  But he didn't.  In fact, he graduated 894th out 899th cadets.  Fifth from the bottom.  He didn't try to cheat the game.  He accepted the fact that despite being a very smart man, he probably didn't play the game to the best of his ability.

After leaving the academy, he began his training as a naval aviator.  He was sometimes considered reckless and not the best pilot.  He knew to succeed in the game, he need to practice.  He needed to focus.  He knew he needed to be a good teammate to those in his company.  While serving on the USS Forrestal, there was a huge fire and explosion.  McCain escaped with injuries after trying to help save another pilot and losing 134 of his teammates.

McCain hit the news again after he was captured in Vietnam as a prisoner of war.  His plane was shot down, breaking both arms and a leg.  He was dragged from a lake and sent to a POW camp in Hanoi.  He was given medical care only when it was found out that his father was a admiral.  The care was poor and after returning to a camp, he was place in solitary confinement for TWO years.  It was during this time his father was made Commander of all forces in the Vietnam theater.  Due to this the North Vietnamese were ready to let him go.  What a big change in the game for him!  It was like drawing a "wild" card in Uno.  Did he play it?  No.  He stated if he should be release then all prisoners should be released.  This move in the game caused him to undergo serve hourly beatings. (Due to these beatings and poor care, he was permanently incapable of raising his arms above his head.  While in office, he spoke out against torturing POWs.  He could have very easily played the game of "you did it to me...I'll do it to you".  He did not.)  He was a POW for over five years.  Five years of playing a game you had no control over.  Playing a game he did not want to play.

After coming home, McCain entered the game of politics.  What a game that is!  You hear so much about people cheating at the game.  People don't always play fair or follow the rules.  People try to bend the rules in their favor, not always thinking about the other players in the game.

Was this a political post?  No.  What it was is an example of how at times the cards you are dealt stink.  You have two choices.  You can play the game or you can quit.  But if you chose to play, you have to play all in and play the game right.  There were many times when things were tough and the game for McCain could have been changed by him bending the rules or not thinking of his teammates.  He played the game with the hand he was dealt.

Go back to the little piece of paper I gave you on the first day:

"Life is a game of cards.  You did not invent the game...nor did you frame the rules.  You have no control over the cards dealt to you.  But you are there to play.  A good player, even with a bad hand of cards, will play well and emerge a winner.  A bad player, even with the best of cards will play badly and lose.  How are you playing?"

How are you playing?

"It is your character, and your character alone, that will make your life happy or unhappy.  That is all that really passes for destiny.  And you choose it.  No one else can give it to you or deny it to you.  No rival can steal if from you  And no friend can give it to you.  Others can encourage you to make the right choices or discourage you.  But you choose." -John McCain

Are You in the Game?

Tired.

So tired.

I don't think there is any amount of sleep training that can prepare you for how exhausted the first week back is.

I know you are tired.  I know these five days have seemed to take a long time.  I told the story that I woke up on Tuesday SURE it was Thursday or Friday because of how tired I felt.  I know your feet are probably hurting from wearing real shoes.  I know that wearing pants with a zipper and snap are an adjustment after yoga pants and shorts all summer.

But let me ask you this:

Are you in the game?

Are you playing?

Are you putting your all in?

Are you adjusting your game based on the players in your room?

Are you coming to school happy?

Are you being a good teammate?

Are you having fun?

I am hoping you can answer yes to those questions after this week.  I hope that five...six...twenty weeks down the road you can answer yes.  Don't loose the commitment you put forth this first week.  Keeping that attitude, those expectations, and that enthusiasm will ensure your room doesn't turn into "The Hunger Games" a few weeks down the road.  

Keep playing the game!

Be Kind This Year

It pains me to let you know that break is over.  The time to recharge your batteries, to enjoy the outdoors, and to do what ever you want has come to end.  

I spent the summer coming to work, camping, reading, and going to the movies.  While "The Incredibles II" was amazing, perhaps the best movie I saw this year was a documentary.

The message was powerful.  The message was simple.  

Be kind.  Do all things with kindness.  Let people know they matter.

I think these are three simple rules that we can apply to our school year.

Be kind.  

Be kind to those around you...whether they are your co-workers or your students.  Some times we have to lead with our heart.  We have to know our students.  We have to know that many are coming with big baggage.  We have to be understanding.  I am not saying be a pushover (and I don't think that Mr. Rogers would say that either).  Be the person a kid or staff member can come to when things get rough and they need support or have questions.

Do all things with kindness.

It is hard to be good all the time.  It is hard to be nice all the time.  But it does make a difference in your heart and the heart of others.  Sometimes sugar attracts more flies than vinegar.

Let people know they matter.

We may be the only adults some of our kids see for the majority of their day.  Some may not see a parent.  We have to let them know we are happy they are here.  We have to let them know that we want them to grow.  We have to let them know that even when they mess up, we still care.  

We are a team in a world that is filled with anger and doubt...a scary place to be an adult in.  Can you imagine it as a child?  Mr. Rogers built a following that continues to this day by following these simple principles.  How great would it be to be remember the same way he was?  There were numerous people, including myself, crying during this movie.  We remember a man who loved everyone and for many was the first example of genuine good and kindness they were exposed to as children.  Work on being remembered as a doer of good...a doer of kindness...a doer of what is right for our children. 

"Imagine what our real neighborhoods would be like if each of us offered, as a matter of course, just one kind word to another person.  There have been so many stories about the lack of courtesy, the impatience of toady's world. Road rage and even restaurant rage.  Sometimes, all it takes is one kind word to nourish another person.  Think of the ripple effect that can be created when we nourish someone.  One kind empathetic words has a wonderful way of turning into many." -Fred Rogers

Have a fantastic school year!

PS:  Mr. Rogers must be good.  I have blogged about him before:  https://theblackboardofeps.blogspot.com/2014/03/its-such-good-feeling.html)