December 8, 2008

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about things for which I am thankful and finding things to celebrate each day. With the daily news blaring about war, financial turmoil and dire warnings of our future, I have had to try harder to be positive.  I admit there have been stumbling blocks along the way.  A highly respected school board member recently died unexpectedly, a spouse of another suffered a serious health issue, staff members have had close ones fall ill and some have died. . . the list goes on.  It is tempting to let myself focus upon this grief but just as I am spiraling downwards, I find moments of pure joy:  a children’s play where our student actors sing and dance with glee, conversations with a colleague about a child overcoming incredible obstacles, the first snow flakes of winter –falling pure and welcomed. As adults, we carry tremendous responsibilities that can seem like burdens; our “backpack” of worries can produce a tunnel vision of reality that is gray and sad.   I think it takes a great deal of energy to bring another focus into play—one that looks beyond our present fears and into a horizon of hope.  Sometimes we need a trigger to stop our descent.  For me, each time I walk downstairs to see our teachers working with students helps me to refocus on my purpose.  I invite you to participate in the wonderful “happenings” at our schools, I feel certain you will relish the joy that comes from the experience.