You know, when I
push away from the Thanksgiving table, I know without a doubt I over did
it. Stuffed, and I’m not just talking
the turkey, though some would argue I am a turkey. They might be right. Probably right.
I think most of
us feel like that after a Thanksgiving dinner.
Not the turkey part, but the stuffed part. Who doesn’t?
Turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, cranberries, sweet potatoes,
green bean casserole, pie. Lots of pie!
And then we feel
bloated. More than just full. Mostly, ready to explode.
In Need Of
Balance.
School was
canceled for the past two days. Snow,
sleet, ice. Unsafe for buses and unsafe
for young drivers. Needed to proceed
with caution. Better to be safe.
Nature dumped on
us like it does sometimes. We reacted
and created balance.
Of course, a
pile of work awaits me upon my return.
Observations, the write ups, the post observation conferences. Games rescheduled for another day. Lessons that had been prepared will be taught
another day, but then those lessons taught another day, and on, and on.
In Need Of
Balance.
Sometimes our
words, our actions, perhaps our lack of words and our inactions cause us to be
out of Balance. We tangle with each
other, ourselves. We harm ourselves,
perhaps others, knowingly, mostly unknowingly . . . at least I would hope
so.
There is the
need to gather ourselves, to find our center, to find the mid-point. There is the need to find the Balance between
action and inaction, to find the Balance between words and silence, to find the
Balance between too much and not enough.
Each year, one
of our teachers organizes a food drive to feed those families who might not
have much to eat. Kids and teachers
contribute hundreds of pounds to feed many who just don’t have. This year, our social worker put up a tree in
the staff workroom and instead of ornaments, had possible items that could be
purchased and donated to families who don’t have much or nothing at all. Within 30 minutes, the tree was stripped
clean. All items taken by staff willing
to help contribute. So, she put more
items on the tree, only to find those items taken by willing staff members..
Each year, my
administrative team delivers poinsettias to each staff member as a way of
saying thank you, as a way of saying we appreciate what you do, what you’ve
done. This year, several of my staff
members suggested that we give inexpensive gift cards, such as Starbucks,
Subway. They reasoned that then, those
staff members who want to can give their cards to our social worker who can
then give them to needy families. Pretty
cool idea.
In Need Of
Balance.
We can create Balance. I believe we seek Balance. We have in our nature to be in Balance. We know intuitively when we are out of Balance. We feel it: in our body, in our mind, in our
soul. And I believe it is in our nature
to help others create Balance when we recognize those who are close to us are
out of Balance. And, as adults, it is so
very important to help our children learn to maintain Balance in their lives,
in their souls, and in their minds. Such
a very important lesson to learn. One of
our greatest charges, I think. Our future,
their future, depends upon this.
Something to think about . . .
Live Your Life,
and Make A Difference!
Thank you, Dan. I appreciate it. Joe
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