Consent

Yesterday I was pondering the term ‘Consent’. I say term because the particular word describes a concept and the same meaning as a verb and a noun:  Permission for something to happen.  I was thinking about it because on Thursday I arrived at work just like any other day.  Began my morning ritual of organizing my thoughts on the most pressing items to tackle. I wasn’t at work long before I began feeling really poor.  Not in an emotional sense, but a general unwell feeling physically. After about 20 minutes, things weren’t improving, they were degrading, so I decided to inform the team that I was bowing out for the day. I bring this up not to troll for some sort of sympathy, but to lead into my point about consent. I know many of you share my feelings when I say, I hate not being at school. Understanding this, it is the season however for all kinds of viral infections. This year I have experienced a few, which makes me even more frustrated. That feeling doesn’t help. We all catch the cold, flu, or have life happen to us in adversarial ways. I usually have to coach myself out of irritation by giving myself consent. Simply put, I give myself consent to rest, consent to rehabilitate, and consent to revive. This idea of self consent is unusual, but not new. It is about releasing and treating your own needs and limits with respect. It is the embodiment of the idea of actually ‘taking care’ when you hear the salutation of “Take care”.  We have to understand that when we do not give ourselves consent to recover, we are operating as less than. Using a sports analogy, we are ‘playing hurt’ or ‘not at 100%’.  Just remember, 50% of you is still only 50% of you. We can’t give 120% like some sports figures would like us all to think. There is only 100% and when it is cut down, we are left with less than. Simple math. With all that, I consent to being well and I wish the same for all of you. Have the most excellent weekend and stay dry. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Ant Clemons and Justin Timberlake - Better Days).

Until next time...

Thanksgiving Break

We made it to Thanksgiving break. Whew! What a time for a break.  It couldn’t come at a better time. Though the holiday season begins with Halloween, it certainly speeds up after Thanksgiving. Though I love all the holidays, Thanksgiving is my favorite.  Of course the food has its appeal, but for me it is more about the people. It’s a time where we can pause, take a moment to truly slow down and give thanks for everything and everyone around us. Growing up, I always remember my parents inviting people over for a big Thanksgiving feast. Many times, these people were Airmen from the local Castle Air Force Base. They were a long way from home and their families, so my parents welcomed them with open arms. Due to the kindness of my parents, these people became part of my extended family and are spread out all over the country. When I get the chance to talk to them, they always remember the Thanksgiving we spent together and the impact of the gesture. Because of that, I understand that giving thanks means being thankful for those around us. It is taking the time to reflect on how important the bonds are that we make in the relationships that we build. It is more than just a meal. Soon, Thanksgiving will be over and we will be dropped into the middle of “Tis the Season” where stores will be packed with people. Temperaments will rise as temperatures drop. Until then, I’m simply going to kick up my heels a bit, be thankful, and enjoy those people around me. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and an exceptional week. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Pharrella - “Happy”) .

Until next time...

Costumes

It was so wonderful seeing the kids dressed in all their costumes on Halloween.  What a wonderful time! I know the holiday is not the favorite of many sometimes, teens can get into mischief, but I enjoy the night.  Though I have never been a costume guy, I can appreciate those that participate.  The time and effort is commendable. The truth is, it is a comfort thing. Costumes always make me want to fidget. I’m not saying I would never wear one, I’m just saying that it would have to meet the primary standard of comfort. So enough about my hang up on costumes, let’s get back to the point. Just for the record, I know the evening is for the kids, but I enjoy seeing the teens that visit my house with an open bag. Some say the teens should not involve themselves in ‘Trick or treating’.  I feel that when they are visiting homes filling their bags with treats, they certainly are not elsewhere involved in some undesirable behavior. If they want to hold on to being a kid for a few more years, why not. The time is fleeting and they shouldn’t surrender to adulthood too quickly. Enjoy being a kid. In due time, young adulthood will emerge and remove them from our doorsteps only to give way to more youth. More fun costumes worn by timid little ones.  Just the thought brings a smile to my face.  It truly is a great evening to kick off our holiday season. Have the most excellent weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Corey Hart - “Never Surrender”.

Until next time...

Whatever will be, will be...

Does anyone know what ever happened to the times of ‘Qué será, será’?  I ask that for a very specific reason however, I need to give some background. When I was young and impressionable, my parents would regularly tune one of our four television channels to the famed Doris Day Show. The program was a favorite in my house for two reasons, my parents were big fans of Doris Day and San Francisco, the setting of the show. I have a vivid memory of seeing Doris Day in the opening credits jumping from a cable car as the song played. Thoughts of the show itself invoke good feelings for me however my memories of specific items are limited at best. The laissez-faire attitude that everything will be alright brings me to my point. As we grow into adulthood, we sometimes forget that our outlook can depend on our attitude.  As the song promotes, “Whatever will be, will be’. The future’s not ours to see, Qué será, será” The point hits home with me. So many times, like so many others, I fuss about what I cannot control. In my personal life and in my professional life, I do my best in any situation to meticulously plan for success while at the same time prepare for the alternative. I certainly never just say “Whatever will be, will be.”  Those days are gone and I’m not really sure when they vanished. Have the most excellent weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Doris Day - “Que Sera, Sera (Whatever Will Be, Will Be)”.

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Keeping the Faith

We have reached the middle of October and the weather is about to turn. We all know the seasons in the Valley are limited.  We go from hot to mildly hot, then shift to cold and wet fog cold. We really don’t get the benefit of the four seasons as the rest of the Country.  Though this is the case, we will reminisce about the weather just as much as we reminisce about everything else.  Yes, when we were younger, the weather was perfect.  The Hall of Fame singer has an autobiographical song about reminiscing, “Keeping the Faith”.  In the song, he reminds us that the “good ole days weren't always good, And tomorrow ain't as bad as it seems.”  So true.  When we reminisce, it is human nature to remember the things that were good and discard all the bad. Sometimes, bad memories stick and unfortunately, only time will heal that pain. Because of this, it is so important for us to engineer great memories for our students. The negative ones will be thrown out because even the most challenging student desires good memories. Even in the difficult times for our students, we have to remind them that “tomorrow isn’t as bad as it seems.” This is simply a measure of hope.  Keeping the faith that their dreams are still achievable. So just remember, the good ole days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems. Have the most excellent weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Billy Joel - “Keeping the Faith” ). 

Until next time...