In My Life

The other day, I was listening to the Beatles song "In My Life" and it hit a chord with me. In the song, John Lennon sings about the people, places, and memories that have shaped him. As educators, we have the opportunity to be a part of the lives of our students in a similar way. We have the power to shape their minds, inspire their hearts, and guide them on their journey through life. That itself is a powerful thought, especially in high school when memories made are carried forever.  All the more reason for us to realize our impact. As we connect with our students, we must remember that each one is unique and special in their own way. We should take the time to get to know them as individuals, and strive to understand their needs and interests. By doing so, we can create an environment where they feel safe, valued and respected. But connecting with students isn't just about getting to know them as individuals. It's also about providing them with the tools and resources they need to succeed. This means providing them with a challenging and engaging curriculum, encouraging them to take risks and learn from their mistakes, and being available to offer support and guidance when they need it. As educators, we have the opportunity to make a lasting impact on the lives of our students. We can inspire them to follow their dreams and reach their full potential. We are part of their story and we can positively shape them forever. To make a positive impact on the human condition is worthy of a pat on the back. With that thought, have a wonderful weekend. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Beatles - In My Life).

Until next time...

Time to Reflect

Over the Winter break I am allowed time to reflect on plenty of things. With all the craziness going on through the holidays, I kept coming back to one thought: Focus.  It is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves.  Stay focused on the task at hand, the people around us, the issues we can affect, and the life we want to lead. As large as those issues may seem, when we break them down to the root form, they become more simplistic. We should always focus on tasks we have in front of us and prioritize their importance.  We should take time for the people around us.  Those people in our families and those in our circle.  We should listen more. It is amazing the things we can hear when we just actively listen to those near us. We should focus on only the things we individually have the power to change.  Going beyond that simply adds to our stress. Handle what you can handle and let the rest go. Then finally, we should focus on the life we want to lead today, not tomorrow. If there is one thing that I do know, tomorrow is not a given. Personally, I wake every morning thankful I have been granted another day to get it right. With that gift, I try daily to work hard and be nice. Some days I fail miserably, and others I hit the mark, but the goal remains. With that, I wish you all a wonderful 2023 and that each of you find happiness in your own way everyday. On another note, is anyone up to help me build a boat? Have the most excellent weekend and stay dry. Go BEARS!…RiseUP! (cue Michael Franti - Work Hard and Be Nice).

Until next time...

Returning from Vacation

Returning to work after a vacation can be a difficult transition. It's normal to feel a sense of dread or even sadness as you say goodbye to the freedom and relaxation of time off. However, there are steps you can take to make the transition back to work a little easier.

First, try to ease yourself back into your work routine. If you've been away for a week or more, it can be overwhelming to jump straight back into your full workload. Consider starting with a half day or even just a few hours on your first day back. This will give you a chance to catch up on emails and adjust to being back in the office.

It can also be helpful to set aside some time before you return to work to get organized. This might involve updating your to-do list, reviewing any projects that you missed while you were away, and getting your workspace in order. By taking a few minutes to get organized, you'll be better prepared to tackle your workload once you return to the office.

One of the biggest challenges of returning to work after a vacation is dealing with the inevitable catch-up period. It's likely that you'll have a lot of work to do and a lot of people to catch up with, which can be overwhelming. To manage this, try to prioritize your tasks and focus on the most important ones first. It's also a good idea to ask your coworkers or manager for their help in prioritizing your workload.

If you're feeling anxious or stressed about returning to work, try to take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that it's normal to feel this way. It's okay to take a few days to adjust to being back in the office and getting back into your work routine. Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust.

Another way to make the transition back to work easier is to stay connected to the things that you enjoyed about your vacation. This might mean continuing to exercise or eat healthily, or even bringing back a souvenir or two to decorate your desk. These small reminders of your time away can help you feel more connected to your vacation and make your work environment feel a little brighter.

Finally, try to stay positive and focus on the things that you're looking forward to at work. This might include working on a new project, catching up with coworkers, or even just the sense of accomplishment that comes with getting back into a productive routine.

Returning to work after a vacation can be tough, but by taking small steps to ease yourself back into your work routine and staying positive, you can make the transition a little easier. Remember to be kind to yourself and give yourself time to adjust, and don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it.

Until next time...

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)”.

Until next time...