Guest Blog: Wise Words

As we all depart for a summer from a yearend more surreal and challenging than any I have seen in my years as an educator, it is perhaps a propos that we heed Principal Harry Edwards’ (Clearbrook Elementary) wise words below.
~Kevin Godden

Our lives need a balance of ritual and novelty. Rituals are important for comfort, safety, and a sense of routine or predictability. Novelty stimulates, invigorates and is just FUN. Aren't we lucky summer provides the opportunity for both needs to be met?

School staffs need the ritual aspect of summer to re-charge, re-energize and just plain ‘step away’ from the craziness and joy of education. Summers also provide the novelty of a break in our normal school routine and are fun.

Parents need the ritual aspect of summer to reconnect with children through annual vacations and regularly scheduled activities. Too often as parents, we get so caught up in our daily work routine, we forget to purposefully carve out family time. (Then, we say, "Where did the time go? Seems like just yesterday they were entering preschool! They grew up so fast!") Summer forces parents to get some balance and focus on novel fun family time. I can't think of anything more important than that!

For those who know me, they will know my three golden rules in life:
1. Health
2. Family
3. Job

Be sure to take time this summer to reevaluate your rules and be sure they are in the right order. You won’t do anyone any good if you don’t follow rule number one!

Having been through a difficult health period a few years ago, I was reminded and continue to remind others how important it is to take care of you. This year has been a busy and stressful year for many, but not for the same reasons. We have lost some dear friends this year in our school communities. Take time to reflect and appreciate your health and the life it provides you. Be grateful for the opportunities you have in the days and weeks ahead to relax with a good book, or to go outside for a walk with a loved one.

The people who matter most to you likely feel the same way about you. Take care of them and they will take care of you. Whether family by blood or by heart, be sure to take time to tell them how much you love them and appreciate them. This doesn’t need to be with anything monetary. Simple words or actions speak volumes. And be ready! The same people will likely find a way to send the love right back at ya!

Jobs bring people into routines especially if you work in a school. Finding the balance can be difficult to achieve, but know that as a team we will work hard together to meet the needs of everyone involved. We become our own family of sorts. We value and appreciate each member. Hopefully you are in a job that you love as much as I do, and you feel like you are making a difference in the world.

Only you can make the change you want to see in the world. If you want to exercise more, spend more time with your family or get a new job, find a way to make it happen. Life is too short to live unhappily. Take the first steps today to be the person you want to be. Don’t get stuck in the routines and miss out on the novelties!

Enjoy the summer. Enjoy the break. Enjoy family and friends. All too quickly we will be back into the fall routine of school, and thus, begin the cycle again.

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