The Lessons Learned from My Dogs

Daisy and Rosie

Staying positive isn't easy. It does take a mindset and determination to not get sucked into the negative talk and culture. Tonight, after a long, short week of work and evening conferences, I am relaxing and looking at my cute, furry family members and think: we can learn a lot from our pets. Daisy, our 8 year-old black and white Miniature Schnauzer, and Rosie, our almost 1 year-old black one, teach me many lessons.

1) Determination
Daisy will sit and stare for up to an hour while my husband sits in his chair watching TV. With the "treat" jar right next to his chair, she waits patiently, sometimes tapping his leg with her paw or even using proximity, until he caves. If we work hard enough and exercise patience, we can make anything happen.

2) Loyalty
Both Daisy and Rosie are loyal to us and each other. It goes a long way when we demonstrate commitment to students, staff, and the community. We also must be loyal to ourselves and our moral compass while making decisions that we feel are supported and best for our students.

3) Rest
Lazy days are needed. Relaxing in front of the fireplace or hanging out in bed an extra hour is a must to re-energize and fill our buckets. It's easy to burn our candles from both ends, but this will increase our susceptibility to negativity. We must stay rested and strong to keep a positive, growth mindset.

4) Play
The same goes for exercise and play time. Taking time for ourselves is key to being healthier and happier. Finding an exercise that is both fun and satisfying can foster accountability to fitness. Play should be personalized (on our own or with loved ones), but we also need to remember to play with the students too.

5) Affection
Both of our dogs love to hug, wrapping their front legs around our necks. Greeting us with crazy, screaming barks and howls at the door always brings a smile to my face. People need to know that they are cared for and about in life. Hugging, praising, and showing kindness will actually support loyalty, work ethic, and satisfaction.

Lessons can be learned from our four-legged friends. It's time to start paying attention to what they are telling and showing us. We can even model these lessons for our staff and students and pass it on to others.

Being and Modeling Positivity: Making the World a Better Place

“Hate. It has caused a lot of problems in this world but has not solved one yet.” – Maya Angelou

Hate is a strong emotion, and hating takes up way too much energy. People make mistakes; it is how we grow, get better, and make the world better. However, some people want to hold on to that poison of hate or failure. When one holds on to such emotions, it can take over our mood, reasoning, purpose, and actions. It is not healthy to hold on to so much negative energy. When we do, many times it has nothing to do with the other person or incident. So much of it has to do with ourselves. Establishing healthy ways to let go of negativity is the best way to stay on the positivity journey. It is never too late to begin the path of a positive outlook and approach. Whether we need a reminder or help getting started, it all starts with loving ourselves enough to realize we are worth happiness and can create happiness in others. We must surround ourselves with opportunities to cancel out the negative in the world. As educators, we need to model kindness, love, acceptance, and overcoming difficult situations. Children learn from our actions more than our words. 

“The only place where your dream becomes impossible is in your own thinking.” – Robert H Schuller
1) Outlook: do not be the person who finds a problem for every solution. Realize that things happen for a reason. Yes, bad things happen to good people, but dwelling on it or letting pain or sadness hold a permanent spot in your heart is not the answer. Decide now that you will not let negative thoughts or people get you down. 

"Surround yourself with only people who are going to lift you higher." -- Oprah Winfrey   

2) People: Surround yourself with people who support you and your outlook on life. Negative people are downers and will only bring you down. Find people who lift your spirits, appreciate you and your talents, and help you though the difficult times. Work to see the good in people. Work even harder to demonstrate your own goodness. 

“The past has no power over the present moment.” – Eckhart Tolle
3) Letting Go: The past is the past. Let it go. If someone did something or something bad happened, why give it the power to consume you? Put an end to the sadness, revenge, hate, etc. by deciding that the energy it is taking is not worth it. It is not worth your attention or life. Focus on new beginnings and a better purpose. 

“If you want light to come into your life, you need to stand where it is shining.” – Guy Finley
4) Fuel the Spark: Find methods that keep you on the positive path. Take care of your spiritual, emotional, physical, and mental self. Keep your bucket full. Find something you enjoy, and do it daily to help replenish your mind, body, and spirit.  

There are always going to be people who are hurtful and negative. If you can help them change their path, great. However, the healing needs to begin from within. You will be surprised how much better it feels to deciding to live a more positive life and refusing to let others define your existence. Stay positive, continue to feed your life with positivity, and have a positive influence on those you surround. Let's all do our parts to keep the world a better place. #BeHappy #LeadPositive #NoPlace4Hate

Positive Outlook on Today's Students

I'd like to think that my husband and I are raising our children right. They are good people. They know about work ethic, respect, and high expectations. They also, like all of today's youth, have never lived a life without technology. They have become accustomed to instant feedback, answers, and entertainment right at their figure tips. I have worried about my kids, both biological and students, when it comes to this sense of entitlement that seems present; however, during #thegreatkindnesschallenge, I have seen this a lot differently.

While our kids are entertained and used to us as parents socializing them, running them to countless activities, hovering over them, and keeping them as safe as we possibly can, they are learning about love, kindness, and connection.

The students and staff at MMS have been given a challenge this week. Builders Club and Manchester Voices have teamed up to encourage them to be kind to others. Students have embraced this challenge! In addition to all their kind deeds this week, they are working on service projects with their advisory teachers, and they spent last week participating in a CRC drive sponsored by PTSA. Our students are connected, kind, and want to help others. We have several student groups who do for others. Student Council sponsors our "Successory Program," which thanks staff members, and student incentive programs, which recognizes students. FUTP60 promotes student health. Builders Club does several charitable projects, including Kids Against Hunger. Manchester Voices sponsors our Diversity Day on MLK Day and our Variety Show in addition to countless other activities. This is just to name a few of our groups in our school community. I am seeing our students' greatness through caring for others, and this is a trait that will be valuable for the rest of their lives.

Now that's positive news for us all! We need caring and kind people leading us in the future.