Friday Thought : Love. That's it.

@justinmcroberts

This might be one of the most encouraging posts I’ve written in a long time. For me at least. I hope it is for you, too.

The following passage has been increasingly on my mind and heart lately. And the more I read it, dwell on it, and try to live, the more encouraged - and convicted - I become.

Love is . . .

A modified version of 1 Corinthians 13:

If I am elegant in speech, sharing words as sweet as honey, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 

If I have the gift of foresight and can acutely analyze all things, if I have a belief and conviction that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 

If I give all I possess to the poor and endure immeasurable hardships so that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in destruction but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

Love never fails. 

Convicting in that no program, gift, slogan, or initiative means anything if not driven by love.

Encouraging in that, no matter how many times an idea or an attempt to help others fails or is ill-received, if done in love, it is not wasted.

Lean on Me:

Then, this morning while greeting kiddos and jamming to The Rubberband Man Radio on Spotify (a GREAT playlist!), an old yet beautiful song played. Lean on Me, by Bill WIthers

Most Generous Thing:

About an hour later, a principal friend of mine shared this with me. It is no my new favorite question:

What’s the most generous thing you can do today?

Happy Friday!

Keep striving to do Great things and change the world! No matter what we do, if done with love and sincere compassion for others, it is never wrong. For as Allister Begg - an old favorite preacher - used to say, “It’s always right to do right, because it’s right.”

Do right. Do love.

Friday Thought : An October Double-Stretch Story

This is Elias. He is my youngest of four kiddos, which means at any given time he as up to five people telling him what to do. And out of all my children, he is the craziest. He is full of passion, life, and commitment. And when he is frustrated, when his older and stronger siblings and parents don't let him finish his thought, when we fail to understand his needs, or when we just simply don't have time for the irrational rationalizations of a four-year-old mind, sometimes his only outlet is to scream, to throw a fit, and slam a door.

Those types of reactions often incite his sibling and parents to also react, creating a downward and mixed spiral of less-than-productive emotions and actions.

The other night, as I overheard him and his oldest older sister get into it, I quickly made my way to them, my irritation rising (can I never finish a sentence with my wife!!!) and ready to intervene with barks and demands. Yet, when I got there, I suddenly felt the urge to respond differently - I remembered the October Double-Stretch!

Instead of reacting, I gave just a bit more. I reminded myself that he had had a long day at school and daycare, that being the youngest is hard, and that a four-year-old doesn't always behave rationally. I reminded myself that at the end of a long day, he's tired. I reminded myself that he is four, and that I am the adult.

So instead of snapping, I picked him up and held him, patting his back, and speaking smooth encouragements.

Almost instantly he stopped crying. He then spent the next five-ish minutes with his head resting on my shoulder (something he rarely does). I thought he fell asleep. But then, in the gentlest of voices, he raised his head and said, "I'm ready to make it right with Eden now." And he did.

This simple moment reminded me that we're all trying our best - even our kiddos! But sometimes, every one of us - even the best of us - just need a few extra minutes, an extra hug, or an extra helping of grace. Sometimes, we all just need a little extra. And that is okay.

Where can you “double stretch” today, this weekend, or in the final weeks of October? With a friend, a family member, your job, or yourself?

If you have a story or two that celebrates the October Two-Stretch, let me know! I'd love to hear it:)

Friday Thought : The October Double Stretch!

As an educator, we there is a routine to how the year goes.

August is a shedding of summer. Like a snake shedding its skin, we spend the first few days/weeks of school shedding off old habits and creating new ones.

September is paving the road. In preparation for the year, the journey ahead, we spend a great deal of time in September installing and ensuring norms and procedures for our kiddos. Learning is still happening, just as people can still travel during road construction, it just isn’t smooth yet because the road isn’t fully paved. Just like learning in the month of September.

November is kicked off by a Halloween celebration. Then, it seems, everyone is in a progressive shutdown mode for Christmas break. With the invasion of holidays and Christmas concerts, class parties and the like, there just never seems to be a full week of intense, all-out instruction,

Which is why we have October.

In the month of October, the road is finally paved and there are minimal interruptions. It is a perfect month for a Double Stretch.

At times, we need to put forth a little extra, reach slightly further, and endure a little more. Our bodies are used to this. Like when we need to reach for that jar of cookies or box of Mac and Cheese that is just out of reach, somehow, we reach a little further and grab it! We double stretch.

For the month of October, find ways to give just a little bit more. As an educator you already give a lot, but where can you stretch slightly further? We can’t always live like this, with our arms and minds and bodies stretched to its fullest, but we can every now and then. October is one of those “then’s.”

Where can you put forth a bit more in your lesson? In an activity that you’ve been thinking about doing? In a relationship with a student or staff? Where can you improve your own mind or heart by giving just a bit more this month? How can you improve someone else’s life by doing just a bit extra?

Where can you double stretch this month?

Friday Thought : The Strength of Transparency: What Clydesdales can teach us about fear and support

Yesterday, my oldest daughter Eden (she's eleven) was fortunate enough to help a friend of ours with his Clydesdales. Not only was she thrilled because she LOVES horses, but she was also shocked to learn how delicate these monsters are. "They're so scared," she said.

After prepping the giants for the coming carriage ride, the owner of the horses offered her the opportunity to drive them. Shortly into their journey he handed her the reigns, and a bit of advice. "Whenever you come across a bridge or approach a tractor, the horses get scared,” he said, “They need you to talk to them, to let them know you are here and that they are not alone." My little girl was dumbfounded. "Like this," he said. They were approaching a large fence and the horses were beginning to slow their walk. "I see that fence," he said in a soothing voice, "I know it's scary, I'm scared too, but well do this together, okay?" To Eden's amazement, the horses picked up their pace and continued on their way.

As she shared this story with me, I couldn't help but think of how often we are terrified to express our fears. We want to be perceived like a Clydesdales: strong, confident, and extremely competent. The vision of those old Budweiser commercials, of Clydesdales running through snow or pulling giant loads is awe inspiring and we want to be more like that. Not scared. Being frightened or needing the coaxing from a petite little eleven year-old doesn't quite fit our ideas of what it means to Do Great Things!

But maybe it should.

There is something encouraging - convicting even - about how a Clydesdale lives its life. It knows what it can do and has all the confidence in the world that it can accomplish whatever task is set before it. At some point, however, it also needs to know its fears, warranted or not, are acknowledged as real. Most importantly though, they need to know they are not alone.

Humans are much the same.

Not only do we need to be strong enough to admit we need help, that we're afraid, and that we can't do it alone, we need to be strong enough to know that admitting so isn't weak! It's brave. And it is completely okay.

We also need to be the kind of people that allow others to admit they need help or are afraid. And we do so by being strong enough to not fix their fears or concerns for them. When the moment of fear approached for the horses, their owner didn't hop off and take control of the cart and do their job for them. Nor did he show them that their fears we're unfounded, making them feel weak or foolish. He simply acknowledged their fears and reminded them that he was there. Then, they continued on. Together.

Take a lesson from the Clydesdales and share your concerns, your fears - invite them into your world - so you can continue carrying your heavy load and doing Great things, fully confident that you are not alone.

And neither are they.

Friday Thought : Leave it at the Door

This week, gratitude and generosity have been on my mind. Especially when times are hard or seem extremely bleak, it is hard to be grateful or full of generosity because, really, we’re just trying to survive, to put food on the table, and to not cry in front of the kids.

How do we move on from these moments of sadness? From these pits of despair?

I don’t know. But ensuring others don’t feel the same and trying to make them feel seen and heard and loved - even if just for a moment, sometimes seems to help. Not fully, not completely, but a little. It helps to know we’re helping.

This is what teachers do, almost daily. They give of themselves by leaving their shit at the door and loving the hell out of their students. They give, even when their marriages are a mess, their homes are in chaos, and their lives seems to be falling apart. Because that’s what quality teachers do. And as educational leaders, we must therefore work even harder to ensure that they are replenished, that they feel loved, appreciated, and known. We must fill them up.

Friday Thought : Words of our Leaders

In the past week, I’ve listened to the podcast, Learning to Love with Tim Shriver hosted by Simon Sinek twice. I’ve listened to it twice! I hardly ever listen to a podcast twice, much less in the same week, but this one was different. I needed it.

At one point in the episode, Simon references J.F.K. and his beautiful “Ask not what your country can do for you” speech and how important it was for our country then, and now. Wesley Shultz, the lead singer of the Lumineers also references the importance of that speech in his intro to the song, Charlie Boy and how it changed the trajectory of his uncle’s life.

This week, as schools and school boards are unraveling their back to school plans, as superintendents address their schools, and as principals meet with their staff, the idea that “the words of our leaders ready do matter” has hit closer to home. Especially during times of hardship.

Leaders set the tone. Their words bring meaning to the task at hand and are either stumbling blocks or life jackets. They can save lives, ruin lives, and inspire people to lay down their lives for others. They have immense power.

As a leader, we must choose our words wisely, with consequences and people in mind. Lives depend upon them.

Friday Thought : What Conor McGregor can teach us about teaching, about learning.

This week’s student assembly was on the topic of being brave rather than being fearless. We don't grow or learn anything about ourselves when we're fearless because there isn't a challenge. We do, or at least we can, however, grow immensely when we're brave. 

Recently, I've been reading and researching a lot on Connor McGregor, and my most recent readings have been pretty challenging - convicting even - and I thought they might challenge, encourage, and/or convict you as well.

Conor claims to be fearless but I think he is. I think he’s terrified of losing, of failing. But instead of finding excuses or giving up, he embraces that fear and uses it to drive him to greatness. He uses it to help him prepare for battle. His weapons of war, then, are his mindset, his work ethic, and his approach to his craft.

His mindset is simple: don't let fear of failure dictate your life. Embrace it, use it, and learn from it.

"People of courage and action can take wrong steps and make mistakes - sometimes serious ones. But in a lifetime they accomplish far more than the timid, negative individual . . ."

His work ethic is born from the belief that we are given nothing, that we deserve nothing, yet  anything is possible if we work - and work hard - for it.

"Our preparation is more important than our opportunities. Our preparation makes our opportunities." Therefore, "we should focus less on the benefits of the action and more on the momentum created by performing it regularly."

His approach to refining and growing his craft is not haphazard or mindless. It is extremely intentional, and as I read through it this morning, I thought of education (for obvious reasons), but also relationships, personal goals, and daily living. 

Purposeful Practice, McGregor believes, "is a process that makes refinements through repetition . . . and looks something like this:

Identify a weakness in your domain or expertise.

Form a clear mental picture of what it would look and feel like to gain the skill that would fill in that weakness.

Break the new skill down into its most basic components.

Find or design activities that target those components.

Perform those activities with intense focus.

Use various forms of feedback to refine and repeat steps 2 - 5 until each component can be reliably performed.

Carefully integrate each component until they feel natural and will not be forgotten.

- Conor McGregor: Singleness of Purpose

Teaching - living - is much the same. There is the day in and day out battles of not merely showing up, but of putting in the work with intense focus. There is the constant threat of defeat, the fear of losing, the reality of losing, and the daunting and forever task of beating back mediocrity and achieving greatness. And, like a seasoned MMA fighter, victory comes down to a choice. It comes down to a process. It comes down to a mindset.

Are you ready to rumble?

Friday Thought : Ownership

I've mentioned before that, at times, themes seem to present themselves. As of late, I've concluded that these themes are largely the making of my own subconscious, much like the experience you've had after buying a new car or truck. Soon after your purchase you realize, suddenly, all the other automobiles that look exactly like yours. That thing that has been there all along but never seen is suddenly visible. That thing suddenly matters because it now matters to you.

My perceived "themes", I believe, come and go in much the same way.Here is my most recent one: Ownership. And it has manifested itself in three quotes:

1. "Maybe life isn't about avoiding the bruises. Maybe it's about collecting the scars to prove you showed up for it." - Unknown

2. “In our schools and in our classrooms, every interaction matters . . . A single interaction can change a person’s life forever” (pg 30) Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences That Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray

3. “We must own our actions. We must own our mindsets. We must own the opportunities that we take and those we pass on. We must own our roles in creating the cultures our kids need to thrive” (pg 30). Personal & Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences That Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray

For me, these have been encouraging and inspiring. They are reminders to be radically intentional - with everything - to take on and absorb blame and responsibility for the things I've done wrong, but then and always to get up and try again because, as the old faithful saying goes, "Chicks dig scars." And so do our students.

Friday Thought : Success Begets Success

Our extra-curricular programs are killing it! Football, volleyball, SDD, wrestling, and now basketball, it doesn’t matter. We’re finding consistent success, and it isn’t all that surprising. I do think it is interesting, though.

We see this happen quite often, even at the professional or higher Ed levels. When one team finds success, the Patriots for example, it isn’t uncommon for other teams from the same city to find similar or equal success. 

This also happens in families. Take, for example, the Manning family. Archie Manning, the father, found success in football and played a few seasons in the NFL. He then had three sons, two of which won two Super Bowls. Is it because that family has just been blessed with an unidentifiable football gene? Maybe. But I’m guessing not. Rather, I would argue that success begets success. (Shaw, if I’m wrong on this, say nothing . . . I like my little theory;)

We for sure have a talented young group of kids who have supportive families, excellent coaches, and an encouraging school that backs and cares for them. But they are also experiencing success begetting success. 

That's inspiring to me, a reminder to me, and an affirmation to surround myself with "successful" (whatever that means) people. Be it in relationships, goals, work ethic, or mindset, people who get after it, who attack setbacks and maintain positive attitudes and healthy perspectives, those are the type of people I want to surround myself with, whom I want to listen to and hear from because their success can and will beget not only my success, but our success.

Because success begets success. 

Friday Thought : Happy Valentines Day!

Below are a few quotes I've been considering this week. They're from the book Personal and Authentic: Designing Learning Experiences that Impact a Lifetime, by Thomas C. Murray. I've recently finished it, so if you're interested, stop on in and I'd be glad to pass it along!

Success is a "fail-forward mindset, intertwined with perseverance and resilience during the difficult times, and humility in the best of times."

"It is your display of humility in the best of times and your fail-forward mindset and perseverance during the difficult times that will make those around you want to follow."

"Every time we fail is an opportunity to model how to get up and keep trying to those who look to us for direction."

"The educators who make the largest impact talk about and focus on opportunities. Less effective educators talk about and focus on obstacles."

Friday Thought : Why we Serve

Roxie, our secretary, received a phone call today from a lady in town, asking if we could send some students to her neighbor's house sometime today. There are branches left over from the past weekend’s storm and she is concerned that her elderly neighbor won't be able to pick them up. So she called us. 

And now, we are sending our 9th and 10th graders during 8th period today.

Think about what that means. Someone in our community saw a need, wanted to help, then stepped out and did so, by calling OUR SCHOOL!!! They felt the best place to call for help was us! How cool is that?!?!?

By our community, we are seen as a place that will help, that will use its resources (which is often just many hands), and will get things done!!! We are recognized by our service, which in turn, provides us more opportunities to serve!

And I just love that.

Friday Thought : The Least of These

A slide from the same presentation by Dr. Andy Jacks (@_AndyJacks)

This, roughly, is a quote from this past weekend. "Your school should be judged by the way it treats the least of these."

It is often said that great teachers - great schools - make their decisions based upon their best students, teachers. And I fully stand by that. When we create lesson plans, when we consider the future of our school, it is the best students, the best teachers, that dictate what we will and won’t do, can and can’t do. We make decisions based on the top students and teachers, not the least common denominator.

And this is where the above quote convicted and challenged me this past week, because I desperately want my school to be considered the best, to lead the state and the nation in academics and excellence! Yet, ultimately, that is not how we will be judged, how we should be judged. If we have the highest GPA’s and ACT score but graduate jerks and kids who are not considerate of others, we have failed. And everyone will know it.

How we treat those kids who are at the bottom of the social ladder (be it academic, financial, popularity, whatever) is what defines us as a person, and us as a school. Do we spend extra time on some kids, and less on others? Do we send some parents emails and neglect others? Are we kinder, more patient with some kids and not with others?

If we’re honest, or at least if I am, the answer is yes. At least sometimes, anyway, and not because I like one kid more than another or because I think one has more value than another. But because, largely, the kids who have better home lives, more supportive parents, or more stable living conditions (generally) work harder, are more polite, and are better students. They’re easier to work with. Easier to spend time with. But they're also the ones that need us and our resources more.

“Are you spending as much time being concerned about and brainstorming ways to help a child’s behavior as you are a child’s reading or math scores?” This was another question posed, and I thought it a perfect distinction, or manifestation rather, of how we can love each child equally, yet differently, and according to their needs.

Perhaps you’ve heard the phrase, “Maslow before Bloom.” If not, it is simply implying that before we can work a child through the increasing stages of Bloom’s Taxonomy, we must first consider Maslow and the basic needs that each child must have in order to live. 

Just today, I saw this play out with a particular student who bombed a test. And I mean he BOMBED it. When he and it were brought to my attention, the student spent a good deal of time explaining the morning he had had the day of the test and how that difficulty, that upheaval of a morning affected his day and ability to work. We then spent a little bit of time discussing his emotions, his normal morning life, and how he could have handled those frustrations in the near future.  We spent time working through his Maslow needs: safety and love and belonging. And it only took about 10ish minutes.

Then, he retook the test and it was RADICALLY different. 

As teachers, as educators, we must always be pushing our students to achieve great things. We must never settle for mediocrity or ordinary - we aim towards and teach towards the best! But we also equally love on and support those who, for one reason or another, cannot achieve such great heights because their foundation of life - their basic needs - are absent or threatened. We reach and teach those kids, too.

We didn’t come to be teachers to serve and teach to the best of the best, but to change lives, to inspire lives worth living, and to improve the world around. Sometimes that means pushing the extremes of Bloom’s higher levels of Taxonomy. Other times, it is working through Maslow before attacking Bloom because that is what that kid needs, and because that is what we can provide. That’s why they call us teachers!

Although it is hard work, exhausting work, and at times extremely frustrating, it is the best work. 

It is a great time to be an Educator.

Friday Thought : The Legacies we Leave Behind

This week, with the actualization of two very difficult resignations, I have thought a lot about legacy, to the point that when a potential new English teacher visited our campus, one of my interview questions was, "Many years from now, when you finally hang your hat up for the last time, what do you want your legacy to be?" It's a question we all struggle with at times, but rarely do we have moments to feel it, to experience it, and to see it. Miss Dorian and Mr. Shaw, however, are.

This week, as I've reflected on these two and the legacy they are leaving behind, one simple truth has worked itself to the surface: consistency. We do not build a legacy out of a single moment, a great week of teaching, or merely with profound ideas and self aggrandizing. We build them through consistency of action, through deep conviction, and by the small and simple and somewhat insignificant moments throughout each and every day. We build them slowly, we build them deliberately, believing, in the end, they will matter. Which, as we can plainly see, they do. Miss Dorian is respected not because of one strong unit or a few purposeful lessons, but because of all of them. Mr. Shaw is revered not because of one solid year of teaching and coaching, but because of 39 of them (Think about how many lives he has impacted! Wowzas.). Their day in and day out lives is what leaves their legacy. And the longer they and we are fortunate enough to live and teach and encourage others, the deep and wider that legacy, that influence, spreads.

What do you hope will be left behind and remembered when you are gone? What will fill in the dash of your time as a teacher? Parent? Friend? And person?  

What is your desired legacy? 

And, perhaps more importantly, what are you doing - each and every day - to ensure it?

As I try - like you - to wrestle with two very difficult resignation letters, these are the questions that have been deeply impressed upon my heart this week.

Friday Thought : Be Intentional

I'm a big New Year's resolution kind of person. I know some of you are too, while others are not. I have a friend who is a bit of both. A few years ago, he challenged me to not make specific resolutions, but thematic. "Choose a word," he said, "and have that be the focus of your year. That way, your goals and habits can shift and change and never end." I really liked that and have adopted it ever since. (Although, I still make specific resolutions.)

This year's word (or words) is "Be intentional." I know it is a bit of a buzz phrase that people like to use because it sounds good and looks good, but as I reflected on the past year and spent time considering the coming one, intentionality kept presenting itself. Am i intentional with my conversations? My time with my family? My staff? My emails? Am intentional with my money? My time? My opportunities? Do I make things happen, or respond to the things that do? Am I intentional with my thoughts? My words? Or are they guided by the ideas and influences of others? 

If I'm honest, the quick and easy answer is no, not always. And probably not nearly as much as I would like to think or hope which bothers me because that means there is so much wasted time, energy, and opportunities to be better, to do great things, and to have greater impact on the lives of those around me. 

This is my recent conviction, and I would never want to impose it upon any of you, so I will simply ask this: are you being intentional with the time and resources and opportunities that have been gifted to you? I know I'm not, and I need to do better. 

Friday Thought : New Year

Happy first-Friday-back-from-break Friday!!!

I love my breaks. I love traveling, being with my kiddos, sipping coffee with my wife in mornings . . . and later morning . . . and afternoon . . . and later afternoon . . . and in the evening. But, I also love coming back to work. And standing outside this week, greeting our kiddos and high-fiving all of you, it felt great to be back. We are a great school, and I just love coming to work and getting after it with all of you. It's a great time to be a Longhorn!

Over the break, my brother in-law (an ex-military guy) recommended a book to me and I started it on the train ride home. It's entitled, "Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Turning Followers into Leaders" and is written by a retired U.S. Navy Captain who helped turn the nuclear submarine Sante Fe into one of the best performing submarines in the Navy. The other day, he dedicated a chapter to a short phrase, "We learn (Everywhere, All the Time)," and it really resonated with met. It's so simple. So true. And a great reminder of how to live life, interpret failures, and hope for the future. 

Another quote that I connected with was, rather than "focusing on avoiding mistakes, to achieve something great." We tend to get so caught up in being perfect, at avoiding mistakes and embarrassing ourselves, which only limits our ability to grow and learn and accomplish great things. This quote reminded me - encouraged me - to get after trying to achieve great things. And when a mistake occurs, learn. Everywhere, all the time. Or, to refer back to our Tuesday morning meeting, make better ships!

As we head into the New Year, each with our own way of planning, resoluting, and evaluating life and the coming year, I hope we can all be encouraged by the idea that while we pursue greatness, while we strive to do awesome things, we must not be discouraged by the mistakes we make or fear we will for they are merely moments that allow us to learn, to continue on towards greater greatness and, consequently, more failure and therefore more learning! Because as teachers, as educators, as a person, that is what we do. We learn (Everywhere, All the Time). And that - hopefully - is an encouraging thought.

Friday Thought : Normalize Greatness! And then rest.

Earnest Shackleton

"Normalize Greatness." I shared this quote at the beginning of the year, and as we head into our final week of the semester it has repeatedly come back to mind.

The days leading up to Christmas break are tough. We're tired, kids are antsy, projects and papers are due, and well, we're tired! For some, very tired.

Yet, the end is near! Now is the time to dig in and finish strong. Which can be very difficult to do.

So, if you will allow, I'd like to (hopefully) encourage you with this:

I recently finished the book Endurance, which I shared about a few weeks ago (the story of Ernest Shackleton), and I could not help but be fully inspired. Not only did Shackleton and his men brave and survive the frozen south, loving in relative contentment for over a year on the floating ice, but once they finally discovered land it quickly became apparent that it had nothing to offer and that they must quickly move on. So Shackleton and a few choice others set sail for a larger island some several hundred miles away. They were guided by the stars alone, through some of the worst oceans our world has to offer, for roughly two weeks, never really sleeping and quickly running out of water. But they survived and reached their needle-in-a-haystack- destination. Quickly, however, they discovered they were on the wrong side, and because of boat and weather conditions, they could not sail around. So Shackleton and two others decided to walk across the island. The only problem was nobody ever had, because the "saw-tooth thrust through the tortured upheavel of mountain and glacier that falls in chaos to the northern sea. In short, it was impassable" (pg 327).

Shackleton knew it. The men knew it. But, there was no choice. So they ventured on and conquered the just-about-impossible.

"The crossing of South Georgie has been accomplished only by one other party. That was almost forty years later, in 1955, by a British survey team . . . that party was made up of expert climbers and was well equipped with everything needed for the journey {and well fed!}. Even so, they found it treacherous going" (pg 347).

Yet, Shackleton and his men survived. They were also not surprised when they did. Because they had normalized greatness.

This has been extremely convicting for me lately because it is a tangible reminder of how great our bodies and minds can be. But then, the second I say it, the second I begin to believe it and start to live it out, another very real truth comes to mind. The plight of Boxer.

Boxer, the beloved horse from the brilliant short novel Animal Farm, held firm to his motto, "I will work harder" living it out daily, reciting it often, and becoming a great inspiration to his fellow farm animals. His motto encouraged him to get up earlier, work later, pull harder, and, at times, carry the entire success of the farm upon his broad shoulders.

But then, he fell. He broke. And was quickly sold to the local knackers.

Shackleton's story is a great reminder of what we can endure, what we can accomplish, and what we can overcome, if only we normalize greatness and get after it!

Boxer is a great reminder that we can't always be doing treacherous and crazy things all the time. At times, we need a break, to step away, and to heal.

As we head into our final week, remember Shackleton and continue to normalize greatness. Then, as we head into our Christmas break, remember Boxer and get some rest. A new journey will be waiting for your return:)

For more on . . .

-N- Stuff  :  Open Thoughts  :  Friday Thoughts

Friday Thought : Be Earnest

This week's #PositiveSignThursday word is "Earnest" which means (in my own words, anyway), being a man or woman of sincere conviction, of behaving in a way that aligns with one's moral compass and character. Or, as David Goggins recently said, "The truly successful people in life have learned one thing - and it might be the greatest separator between average and becoming nuclear!!! - and that is learning to do when you don't want to do!"

This word has become an unintended theme in my recent readings, starting with the story of Earnest Shackleton (how great of a name is that!!!) and his journey throughout the South Pole. Before that, was Randy Pausch, a Carnegie Mellon professor who was diagnosed with cancer and, with only months left to live, gave his Last Lecture. He then turned his final words into a book, which my librarian was kind enough to recommend.

Below are a few of my favorite quotes from the book.

“There’s a lot of talk these days about giving children self-esteem. It’s not something you can give; it's something they have to build . . . you give them something they can't do, they work hard until they find they can do it, and you just keep repeating the process” (pg. 37).

“The brick walls {in life} are there for a reason. They’re not there to keep us out. The brick walls are there to give us a chance to show how badly we want something” (pg 52).

“No matter how bad things are, you can always make things worse” (pg 88).

“It’s a thrill to fulfill your own childhood dreams, but as you get older, you may find that enabling the dreams of others is even more fun” (pg. 115). In other words, what teachers do, almost every single day!

“Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. And it won’t make us happier” (pg 139).

“When you’re frustrated with people, when they’ve made you angry, it just may be because you haven’t given them enough time . . . in the end, people will show you their good side. Almost everybody has a good side. Just keep waiting. It will come out” (pg 143)

“Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right” (pg. 147). The power of "I AM"!!!

Rocky didn’t care if he won the fight, “He just didn’t want to get knocked out” . . . “It’s not how hard you hit. It’s how hard you get hit . . . and keep moving forward” (pg 147).

“Experience is what you get when you didn’t get what you wanted. And experience is often the most valuable thing you have to offer” (pg 149). Balance Like a Pirate says, “We do not learn from experience . . . we learn from reflecting on experience”

I would encourage you to print out one or two of the above lines and hang them in a place where you can see them often, as a reminder, to be earnest in your days and decisions and reactions. As a reminder to not live merely by how we feel, but by what we know to be good and right and true. To live by conviction!

To be earnest.

For more on . . .

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Friday Thought : What a Cheerleader Can Teach the World

I'm sure most of you have already seen this photo. It's been shared on Facebook dozens of times, viewed by over 95,000 people, and featured on ABC Fox Montana. And for good reason! It’s the type of story that people love and flock to.

However, the story ABC Fox chose to spotlight was not what I had hoped for when they reached out for comment.

ABC Fox chose to focus on Helena High and their "coming to the rescue" role in the story, and I don't blame them. It's a touching story, a challenging and encouraging story, and a reminder to us all of how we should act and live when we find ourselves in a similar situation. It's a true Humilitas story!

But it is not the best part of the story.

When I first read saw this post, when I looked at the picture and remembered seeing little Allie Wallace out there cheering all on her own, what I was most inspired by and what wanted the story to focus on was the courage and inspiration of our sole Longhorn. "When we battle through obstacles," I wrote to ABC Fox, "when we do our best, even when it's hard or scary or embarrassing", when we put ourselves on the line and in vulnerable situations, "and when we do it with pride, integrity, and passion, we inspire others to join us." We inspire change.

And that, to me, is the bigger story, the better story, and the more inspiring story because it is the harder story. It is the more convicting story.

I don't know about you but I often feel inadequate as a person. I am constantly scared to make a fool of myself, I'm extremely self conscious of my weaknesses and faults, and am terrified to be perceived as a fool. I hate failure. Yet, almost on a daily basis, be it as a father, husband, principal, friend, person - whatever - I am faced with a decision, a moment, or an opportunity like the above picture. And in those moments, in each and every one, I have a choice to make. Do I walk away, believing my attempts are and skills and efforts are insignificant and worthless? That the embarrassment is too great? That I truly can't make a difference? Or do I stand strong, do my best, and endure? Do I hold tight to the belief that doing the right thing, the hard thing, is indeed the right thing, even when it doesn't feel good? Even when no one seems to care?

When I see the picture of Allie, of a young, petite, and almost squeaky-voiced girl who is so easily lost in the crowd standing and cheering in a giant stadium all by herself (before they showed up) with confidence and pride and diligence, and when I see her standing in a small see of Helena High cheerleaders (after they showed up), I see her inspiring others. I see her inspiring me.

When we hold fast to our convictions, when we act out in faith and pride, and when we do it with integrity and grace, we become influencers. We become movers and shakers. And we inspire others - even the big and mighty - to join in. Just like Allie Wallace did.

That inspires, encourages, and challenges the hell out of me.

That is the story I wish they would have focused on.

For more on . . .

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Friday Thought : Be Purposeful

Purposeful.

"For all his firm standards, Fred Rogers was willing to show his own vulnerability on the air. In a segment with a folk singer named Ella Jenkins, Mister Rogers and cast member Chuck Aber sang a song that goes, 'Head and shoulders, baby / one, two, three / knees adn ankles." Mister Rogers got mixed up and, laughing hysterically, touched head and shoulders while the others were on knees and toes.

Margy Whitmer figured she'd be asked to cut the scene. But Fred Rogers said, 'No, we're going to keep it. I want children to know that it's hard to learn something new, and that grown-ups make mistakes.'"

This mindset, this way of living, embodied all of Fred Rogers. He was known for being very hard and meticulous about his set and the way people conducted themselves because he cared deeply about his program and the kids whom he knew would be watching. And because he cared deeply, he did nothing unintentionally or haphazardly. He wore sneakers instead of dress shows because they were quieter and less distracting, was meticulous in how he orchestrated his show (there are nine steps to the Freddish translation), and was extremely conscientious about his pacing and use of technology - he did not merely want to entertain and gain viewership, he wanted to inspire and change lives.

Mr. Rogers, in EVERYTHING he did, was extremely purposeful. He did not stumble into stardome (nor did he desire it) nor did he accidentally or surprisingly guide, inspire, and teach generations of kids from all over the world. He simply did what he believed was right, all the time, and cared for those less fortunate. All the time. Even when - especially when - it came to things and abundance.

"The real issue in life is not how many blessings we have," Fred Rogers believed, "but what we do with our blessings. Some people have many blessings and hoard them. Some have few and give everything away."

In all we do and say, may we be conscious and purposeful, with the hope and intention of changing and inspiring lives. Just like Fred Rogers.

Friday Thought : They Make Us Better

Today, Thursday, was a bit rough.

With so many kids out for the Divisional Volleyball , I had great plans to get a LOT done. I even told myself on my walk to work, "It's going to be a quiet day!!!" Ten minutes after the morning bell, I had four kids in my office and I found myself barking at and getting extremely frustrated with the four often-times-offending culprits. What is so hard about following directions? I thought to myself, “How hard is it to be kind? Polite?” I said out loud and a bit louder than I intended.

Then, the volleyball team lost their third game to Augusta - a team they should have beaten handedly in three - and I was reminded of when I was a coach and how much I dreaded "easy" games because I knew, in many ways, those were the ones we could very easily lose because we just assumed we would win. I also dreaded those games because, as a team, we rarely got better. Often we got worse, and the ease with which we would score or steal the ball or rebound would enforce a false belief of how good we were. Difficult games, however, hard fought matches or underdog wins would do the complete opposite. They would force us to play harder, to fine-tune and fix the smallest of mistakes, to overcome our mental and physical exhaustion, and to work hard. Those games made us better. Better athletes, better coaches, and an overall better team.

I think the same could be said for teaching, principaling, and living in general.

Whenever something is easy (be it a class, a kid, or a goal), I can get lazy, complacent, or downright unmotivated because really all I have to do is show up and things will pretty much take care of themselves. (Maybe you can relate to this?) But when the obstacle or goal is tough, when the class is rowdy, the students are difficult, or the opponent extremely talented, I try my best. I get up earlier, plan for a few extra hours if not days in advance, and create a detailed plan of attack. In short, I rise to the occasion. I get better. (Maybe you can relate to this?)

You may have a particular grade or class that is hard, you probably have several students who grate on you and make each day difficult, and I can almost guarantee that with each looming break (Christmas and summer), kids get extra squirrelly, our patience a bit thin, and classes a bit more chaotic.

I also know it's all about perspective.

At the very least, these kids have the potential to make us better.They will require us to bring our best game, to consider new schemes and teaching practices, and they will force us to continually learn how to love and like people - to do what is best for people - even when we don't feel like it. In other words, they will make us better teachers, better leaders, and better people. Which, in turn, will allow us to teach and lead and inspire more people.

These are the victories that stay with use for years to come. Not the easy ones, the expected ones. It’s the hardest ones. Just like our volleyball girls who, yet again, took their rivals - the defending divisional and state champions to a five-game match and won!

These are the games that we remember. These are the games that make us better. Just like those difficult classes, those difficult students, and those difficult weeks. When we rise to the occasion, when we look on them as opportunities to improve and get better, we do! Then and only then, do we find ourselves at the end of the day, week, year holding on to memories that last a lifetime. Victories of changed and inspired lives. Victories that remind us of the very reason we became educators in the first place.

And that is an encouraging thought.

For more on . . .

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