Let the Journey Begin

With the middle of August comes the beginning of another school year, and we as educators find ourselves refreshed, renewed, and looking forward to our "best year yet." Through all the hustle and bustle of preparing bulletin boards, planning lessons, and keeping track of the myriad of "start-up" paperwork; we might forget to take care of ourselves.

Recently, our school system provided teachers of our elementary and middle school campuses with a retreat led by Dr. Buddy Ceasar from Southeastern Louisiana University in Alexandria, Louisiana. To be sure, many teachers were initially miffed at the idea of sitting through six hours of "eduspeak." However, as Dr. Ceasar began his presentation, it became readily apparent that we needed what the good doctor was prescribing -- namely that we pause, take a deep breath, and allow ourselves to reflect and prepare spiritually before those students arrive.

Ours is a Catholic school, so the general idea presented to us was spiritual in the religious sense. However, people of different faiths or no particular faith may want to consider the ideas that we came to embrace .

What follows in this, the first post of my latest blog, is a basic summary of Dr. Ceasar's presentation. It is my hope that these "nuggets of wisdom" will remind you to take care of yourself this year, and help you prepare for your best year yet!

Issues Related to Our Journey

- A value orientation based on higher/lasting values: sense of interconnectedness with others and the universe.

- Awareness and appreciation of the source of all life - a higher being or reality.

- Having a faith/hope beyond the limitations of life and life experiences -- a simplicity in life; awe; wonder; an awareness of time as "kairos" (quality, God's time), not merely "kronos" (quantity, measured time, chronology).

- Knowledge of and appreciation of self. Awareness of and acceptance of where we are in our growth process.

- Articulating a focus in life (life's meaning). Commitment; decision.

- Openness/approach toward the challenges, transitions in life (both internal development and external events).

- Living with an emphasis on the present. View of the past (letting go of guilt, regrets) or the future (anxiety, fear).

- Having a way of dealing with our humanity/limitations.

- A healthy appreciation of genuine authority which can provide direction and order.

- Having others in our life in a healthy interdependent relationship. A bonding sense of community.

- Having a level of tolerance, understanding, acceptance of those different from ourselves.

- Awareness of life as a gift. A sense of thanksgiving

Have a wonderful school year!