This week, rather than start this post with something I've written, I was reminded of a simple truth this morning and wanted to share it with you...
| Finding Peace Within |
If we are to have true peace in the world, we must first find it within ourselves.
Most people agree that a more peaceful world would be an ideal situation for all living creatures. However, we often seem stumped as to how to bring this ideal situation into being. If we are to have true peace in this world, each one of us must find it in ourselves first. If we don't like ourselves, for example, we probably won't like those around us. If we are in a constant state of inner conflict, then we will probably manifest conflict in the world. If we have fighting within our families, there can be no peace in the world. We must shine the light of inquiry on our internal struggles, because this is the only place we can really create change.
When we initiate the process of looking inside ourselves for the meaning of peace, we will begin to understand why it has always been so difficult to come by. This in itself will enable us to be compassionate toward the many people in the world who find themselves caught up in conflicts both personal and universal. We may have an experience of peace that we can call up in ourselves to remind us of what we want to create, but if we are human we will also feel the pull in the opposite direction--the desire to defend ourselves, to keep what we feel belongs to us, to protect our loved ones and our cherished ideals, and the anger we feel when threatened. This awareness is important because we cannot truly know peace until we understand the many tendencies and passions that threaten our ability to find it. Peace necessarily includes, even as it transcends, all of our primal energy, much of which has been expressed in ways that contradict peace. Being at peace with ourselves is not about denying or rejecting any part of ourselves. On the contrary, in order to be at peace we must be willing and able to hold ourselves, in all our complexity, in a full embrace that excludes nothing. This is perhaps the most difficult part for many of us, because we want so much to disown the negative aspects of our humanity. Ironically, though, true peace begins with a willingness to take responsibility for our humanity so that we might ultimately transform it in the light of our love.
Week at a Glance
Monday - 9 Weeks Assessment Window BeginsF&P Testing Begins/Continues
Tuesday - Classroom Champions Call - 11:00am - Sign Up HERE
Wednesday - Picture ReTakes
Friday - Face Painting
House Games
9 Weeks Assessment Window Opens
3rd-5th Grade teachers, please make sure over the next two weeks that you plan ample time to get your 9 weeks assessments taken AND scanned in before we leave for Christmas break.
Instructional Rounds
Thank you so much for doing our first round of Instructional Rounds last week. I hope you gained a little insight into some more great ideas and practices. We will be doing these once a month. Please during your team meeting this week, create a Google Doc (as a team) and have each person submit what they learned in that singular google doc.
TP Time
Team Planning time this week will be a look at lesson plans. I need all Kinder and 3rd Grade teachers to bring their lesson plans (and 10 copies). We will dive into lesson plans, see what's happening, and how we can make the process easier.
Staff Christmas Party Right now our plan is to have our Staff Christmas Party on Wednesday, December 20 at the Western Club. We will get more info out this week!
Morning Car Duty
Monday - 1st Grade
Tuesday - 4th Grade
Wednesday - 1st Grade
Thursday - 4th Grade
Friday - 5th Grade
Kids Deserve It
Don't forget to get your KDI shirt if you want it this month, HERE.
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Blogs/Articles
In Closing...
This week I challenge you to find your inner peace. To take time to share your struggles with others. We have sooooo many staff members who are struggle with loss, or sickness, or heartache right now. We are in a season like no other. My hope is that we all reach out and show a little more compassion this month.
My friend Adam Dovico and I, got with a couple of our principal friends and tried to create a little lighthearted video of what principals really do during Christmas break! A few Webb students even make a brief cameo! Hope it brings a smile to your face!
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