This is the last week in the roll-up to mid-winter break, and often times we're really digging deep this week. Perseverance may be needed to get to the other side of the week. But have no fear...I, of course, have just what you need to get inspired today. Have a look at how incredibly nimble and determined the IBEX is.
One of the things I like about the ibex story is that it's their natural instincts and abilities that take over in the face of this sheer climb and great danger. It's a good reminder to us all that we often need to trust our instincts more and trust our natural abilities. (I am not suggesting you go scale a dam! 😂)
Sometimes, we all worry so much about whether or not we can do something, that we give up before we even try. As long as the "thing" we want to do or accomplish is a healthy risk, try to take the "what ifs" out, and just trust your gut and your skills. Generally, our fears of failure far outpace our actual failures.
Remember last week when we talked about "faults"? About what that really means? About how there should be no such word? I think the word failure is a similar word that we should pretty much eliminate from our vocabulary. Really the only failure is to not try - to give up. As long as we keep working, and striving to be better - at whatever it is we want to be better at - we are conquering!
My family and I have been really into watching mountain biking videos on YouTube lately, and this weekend we watched Van Girl Yuka's video about building and using a manual trainer to try to improve her ability to perform a manual on a trail.
This is what she is trying to do...
This is an example of what she built to help herself learn...
The reason I bring this little example up is because of something YUKA said at the end of her video. She had been working on the trainer for 15 days straight, and she was hoping that once she got back outside, her manual's would have improved, and but she tells her audience, "one thing I realized after 15 days on the trainer...I still stink at manuals!" What happens next is the cool thing...she doesn't give up, she vows to keep practicing to improve her skills! She feels the frustration but keeps her humor, and she continues to get back on the bike for more practice and learning.
Remember the F.A.I.L. acronym? is means First Attempt In Learning. So if you are struggling to get through this week, don't let your "failures" get you down! Figure out a way to re-assess and keep trying. Be persistent like the ibex, and let your natural skills help you be successful. As always, if you are struggling to figure out a path forward or to trust your instincts, reach out..I am here to support you!
Considering our topic of perseverance, it's a good day to spotlight and inventor for Black History Month. Have you ever heard of Lewis Latimer? I hadn't either. While Tomas Edison gets the credit for inventing the lightbulb, it was one of the inventors on his team, Latimer, who made improvements to its design which made them more to use! Latimer worked with both Alexander Bell (who invented the telephone), and with Edison. Latimer created a light bulb with a durable filament which allowed it to last longer. He sold the patent for this light bulb to the US Electric Company in 1981. Want to know more about Latimer, check out this video.
If you or someone you know is in an emergency, call The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255) or call 911 immediately. From the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) : September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month—a time to share resources and stories in an effort to shed light on this highly taboo and stigmatized topic. We use this month to reach out to those affected by suicide, raise awareness, and connect individuals with suicidal ideation to treatment services. It is also important to ensure that individuals, friends, and families have access to the resources they need to discuss suicide prevention. Here are your local resources for suicide prevention : Who can you connect with at CBMS for help ? Mrs. Hempey, School Counselor - 802-583-8071 or jhempey@huusd.org or just come to my office! Mr. Estes, Vice Principal - joshestes@huusd.org Hillary, Dean of Students...
Welcome to the last Monday! So, I know I told you on Friday that I was giving you your last, "assignment," which was to think about your summer goals and the habits you will create to get there, but...I lied! One more thing I want you to do is to watch this CNN/Sesame Street Racism Town Hall with your family (If you haven't watched it already!) Yes, I know you are middle schoolers, yes, I know that Sesame Street is aimed at toddlers and young kids, but I watched it with my 7 and 9-year-old kids on Saturday, and there is a lot of good conversation here that is appropriate to young audiences and will help you and your families start conversations about race, racism, and antiracism. I think that one of the hardest things about helping to break the cycle of oppression and systematic racism is just starting this conversation, and this Town Hall helps to open that door, so please find some time to sit with your family to check it out. Don't just get ...
Happy Friday Everyone! I was looking at some old pictures yesterday after I posted my question of the day about nicknames, and it has got me feeling all nostalgic. The train of remembering got me thinking about my school experience. I have memories of things I did in school and I do believe that the content I learned created a knowledge base that I have leaned on throughout my life, so it certainly was important. However, what I remember the most are the people that I worked with, and the overarching skills I learned (like organizing, managing time and synthesizing information)! My grade school was a PreSchool to 8th-grade school, and I remember every teacher I had from first grade on. -In Mrs. Valadota's first grade I remember her welcoming me to my desk on the first day - I sat across from a boy named Chris Terrien, who I think is a cardiologist now. -In Ms. Pelette's Second grade classroom, I member that she noticed I needed glasses and that I had a ha...
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