All is well

This thought came from a short article I read this morning about looking at the world as "fundamentally good." Each year, the PCSD#2 board hosts a Christmas gathering for staff and spouse/guest. A great meal is served and everyone seems to have a good time and enjoy the camaraderie. The thought that all is fundamentally good resounds around the holidays and is something we could keep in mind throughout the year. I am certain that at various times throughout our work and relationships, each of us is confronted with people or issues that challenge us. Reminding ourselves that while we may have different philosophies, values, and ideas, the world is fundamentally good for the most part and the challenge becomes to find that goodness and commonality and build on it.

Help

"Accepting help is not a sign of weakness, but an opportunity to further our progress."

As I was reading a daily meditation book I like to look at each day, this quote struck me as something that could apply not only to one's personal life, but to our professional lives as well. You may have heard it said that many schools have individual "silos" within which each teacher closes his or her door and teaches the curriculum. I've seen colleagues unwilling to ask for help and continue doing what they have always done even if evidence points to a need for change.

However, if we look at it from a different angle, without help, none of us would be where we are today. We needed help when we were young in order to survive, then later to learn. Considering that many, if not most, of us are working for someone else, we needed help to get the job we have. Asking for help can certainly help us learn more quickly, which in turn provides us with the skills and knowledge to succeed. Sometimes all we need is a small change or bit of knowledge to grow exponentially.

Now, I know men are notorious for NOT asking for help. I'm coming to realize that this may do more to slow down progress than just biting the bullet and asking. Just don't tell my wife I admitted that.