GRATEFUL

I hope everyone is managing to find some sense of normalcy during this Coronavirus shutdown. I have talked to or emailed several of you and I am encouraged to find you are finding things to do to keep busy and keep your mind off of all the news reports and negativity. I have also heard so many great reports that our students are checking in everyday and joining Google Meetings and getting their assignments completed. You guys are really awesome and I appreciate all the effort you are putting forth. I hope everyone is finding time to watch the morning announcements each day. They are informative and sometimes pretty entertaining.

One thing Mr. Knott mentioned on Monday during his "movie quote" day, was a great quote from the movie "Good Will Hunting". "You will have bad times but it'll always wake you up to the good stuff you weren't paying attention to".  I started to think about the good stuff I wasn't paying attention to and realized that maybe this tough time we are going through really does help you appreciate the things we do everyday and aren't really grateful for. I know I miss seeing Mr. Verhoff in the parking lot waving to all the students as they come and go. I miss my morning coffee while standing in the hallway greeting the students coming into school in the morning. I truly miss the students and having conversations with Chase Martin in the morning. I appreciate all the lunch times where I get to walk the lunch room and speak with the students. Eating lunch at home is cheaper, but I really appreciate my lunch room buddies and our conversations. I have read a few good books while I am off but I miss going into the media center and talking to Mrs. Knodel about them. I could go on and on with all the things I truly appreciate since this shutdown. Our teachers, staff and administration are AWESOME! What else can I say. They have been leaders throughout this entire crisis and have made the best decisions in the interest of the staff and students. Thank all of you. I hope you will take the time to practice this exercise. Think about what you miss that you used to take for granted. Maybe when we return we will all have a little different perspective.

One last thing I would like to mention for all of you who may be feeling down or sad at this time. I just read an article that stated that "Science says Gratitude is good for your body, mind, emotions and relationships". Studies show that when we are grateful we experience more energy, less anxiety and more restful sleep. It's good for our health, our happiness, our relationships, even our longevity. They say that being grateful has been shown to reduce symptoms of depression. As I write this, it is with a heavy heart. My older brother passed away yesterday. He had been suffering with cancer for about two years. I know he is at peace now. I remember he used to get up so early every morning all his life. I asked him one time why he did this and he said, "Jim, you only get so many sunrises and sunsets in a your lifetime. I want to enjoy everyone of them". I think he died grateful and taught me a long time ago to be grateful for so many things. I know we are in strange times but my wish for all of you is that you would write down the things you are grateful for. Things that you truly appreciate in your life. Every once in awhile it will do you good to take a look at that list and be thankful. I hope some of the things I mentioned will help you as we go through these uncertain times. Remember that you can email me anytime you want and I will get back with you as soon as possible. If you need to talk, we can arrange that. Take care and be grateful.