December Newsletter

Start by settling your mind and body by taking a few deep breaths. Mindfulness practice is an opportunity to build an ability to observe without our normal reactive spirals. For a few moments, we take a break from escalating our holiday stress.

Check in. Notice whatever is going on for you right now, and then come back to the breath. Whether you feel stressed, relaxed, or anything else, for a moment, let it all be. Without judgment or expectation, just notice it all, and come back to the next breath.

Relax into the breath. Right now, there’s nothing to do, no one to be, nowhere to go. In this moment, sitting, this is all there is. Some other time might be for acting or thinking. Right now, take care of anything emergent, but otherwise let go of fixing and moving, and focus on the next breath again.

Shift your attention to someone you care about. Now take a few moments to focus on your friends and family. Picture them, and wish them well, wherever they are: peace, or health, or safe travels.

Now focus on yourself. This is a time of stress, perhaps. Wish yourself whatever you did for your family: ease, or peace, or happiness. Take a moment to be grateful for whatever comes to mind.

Practice, as best as you’re able, letting go. That picture of the meal, or that snub, or a storm derailing your plan—they’re all just thoughts. Notice craving and the hungry ghost who always wants more. Label it all, if you like, thought. Don’t wrestle with it, and don’t engage with it quite as much. Note: thought, and then come back to… Breathing in, and breathing out. Allow the holidays to happen. Take care to do whatever keeps you grounded, like sleep and exercise. Enjoy it, plan what needs planning, and let go of the rest. Focus instead on whatever you value and find most sustaining this time of year. Happy Holidays!

We are often asked how parents can support our school’s leadership initiative. Each time we are asked we give the same answer: “Use the 7 Habits language at home.” As the school year unfolds, the students are learning the language and meaning of the 7 Habits. By hearing the same language at home and at school, you send your child a message of what is important and that we are all on the same team—the team that wants to help your student succeed. When parents and schools support one another, the sky is the limit!

Below is a summary of each of the habits:

Habit 1: Be Proactive (I’m Responsible for Me)
 Habit 2: Begin With the End in Mind (Have a Plan)
Habit 3: Put First Things First (Work First, Then Play)
Habit 4: Think Win-Win (Everyone Can Win)
Habit 5: Seek First to Understand, Then to Be Understood (Listen Before You Talk)
Habit 6: Synergize (Together Is Better)
Habit 7: Sharpen the Saw (Balance Feels Best)

In order to encourage the 7 Habits language at home, here are some questions you can ask your child:

How were you proactive today?
 What is your end in mind with this project/work/task?
 How do you plan to put first things first in this situation?
What would be a win-win for us?
 I want to hear what you think first and then I will share. How do you know when you are being listened to?
How can we work together on this?
How would you like to sharpen your saw today?