Yes, it IS still summer, but students across the country are heading back to school, and although I hate to see big, yellow buses round the corner, a heightened energy resonates with me. It’s a season full of possibility; positive and encouraging.
As teachers begin to set their curriculum, I’ve decided to set my own; as a parent, an educator, and a concerned community member who wants to see our children and our society thrive.
What is important to learn? What goals have we made for our families, our students, and ourselves? In my book, achieving a 100% on a test, winning a race, or landing a lead is fantastic, but not what’s essential or really all that important. So—what is important to know? I’ve created a list.
- Love: enough said
- Kindness: it goes a long way
- Acceptance: of others and oneself
- Balance: between one’s mind, body, and soul
- ABC’s- and 123’s: we all need to read and to add
- Self-sufficiency: learn how to learn on your own
- Spirituality: find faith
- Respect: yourself and others
- Healthy habits: eat well, sleep well, rest well, work well
- Understanding the world around us: this includes geography, cultural behaviors, religions, politics, and social influences
- Self-confidence: trust your intuition
- Nature: spend time outside, it’s life’s best and yet most underutilized teacher
- Beauty: look for it everywhere—in the slice of an orange, the shape of a cloud
- Creativity: make time to discover and explore
- Visualize: dream possibilities
- Compassion: it also goes a long way
- Gratitude: enough said
As your kids climb aboard the school bus, keep life in perspective and remember what’s really important.
What’s on your list?
Carrie Brown-Wolf • Rock, Paper, Write 