What a wonderful first week back! Our plan for specific activities seems to be working quite well. I will let you know for sure in a couple more weeks. Tweaking our schedule has helped as well, and I am sure Ms. Rotterman will help keep me on schedule, but as with anything involving children: we will have to adapt. Another great success this past week was a reading time with Susan Jones. Most of the children were able to settle down and enjoy a snow-themed book. A few even cuddled up for a second book. Now we have to think of a way to make it a more cozy time...maybe a rocking chair and a plush rug and some pillows.
I also had the privilege of speaking to the Athena Delphian Club here in Paris. This is a women's charitable group with about thirty members in attendance. I learned two specific things from this appearance. First, we still have to work very hard on getting the message out to our community. The community needs to know that we exist and are open and what we provide. My eldest son was answering questions for a lengthy scholarship application and was writing about the Center. He wrote, "This program is not just a babysitting deal, and that is what I admire most about it." People need to know what our philosophy is and what our program offers. We are almost at full capacity, but we need the community support to continue growing and improving
Second, when I speak about our program I really get revved up about it. It fuels me to get back to the office and work on ideas and plans. This is something that all of us need to do from time to time. No matter how passionate we are about our jobs, especially if our job is taking care of our families, we still need a bit of a jump start every once in a while. We all can get in a rut. Sometimes a vacation will do it, sometimes a workshop, sometimes an experience, sometimes it is something we read or a movie we watch. For me, it can be speaking to a civic group or just speaking to one of our volunteers or board members about what is going on at the Center. Any of these things can spark an energy in us to do more and continue to move forward.
If you know what sparks you, you are lucky, and if you don't, seize an opportunity that comes in your path. When things are getting sluggish, push yourself to a change of venue to stir it up for you. If you are a homemaker, go to the movies, or take a walk in the park, pick up a book of short stories or a magazine that peaks your interest. If you are in education, join the Scholastic Teachers Newsletter or Lesson Planet(both can be accessed on Facebook as well). If you are in a thinking profession, take a thinking break and take a walk or listen to some "up" music. If you are in a physical career, take a physical break and use your mind to play a game or read a book or go to a concert. If you are feeling dreary in your job, make a list or tell someone all the wonderful things about your job and the things you are good at. Sometime focusing on the positive is all you need.
Until next week: Keep it R.E.A.L.!
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