Editorial Columns

All week long, I’ve been fighting a cold. It’s annoying when you have a list of things you’d like to accomplish in a timely manner, but all you can manage is lots of tea, water and several naps.

For once, I was prepared and had several bags of chicken broth in my freezer. It was my attempt to have single servings of soup ready to microwave. I’m always grateful when I can uncover something of substance hiding in there. When I’m not feeling well, the last thing I want to do is go shopping.

As we embark on this new year, hopefully this finds you all having success sticking to your 2020 resolutions. As I think about our students and our role in helping them achieve all that they aspire for, a common phrase we often use comes to mind, “Do your best.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.”
Similarly, one of my favorite quotes comes from Steve Prefontaine, “To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift.”

This is the time of year where many people take stock of where they’ve been and where they want to be.

The internet is filled with sage advice offered by the famous, the infamous and the old reliable – anonymous. With the click of a “like” or a “ha ha” or “sad face” button, you can let the world know what a particular saying means to you. Seeing the reactions of others gives you an indicator of where you stand in relation to those you’ve let into your circle of friendship.

I decided to slow down for Christmas this year. I didn’t want to break myself by trying to cram in all the festivities available. I can see how some people get overwhelmed this time of year. When there are so many options of things to see and do, time just seems to fly by.

Although I’d like to think I’m on some noble quest to slow down and cherish fewer moments with deeper meaning, I know in my heart that I’m a top-notch procrastinator. I didn’t really slow down for Christmas so much as I just didn’t get around to it.