Interested in experiencing Europe as your Senior Trip??  Follow the link above and check out tour #238624

Winter is in full swing...snow today, sunny the next, then more snow!  Sometimes it is difficult to remember when shoveling out and negotiating the slick roads that today's snow is our summer water supply.

Similarly, we sometimes forget that when our children are growing that difficult times preceed moments of great joy.  No matter which part of the cycle we are in (p.s. ask your child about "waves" and how cycles work...they learned about it in science), we all need to have a wider perspective. 

Recently the staff all participated in "Strengthfinder 2.0" a program that identifies a person's top 5 strengths.  Not all of us have the same top strengths, but those strengths overlap in interesting ways.  If we learn to operate from a position of strength instead of always trying to attack our weaknesses we build our self-esteem and add a much needed perspective to those around us. 

Okay, so now compare and contrast these three ideas.  Snow, growing pains and natural strengths...all can be valuable when we approach them from a positive way and look at them with a long range view.  For example, if I identify my srengths and really work to develop them, as difficult as the journey might be, there will be a time when my personal strengths could help solve a difficult problem.  Conversely, if I only complain about the things that I don't like in the moment, instead of moving through the difficulties, I may miss the greater moments of happiness. 

I suppose that I'm suggesting that we all try to have a more positive outlook and be thankful for what is presented to us.  Good luck this month!

The Roaring Fork Public Education Foundation, the nonprofit that exists
solely to offer opportunities to help local public school teachers, has
designed a simple, free and easy way that everyone can help support the
foundation's efforts. For anyone who likes to buy online, start from the
free shopping guide www.schoolpop.com. When registering on the site, be
sure to select the RFPEF as the beneficiary. Each time you shop, log in to the
site first so that the RFPEF receives credit. For questions, contact RFPEF
Director Irene Friedman at 379-6569.