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Pride, Happy New Year!
Like many of you, I spent part of our Winter Break reflecting on the previous year. 2022 had its ups and downs. Some things were memorable and some things, I'm glad are behind us.
I often hear people say things that focus on the negative when they close out a year. For example, "that was the worst year ever!" or "There's only way to go from here and it's up." That pessimism and gloom that surrender to the false narrative that life has treated us unfairly this past year. Try not to get pulled into that current of pity and negativity.
As educators, and as a member of the Riverwalk Academy Pride, I feel that we're called to be the beacon of hope to our students, our families, and to each other I believe that we should help our students see the good. We should model love and spread joy to all within our Pride.
Having this positive mindset and positive attitude towards life and each other, gives us. the ability to turn obstacles into opportunities (think about the coffee bean).
Being positive won’t guarantee you’ll succeed. But being negative will guarantee you won’t. ~Jon Gordon
As I think about the present, and the future, and what's in store for 2023, I think about what changes I need to make to make the best of 2023. I have a few options:
- Do nothing different and hope for the best
- Make a list of resolutions that will most likely my list of failures to start 2023. I don't know about you, but I usually fail to attain my resolutions by about mid-January.
- Come up with one word for the year that will help bring focus on what matters most.
For 2023, I'm choosing one word that gives me meaning and mission, passion and purpose. One word is simple, powerful and it makes a difference. I've picked out one word each year over the past few years and it's helped shaped me into who I am today. It's funny, as I think back about my previous words (purpose, intentionally, and passion) I didn't pick these words randomly. These words came to me after much reflection and when they were picked, I was 100% confident that they were the right ones for me during that specific time.
When you choose one word for 2023 it will become a chapter in your book of life.
I have picked my word for 2023 and I'll share it with you all next week.
Over this week, I'll be asking our staff and students to do the same: to pick one words that brings focus and meaning to them for this year. I'd encourage you all to do the same.
To help you think about your one word, here are some questions you can ask to help you find and receive your word. Make some time to unplug from the noise and the distractions of life and ask yourself:
- What do you want to focus on this year?
- What's in the way?
- What do you need more of?
- What do you need less of?
- What needs to change?
- What matters most?
- What is one word that will drive me this year to be my best?
Be open to the word that is meant for you. Once you have your one word, do something with it (i.e. write it down, stick it on your bathroom mirror, make it your phone's lock screen).
Pride, welcome to the new year and I hope your eyes are open to all the possibilities that lay ahed.
Have a great week!
~Dr. Compton
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