To start the new calendar year: two stories and a lyric.
One
- A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together. At one point, they came to a river with a strong current. As the monks were preparing to cross the river, they saw a very young and beautiful woman also attempting to cross. The young woman asked if they could help her cross to the other side. The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman. Then, without a word, the older monk picked up the woman, carried her across the river, placed her gently on the other side, and carried on his journey. The younger monk couldn’t believe what had just happened. After rejoining his companion, he was speechless, and an hour passed without a word between them. Two more hours passed, then three, finally the younger monk could contain himself any longer, and blurted out “As monks, we are not permitted to touch a woman; how could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?” The older monk looked at him and replied, “Brother, I set her down on the other side of the river, why are you still carrying her?”
I carried “ this woman” for years as well. In fact, those that know me could argue that I have not only carried her, but I also have dragged along another behind us. If you are interested, I invite you to join me in 2025 in no longer carrying this burden(s) of the past but to instead live in the present moment. I have set her down.
Two
- One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two "wolves" inside us all. One is Evil. It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego. The other is good. It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith." The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?" The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
Each day we are faced with the choice of which wolf we decide to feed, whether at work or at play. But it is especially important to be mindful during the times when we are presented with the wolf that we did not choose. It is in these times that we cannot forget that there still lies in us the power of whether or not we will feed it. These are the most challenging times; these are the times when our choices impact not only ourselves but our families, our communities, and our society as well. This semester, I am slowing down to see which wolf stands before me and then will determine how to act. The SMS system is ready.
Lyric
- Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end (“Closing Time,” Semisonic).
2024 has concluded, and on Friday, so does the first semester of the 2024-25 school year. With these endings, new beginnings come. SMS will spend some time looking back on the progress made so far this year, we will celebrate and adjust where needed, and then we will move forward into the opportunities of the rest of the school year: the new rivers will we cross, which wolves will be fed, and how can we best respond after having crossed a river & after feeding either or both wolves. Soon enough this new beginning will be another beginning’s end. Join me in finding the joy and positivity in all that can and will happen in our second semester.
Weeks at a Glance
- Friday, January 10: First Semester Concludes
- Monday, January 13: No School - teacher professional development day
- Tuesday, January 14: Second Semester Commences
- Friday, January 31: Deadline for applications to be included in the enrollment lottery