JumpStart FINAL Issue of This Newsletter (5/18/26)

This is issue #160. Issue #1 came out on January 17, 2022 to a handful of people. Now it reaches over 7,000. I’ve covered a lot of topics over the years, and even wrote a book (see below) and created a 40-episode podcast ( Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube) that’s a sort of Greatest Hits for this rag.  But this is the last one. I’m retiring June 30.  I’m not quitting cold turkey. If you’d like me to keynote or workshop in-person for your school or event, let’s talk.

QUOTE:  "Savor the little moments, son, that's my advice.  They're what life is.  All the little things that happen while you're waiting for something else." (Joe Abercrombie, from Heroes)

MESSAGE:  A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I went to see Melissa Etheridge in concert. It was a fabulous show - heartfelt and genuine with no gimmicks. What struck me, however, was the number of people who were ‘watching’ the show through their phones. It also seemed like there was a direct relationship between the distance from the stage and the number of people on their phones: the closer people were, the more likely they were to be recording(?) the show.  

And so I wondered, were the people on their phones really savoring the moment?

Savoring, a concept developed by psychologist Fred Bryant and colleagues, refers to our ability to notice, appreciate, and enhance positive experiences (Bryant & Veroff, 2007). In other words, happiness doesn’t just come from what happens to us—it comes from how well we experience what happens. Two people can have the same summer, but the one who knows how to savor it will feel more restored, more present, and more fulfilled.

That matters for educators. Research shows that recovery from stress isn’t just about time off—it’s about psychological detachment, positive emotion, and intentional engagement with restorative experiences. Savoring helps you do all three.

I want you to savor your summer. Your students and colleagues NEED you to savor your summer so that you come back fully restored. Here are a few simple, practical ways to savor your Break:

1. Slow down the good moments
When something enjoyable is happening—a morning coffee on the porch, a walk without a bell schedule, a conversation that isn’t rushed—pause. Take 20–30 seconds to fully notice it. What do you see, hear, feel? This small act tells your brain: this matters. It strengthens memory and emotional impact.

2. Share the experience
Savoring is amplified when it’s social. Tell someone about a good moment. Relive it together. Even a quick text—“This sunset is incredible”—extends and deepens the experience.

3. Be intentional with anticipation
Savoring isn’t just about the present—it also lives in the future. Plan small things to look forward to: a day trip, a lunch, a quiet morning. Let yourself anticipate them. That anticipation is part of the benefit, not just the event itself.

4. Capture, but don’t replace, the moment
Photos, journaling, or quick notes can help you revisit positive experiences later. But be careful not to experience life only through documentation. The goal is to support the memory—not distract from the moment.

5. Protect your attention
Savoring requires presence, and presence requires boundaries. Limit the pull back into email, planning, or “just checking in.” Give yourself permission to be where you are.

As you step into summer, the goal isn’t to maximize productivity or even fill every day with something memorable. It’s to fully experience what’s already there. Savoring turns ordinary moments into restorative ones.

You don’t need a perfect summer to feel renewed. You just need to notice the one you have.

DAD JOKE:  My friend says his favorite Star Wars quote was, "Aargh, Luke, ye scurvy dog, I be yer father!"  I think he got a pirated copy.