JumpStart Square Dancing Day & Week #1 of Matt's Giveaways! (11/28/22)

Big Idea:  Just because Thanksgiving is over doesn't mean GRATITUDE falls off the list.

Let’s think about silver linings this week using the technique of ‘yes…and’.

• Yes, school is crazy busy this time of year with parties, performances, family to-do’s, and planning for the holidays, and I can soak up the joy my kids and students are feeling this week.
  
• Yes, finals are right around the corner which means creating and grading assessments, and that allows me to see all the learning that has happened under my watch this semester.
  
• Yes, money is tight this year; my kids have expensive tastes, and this enables me to gift something that they’ll truly remember, like my undivided attention on a special day or a personalized gift that I can create.
  

This week, try this: Yes, I get it that this can all seem to ‘yippy-skippy’ - often falling into the realm of toxic positivity. And I also see this week as a time to expand our zone of resilience by staying in the moment and identifying who is feeling joy right now.

Quote:  "Gratitude is the attitude that keeps on giving."  ~Me

Resource:  Inclusive Language One-Pager. Language is key to, well, just about everything. Things don’t exist until we have a word for them. I heard a podcast one time where a group of people don’t have a word for blue, so they don’t see that color. Language also changes. Much of what what was common vernacular when I was growing up is now outdated and alienating to whole groups of people. This sheet shows some ways to change up how you phrase things.

Dad Joke:  It was an emotional wedding.  Even the cake was in tiers.

Have an excellent week!  
​Matt Weld, ROE #40 SEL Coach