The Carpenter
I recently heard this story from my father. I think that it really sends a message, reminding us to always do our best.
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house-building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family. He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire. They could get by.
The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.
He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials. It was an unfortunate way to end a dedicated career. When the carpenter finished his work the employer came to inspect the house. He handed the front-door key to the carpenter. “This is your house,” he said, “my gift to you.”
The carpenter was shocked! What a shame! If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.
So it is with us. We build our lives, a day at a time, often putting less than our best into the building.
Then with a shock we realize we have to live in the house we have built.
If we could do it over, we’d do it much differently. But we cannot go back. You are the carpenter. Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. “Life is a do-it-yourself project,” someone has said.
Your attitudes and the choices you make today, build the “house” you live in tomorrow. Build wisely!
What a year!
I can’t believe its almost the end of the school year. I haven’t posted in months. I guess my office just got a little overwhelming. I have been dealing with kids who aren’t taking the time to see someone else’s perspective. Sometimes we don’t realize the damage we do when we fail to see the other side of the story or when we don’t think about how past events could impact the situation.
For example: I had a student come to see me. There is a boy who really likes her, she wants to be his friend but doesn’t have those “boyfriend” kinds of feelings for him. He really likes to hug her and has even asked to kiss her. She has tried to be respectful but his constant attention is becoming too much. I believe that if he was able to see her side of the situation he would realize that his attention is hard for her to handle. Instead they are considering not being friends anymore.
I guess my point is, its important to consider where the other person is coming from and be sensitive to their situation. Enjoy your spring!
Christmas Crazy
I know that I have not posted in a long time, I blame the terrible spam I was getting for a while. I have gotten that problem cleared up and am glad to be able to post again.
Christmas is fast approaching and I have been so busy at school and at home. Sometimes I feel like I’d rather be at home with my family and sometimes I think that being at school is better because I can just concentrate on my work and not think about everything going on at home. I know that there are some students who feel this way too. Sometimes being at school is easier than being at home.
When you have a long stretch of time, like the 2 week Christmas break, to be at home and you are not looking forward to the change, there are some things you can do. Try planning your time so you have different activities to do everyday. You can visit other family members, hang with friends, or play in the snow. Also try to divide your time between quiet alone activities and time with family members and friends.
I hope you all make the best of Christmas break and that when school starts again in 2010 you are refreshed and ready to learn!
Welcome Back!
It is another new school year and I am already getting so many questions from students! I’d like to say that alot can happen over the summer and people can really grow and change. Just because you didn’t get along with someone last year doesn’t mean that this year will be the same. Give people a chance to make better choices and don’t hold a grudge. If mistakes are really in our lives to help us learn than allow people to learn from mistakes and give them another chance.
Remember to keep the people around you positive and it will help you stay positive and make good choices too!
Friendship
Sometimes in middle school it is difficult to make friends or choose friends who you get along with and enjoy spending time with. I like to think about friendship like a football field or basketball court. Let me explain… There are two kinds of actions, in bounds and out of bounds. Things that you and your friends often do together and that you and your family approve of are considered in bounds activities. Out of bounds activities are things that you or your family are uncomfortable with, are illegal, or would be breaking a rule.
Each of us has our own boundaries. You need to decide what is in bounds and out of bounds for you and your friends. If a friend ever goes out of bounds you need to be strong enough to let them know that you are not OK with the activity and will not participate. If a friend goes out of bounds too often you may want to consider limiting your time with that person.
Remember, you will not be remembered for the number of friends that you had but for the quality of your friendships.
Back from Break
Many of us enjoy being home on vacation, like the most recent Christmas Break. I know I had fun with friends and family and wasn’t ready to come back to school. Students often struggle with going back to school after a break or vacation. Here are some ideas about how to transition back to school after a break.
1. Talk with your family before you have to return to school. Share your concerns with them. They will support you as you go back to school.
2. If you feel like you really miss someone while at school, take a few minutes and write them a note, that way you will remember to share with them what is on your mind.
3. Have someone from home send a note with you to school. You can open and read it only when you are feeling most anxious about being at school. Reading this note may refocus you.
I hope that everyone had a safe and healthy holiday and that everyone is glad to be back at school. Even though I didn’t feel ready to go back at first, I was happy to be here when it was time to start!
Mix It Up! @ Lunch Day
We will be celebrating Mix It Up at lunch day on Thursday, December 4. This is an opportunity for you to sit with someone different at lunch and participate in some fun activities with people you may not know. It is sometimes hard to meet new people, Mix It Up day makes that easier for you. If you take a chance and meet someone new you might be suprised how much you have in common with them. I hope that you take a chance and Mix It Up with me on Thursday!
Gossip and Rumor Spreading
One of the most common issues I deal with in the counseling office is rumor spreading. The best advice I can give on this topic is DO NOT SPREAD RUMORS. Even if you think you are doing your friends a favor by telling them that someone said something nasty about them, you are actually spreading the rumor!
It can cause more pain than good to tell your friend the rumor you heard about them. The best thing to do is let the rumor spreader know that whatever they said is not kind and that you will not be repeating it. Let it end with you. The rumor will stop and you will feel good knowing that you saved your friend from having to hear the mean comment.
Come to the counseling office
I get lots of comments from students looking for help or advice on many issues. My best advice is to find a trusted adult to talk to. Find someone who will listen and help you come up with ideas to help with your problem. That might mean that you should come to the counseling office, or maybe you could talk to a parent or family member, maybe you can talk to a teacher or even a minister or priest. There are lots of adults who are willing to help. All you need to do is get the courage to ask!
Welcome Back!
It is a new school year at OVMS and I am excited about all the great things happening this year. I am hoping to meet and work with students in every grade level and discuss what is going on.
Remember this blog is for you, the students. If you have a question or concern you can post to the blog and I will respond to you. You can also see how others respond to what you have said.
When using a blog remember to use only your first name and never give out any personal information about yourself.
I hope to hear from you soon! ~ Mrs. Wiles
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