Category Archives: Article

“There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” — Oscar Romero

Today marks the feast of Saint Oscar Romero, the former Archbishop of San Salvador. Saint Romero was martyred on this day in 1980 for his advocacy on behalf of the poor of El Salvador. A decades-long civil war of that time period has left a permanent imprint upon that country. In 2004 I visited Romero’sContinue reading ““There are many things that can only be seen through eyes that have cried.” — Oscar Romero”

Young people have a deep need for familiar connection amid a society glued together with impersonal, transactional exchanges. -Springtide Research Institute

This morning I have been thinking about how grateful I am for several recent parent experiences I have shared with my kids. My oldest said to me today, “Dad, I can hear you on your Zooms sometimes, and it sounds like you’re really helping a lot of schools.” His recognition and understanding means the worldContinue reading “Young people have a deep need for familiar connection amid a society glued together with impersonal, transactional exchanges. -Springtide Research Institute”

While we might feel small, separate, and all alone, our people have never been more closely tethered. The question isn’t if we will weather this unknown, but how we will weather this unknown together. Amanda Gorman

Last night I enjoyed playing a tech support role for my daughter’s Zoom Tinkering Club. She built this great machine-like structure, and was happy to e-connect with her friends for this monthly group activity. In the concluding appreciations reflection exercise, she stated: “Tonight I am grateful for my family, all of you, and our dog.”Continue reading “While we might feel small, separate, and all alone, our people have never been more closely tethered. The question isn’t if we will weather this unknown, but how we will weather this unknown together. Amanda Gorman”

Be satisfied and be grateful. For what you have. For what you receive, For what God has given you. -Rabbi Albert Lewis

This week I am grateful for how much I enjoy serving in educational leadership. I am thankful for my faith and my family. I appreciate my health and the privilege I experience in being able to work from home. In this excellent piece, Hang in There, Help is on the Way, the significance of perspective,Continue reading “Be satisfied and be grateful. For what you have. For what you receive, For what God has given you. -Rabbi Albert Lewis”

“The more you devote yourself in prayer, the more you will do well in your work.” John Baptist de La Salle

This long week concludes mid-day Friday with the start to Christmas break for my kids. We are all very ready for a break from screens, Zooms, printer glitches and virtual meetings. Teachers and kids are all doing their very best given the circumstances, but the cumulative toll is real. Tired from this unnatural experience ofContinue reading ““The more you devote yourself in prayer, the more you will do well in your work.” John Baptist de La Salle”

“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This quote from today’s Gospel seems appropriate. While I presume Jesus was preaching of the Kingdom of God, and how God can provide the nourishment that we need, I also hear it this morning from the perspective of prayer. This past weekend I spent time in the woods, in the Pacific Ocean, and with myContinue reading ““Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.””

“One of the unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that a society that feels besieged by the threat of the virus will increasingly treat scientific information, and not just scientists, seriously.” Nicholas Christakis

One day last week we paused to watch a dumpster load onto a truck. This is a familiar experience from my childhood, for my dad was a roofer and often used dumpsters at job sites. My children were fascinated- my oldest, an aspiring engineer, admired the pulley….my middle child just loves anything with dirt…and myContinue reading ““One of the unexpected impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic may be that a society that feels besieged by the threat of the virus will increasingly treat scientific information, and not just scientists, seriously.” Nicholas Christakis”

“We often judge ourselves harshly for what didn’t get done while overlooking the marathon we completed. Look again. With grace.” -Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis

This morning I listened to an excellent Catholic School Matters podcast. My colleague Dr. Tim Uhl interviewed George Couros, an educator, author and thought leader. George provided excellent advice for educators to “Focus on the people you serve. Connection is first. Everything else is second.” I couldn’t agree more from my vantage point as aContinue reading ““We often judge ourselves harshly for what didn’t get done while overlooking the marathon we completed. Look again. With grace.” -Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis”

“Enlightenment must come little by little – otherwise it would overwhelm.” ― Idries Shah

This week I’ve been reflecting quite a bit on pacing myself throughout this pandemic experience. Some if it is influenced by my recent re-read of Your ‘Surge Capacity’ Is Depleted — It’s Why You Feel Awful: Here’s how to pull yourself out of despair and live your life. My thinking also is informed by the breakContinue reading ““Enlightenment must come little by little – otherwise it would overwhelm.” ― Idries Shah”

It is human to yearn for a return to “normal.” Yet sometimes following any disruptive event, a return to normal becomes impossible. What typically emerges from these events is a new normal that is based on what we have learned from that disruption. -Jim Dillon

In Charting a course to a (better) new normal, the importance of dialogue, openness, learning and considering “new rules” to follow are presented as key factors for persevering throughout this continually changing landscape of life today. I mentioned in a meeting last week that I feel as if I am re-inventing myself as a father,Continue reading “It is human to yearn for a return to “normal.” Yet sometimes following any disruptive event, a return to normal becomes impossible. What typically emerges from these events is a new normal that is based on what we have learned from that disruption. -Jim Dillon”