Partnership Educators,
It is the time of year where we reflect on what it is that we are thankful for. We often hear answers like family, health, job, and faith. In light of our tragic beginnings and the more recent events in Paradise, I can say that I am thankful for the privilege of working with some great folks across our partnership. We have so many caring and giving individuals that literally serve others over themselves. Our district family is the clear definition of selflessness.
The dictionary defines being thankful as a feeling or expressing gratitude or being appreciative. A blind boy sat on the steps of a building with a hat by his feet. He held up a sign which said: “I am blind, please help.” There were only a few coins in the hat. A man was walking by. He took a few coins from his pocket and dropped them into the hat. He then took the sign, turned it around, and wrote some words. He put the sign back so that everyone who walked by would see the new words.
Soon the hat began to fill up. A lot more people were giving money to the blind boy. That afternoon the man who had changed the sign came to see how things were. The boy recognized his footsteps and asked, “Were you the one who changed my sign this morning? What did you write?”
The man said, “I only wrote the truth. I said what you said but in a different way.” I wrote: “Today is a beautiful day but I cannot see it.”
Both signs told people that the boy was blind. But the first sign simply said the boy was blind. The second sign told people that they were lucky to be able to see the day and not be blind.
Moral of the Story: Be thankful for what you have. Be creative. Be innovative. Think differently and positively. When life gives you 100 reasons to cry, show life that you have 1000 reasons to smile. Face your past without regret. Handle your present with confidence. Prepare for the future without fear. Keep the faith and drop the fear.
The most beautiful thing is to see a person smiling. And even more beautiful, is knowing that you are the reason behind it!
Hug your loved ones and hug your day every day, Enjoy some time off and Happy Thanksgiving.
Rob
Superintendent
Redding Elementary School District
New Millennium Partnership
5885 East Bonnyview Rd.
Redding, Ca 96001