Thank you for this wonderful, encouraging piece, Brad. I think your (and Dr. Li’s) advice applies to every relationship, including our connections with people we barely know or don’t know at all, like at the store or passing on the sidewalk. It DEFINITELY applies to all kids, including young adult “kids.”
ASHA, yes yes yes! Thank you, friend. You're absolutely right. It applies to all ages. It's had me really reflecting on my own personal "relational health". Something I really want to improve and see grow richer and deeper. Helps knowing just how much it impacts our overall health! Thanks for the many ways you've made *me* better. You're the real deal.
Yes! Totally agree with the small interactions making a big difference. Working in an elementary school office, I get to witness amazing adults doing this all day long for our students. I also hear many teachers say, “I love you” to the kiddos and I truly believe even hearing those three small words from safe, caring adults can bring big changes in the lives of our students.
Thanks for this, Theresa. I’ve visited *lots* of schools and have learned that so much of how that visit is going to go can be felt in my interactions with the front office! What you do matters so much. If that office is stressed and unwelcoming, I feel that throughout the whole school. If that office is inspired and caring and on a mission, I can feel that too! And it’s the little things that send those messages, too! Thanks for seeing that and being that. It matters so much.
THIS. “How is my own relational health?” has been a major question for me as I think about what to model for my own son. The triple-whammy of the pandemic, moving to a new place, and becoming a first-time parent has left me feeling unmoored and out of practice when it comes to being in relationship with others. And I don’t have great models from my own parents. It’s comforting to know that this is a question that many of us are grappling with. It’s how we’ll build something richer together. Thank you for the work you do!
Thank you for this wonderful, encouraging piece, Brad. I think your (and Dr. Li’s) advice applies to every relationship, including our connections with people we barely know or don’t know at all, like at the store or passing on the sidewalk. It DEFINITELY applies to all kids, including young adult “kids.”
ASHA, yes yes yes! Thank you, friend. You're absolutely right. It applies to all ages. It's had me really reflecting on my own personal "relational health". Something I really want to improve and see grow richer and deeper. Helps knowing just how much it impacts our overall health! Thanks for the many ways you've made *me* better. You're the real deal.
Yes! Totally agree with the small interactions making a big difference. Working in an elementary school office, I get to witness amazing adults doing this all day long for our students. I also hear many teachers say, “I love you” to the kiddos and I truly believe even hearing those three small words from safe, caring adults can bring big changes in the lives of our students.
Thanks for this, Theresa. I’ve visited *lots* of schools and have learned that so much of how that visit is going to go can be felt in my interactions with the front office! What you do matters so much. If that office is stressed and unwelcoming, I feel that throughout the whole school. If that office is inspired and caring and on a mission, I can feel that too! And it’s the little things that send those messages, too! Thanks for seeing that and being that. It matters so much.
THIS. “How is my own relational health?” has been a major question for me as I think about what to model for my own son. The triple-whammy of the pandemic, moving to a new place, and becoming a first-time parent has left me feeling unmoored and out of practice when it comes to being in relationship with others. And I don’t have great models from my own parents. It’s comforting to know that this is a question that many of us are grappling with. It’s how we’ll build something richer together. Thank you for the work you do!
This is awesome!!!
Marc, thanks a ton, man! So grateful for you and your 'kids'.