Mission: To successfully develop intellectually curious, self-confident, and self-reliant young people for the betterment of a future global society.

Word of the Month: Responsibility

Dear team,

"Love and compassion will lead the way." These are the first words uttered by Mata Amritanandamayi Devi (worldwide recognized humanitarian that provides food, housing, education, and medical services for the poor in 40 countries around the world) when I first attended one of her lectures in 2008. Since then I've followed her journey, and have attended many of her seminars as she comes to the United States annually. When I met her for the first time she planted a seed in me that has grown, and continues to grow to this day. Selfless love is something that is difficult to attain, and takes work to understand. We all have people in our lives that we may not like, or care for. We may even perceive people as our "enemy." With the world changing at a seemingly rapid rate, I believe a focus on love and compassion is even more important now than ever before.

As the great Dr. Martin Luther King J.R. has said, "We are tied together in the single garment of destiny, caught in an inescapable network of mutuality." What affects one, affects us all. For one reason or another I have found myself having very negative thoughts lately; thoughts about my work at Firestone, the current state of our organization, our country and the world. This past Friday I was able to attend a farewell dinner for Kate Ford. I found myself seated next to our former CEO, James Wilcox. As him and I began our conversation I found us discussing how positive thoughts have the power to truly shape our reality and future. You see, he is working to create sustainable housing within school communities so that a synergy between home, school and community is created and communities of health are perpetuated. I understood that through love and compassion he has aligned himself with the physical universe's ability to put his concepts into action. Things like this can't be done with a negative mind or heart, and the antidote to negativity and hate is love. This past weekend a series of events occurred that put my mind back on the path of positivity, hope AND love. I submit to you that if we are able to see ourselves in others (I am a part of you and you are a part of me) selfless love can flourish. As we enter the 8th week of school, I challenge you to identify your negative thoughts, dig to the root of those thoughts, and find the love to transform them. In the end, it is the legacy we leave behind that will speak volumes. There is good in everyone. I am recommitting my efforts to focus on that good, because the more we focus on positivity the more of it we will see in our experiences of life. Whatever our grievances, hurts and upsets are let's always remember why we are in this work: to create positive change that will sustain for generations to come. You may have heard the Nguni Bantu term "Ubuntu," which can be translated as: "I am because we are." As we face the struggles present in public education, let's never forget that maintaining our humanity is more important than individual differences or disagreements. With a renewed optimism and joy for the work, Ubuntu my friends!

"Be like the honeybee who gathers only nectar wherever it goes.

Seek the goodness that is found in everyone."

- Mata Amritanandamayi Devi

Shout-Outs and Love

This Week's Love: