Southwest High School – Page 3 – Once a Raider… Always a Raider

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PRINCIPAL’S MESSAGE

Amazing Raider families,

20 Days and counting….

“Gratitude and attitude are not challenges; they are choices.” ~Robert Braathe~

The last seven weeks have been more than stressful for many people in having to endure the government shutdown as families lost benefits for their families, especially in receiving their SNAP benefits. Many employees were furloughed while essential workers had to continue to work without pay. Our armed forces either continued to work without pay or they received a late payment. As a former military wife, this can be stressful as armed forces do not get paid enough to do what they need to do. And it is during these times that we must choose to focus on the good things in our lives despite the challenges we face. Horatio Spafford, an American lawyer, real estate investor and Presbyterian elder in the 19th century was one such person who lost his fortune in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, yet decided to choose to focus on. He also lost his son to scarlet fever. Two years later, he lost all four daughters, who were headed to Europe with his wife, when the ship they were on was hit by another ship. His wife was rescued and sent him a telegram “Saved alone.” So, he boarded a ship to join her. When they reached the area where he lost his daughters, Spafford wrote one of the most famous hymns in the world. The first verse reads, “When peace like a river attendeth my way. When sorrows like sea billows roll. Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, ‘It is well, it is well with my soul.” This hymn has served as a guidepost for me during some of the darkest times my life and has guided me to focus on the positive aspects of my life and be grateful about them.

We should always be conscientious about showing our gratitude for everything in our lives. Choosing an attitude of gratitude is fundamentally a conscious choice. Brene Brown, researcher on Joy and Gratitude, assumed in her research, that joyful people were grateful. What she discovered was the opposite. Instead, she found that people who practiced gratitude tangibly, were joyful people, not the other way around. She stated that “practicing gratitude invites joy into our lives.” As we approach Thanksgiving and the holiday season, I encourage you to practice gratitude. Below are ways in which you can practice gratitude.

Have a great week,

Easter Finley, Principal