“Nature gives to every time and season some beautiesof tis own.”
--- Charles Dickens ---

Of all the holidays, my favorite one is the ThanksgivingHolidays in November, because they give me anopportunity to reflect, a moment to pause from life’streadmill, and savor its blessings. This holiday provides amuch-needed relief from my hectic life both as a schoolprincipal and as an educational consultant.

What am I thankful for? I am thankful for the opportunityto continue to learn and lead. In my nineteenthyear as principal, I feel grateful for the teachers, studentsand parents in my learning community who inspire meto make a difference in the lives of children. As educationalconsultant who is in great demand as speaker, Iam thankful for the opportunity to share my expertise toothers and to learn from educational experts who keepme abreast of current research findings and issues.

Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Education is learningwhat you didn’ t even know you didn’t know.” The morewe learn, the more we realize how little we really know.

Will Durant, a philosopher and historian, also said“, Educationsi a progressive discovery of our own gi norance.”As I engage in continuous learning trying to be aleader as a learner, I find books are a refuge. Books arean escape from the prison of the self and an escape fromthe responsibilities of the here and now. Learning andbooks are my therapy, keeping all my problems in perspective.

This month is not only for thankful reflection of thepast year, but it’s also a time for anticipation. The growingcrispness of the air, the colorful leaf changes, andother signs of winter’s imminence inspire me to lookforward to the winter holidays. Therefore, November isthe perfect month to look back and forward at the sametime.

Quotes on Thanksgiving:

① We tend to forget that happiness doesn’ t come asa result of getting something we don’ t have, but ratherof recognizing and appreciating what we do have.

② If the only prayer you said in your whole life was“thank you,” that would suffice.

③ As we express our gratitude, we must never forgetthat the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but tolive by them.

④ Nothing is more honorable than a grateful heart.

⑤ Gratitude is the sign of noble souls.

⑥ There is one day that is ours. Thanksgiving Day isthe one day that is purely American.

⑦ Reflect upon your present blessings, of which everyman has many―not on your past misfortunes, of whichall men have some.

Books I would like to recommend to parents:

■College Knowledge by David Conley

■A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

■Mindset by Carol Dweck

교육상담 문의 drsuzieoh@gmail.com

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