Dear members of the MLMC community
I hope you are all well and thriving in what I know to be very difficult circumstances for many. This lockdown has seen families experience this virus first hand with close family members testing positive and becoming quite ill. None that I know of are in our close vicinity, but contact sites have certainly moved closer to our area. I pray for the best possible outcome for all within our community. Never underestimate the power of prayer.
Every single day during this period of lockdown No.6 and previous lockdowns, as much as possible I stick to my usual routine and I arrive at work between 6.30 and 7.00am. I know I am lucky to be classified as an essential worker, as with staff and students on campus, no matter how few, the College leadership must be represented. Even on the few days that I manage to work from home, I open my computer and set to work at the same time. I do this because I know that my routine is part of my coping with my workload and it helps to build my resilience. It is in times of adversity and when under pressure that we build our resilience. I control the things I can control, am cautious of those I cannot, but do not seek to change them, knowing that I can’t. This helps me to remain positive and achieve each and every day. Each day I ensure I achieve much of that which I list each morning, as well as try to deal with the 200 plus emails that land in my inbox. We should, of course, always strive to better the situation.
I have started to visit homerooms each morning in the hope of connecting and seeing the MLMC students, as the College seems empty and almost lifeless without them. The College has been built for them and empty classrooms are just rooms with the class yet to give them life. My message to the MLMC students is the same and I continue to believe it to be true:
- Stay positive
- Focus on what you can achieve, rather than what you cannot
- Control what you can control, rather than what you cannot
- See this as a time of opportunity rather than a time of loss. You can achieve
- Exercise, eat healthily and maintain sleep patterns each day.
One of the constant questions I get asked each day is ‘what do you think will happen post September 2?’.
My answer is always the same in that I do not know as I have no crystal ball, but I do know that whatever does eventuate we will deal with it and success will follow, because we remain focused on achieving and achievement. Achievement is different for each of us, but if we set goals and plan to achieve them, success will follow.
We will continue to look ahead and try to plan College functions to ensure the best possible outcomes.
Resilience is important for us all at this time.
Story is an essential part of who I am, for I love story and storytelling in its many forms. There is a tradition in our house, born through my father on our many camping trips, that we never let truth or facts get in the way of a good story. I learn and teach through story.
As such, I am always looking for good stories and a great websites. One such website I found is the University of Texas: Transforming Lives through Resilience education.
This website has some great stories, many of which I have used with students over my 19 years of being a Principal in Catholic schools.
I would like to share two of these with you. Please indulge me.
The Farmer and the Donkey
One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried piteously for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally, he decided the animal was old, and the well needed to be covered up anyway — it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey.
He invited all of his neighbours to come over and help him. They all grabbed a shovel and began to shovel dirt into the well. At first, the donkey realised what was happening and cried horribly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quietened down.
A few shovel loads later, the farmer finally looked down the well. He was astonished at what he saw. With each shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey was doing something amazing. He would shake it off and take a step up.
As the farmer’s neighbours continued to shovel dirt on top of the animal, he would shake it off and take a step up. Pretty soon, everyone was amazed as the donkey stepped up over the edge of the well and happily trotted off!
Life is going to shovel dirt on you, all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up! Shake it off, and take a step up.
This is a great concept: We can get out of the deepest wells just by not stopping, never giving up. Shake it off and step up. You simply have to start with one step and keep going, but you need to start. A great message for us all.
The second is not a story but a piece worthy of our reflection:
A Beautiful Life!
Here are some tips that may bring you a beautiful life!
- Take a 10-30 minute walk every day and while you walk, smile
- Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day
- When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, “My purpose is to … today”
- Live with the 3 Es… energy, enthusiasm, empathy, and the 3 Fs … faith, family, friends
- Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of six
- Dream more while you are awake
- Try to make at least three people smile each day
- Realise that life is a school and you are here to learn, pass all your tests. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime
- Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away
- Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good
- Life is too short to waste time hating anyone
- Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does
- You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagreements
- Make peace with your past, so it won’t mess up the present
- Don’t compare your life with others’. You have no idea what their journey is all about
- Burn the candles, use the nice sheets. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special
- No one is in charge of your happiness except you
- Forgive everyone for everything
- What other people think of you is none of your business
- Time heals almost everything. Give time, time
- However good or bad a situation is, it will change
- Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will stay in touch
- Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful, or joyful
- The best is yet to come… believe
- No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up
- Do the right thing!
- Call your family often
- Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: “I am thankful for…” — “Today I accomplished…”
- Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed
- Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. Make the most of it and enjoy the ride.
— Author unknown
I am sure that we can each find many things to be thankful for each day. I know I am grateful for the supportive community that is Mount Lilydale Mercy College.
I know these might appear simplistic, but most realities are. I understand that families within our community are struggling, but please remember we are here to help. If you do not know who or where to seek help, please email me at principal@mlmc.vic.edu.au and I will direct your enquiry.
In the Spirit of Catherine, may each of you be blessed
God bless
Philip A Morison
Principal
