December seems to always sneak up on us. One week it’s October and then the next is December. Most of us are realizing that the older we get the faster the days, months and years seem to go. When December comes, even against the pile of “to dos” I just seem to feel JOY. Joy in the songs the kids are singing, joy from the weather, joy in the decorations, joy in all the sparkling lights, joy in the cookies and candy everyone shares, and joy in anticipation of the holidays that will allow time with loved ones and gratefulness – JOY.

A few days ago, I was working with educators in a seminar, and they were practicing giving value/value potential statements and reflective questions. Their initial questions began with, “How have you been working with your team?” only to be offered a tiny alteration – “How are you enjoying working with your team?” The group responded, “wow,” just one word changes the feel from responsibility to anticipation. Similar questions began to be found and soon folks were saying – “what a difference one word can make in how someone, on the receiving end, feels.” That’s what we are after, impacting how others feel about our work in schools!

As the school year has unfolded, the one common story has been the lack of joy. There has been a heaviness of responsibility coming from a lack of qualified people, keeping good people, huge demands by parents and communities, and the wider gaps seen in student learning that comes with a weight of fear and concern. As this year comes to an end, and we return in 2023 to all the same demands, my prayer for all of you dedicated, committed, caring educators is to find JOY in this journey. May we all seek to spread JOY by loving and caring about each other and others. You know, Mark Twain said that the healthiest response to life is JOY! It is not joy that makes us grateful. It is gratitude that makes us joyful!

So, as we hurry through the month, may we all be more mindful of JOY. Joy is so easily spread – a kind word or a smile, a thoughtful card, or special secret Santa exchanges, a gift of a new toy for the toy drive, for a box of food goods for the food bank, a phone call to a dear teacher who influenced your career, a gift of your time to a parent, a special note inside a holiday card, a box of cookies – you know all the ways. So, this month and as we prepare to return, let’s just think – one word – JOY! Joy for life, for families, for kids, for laughter and love. Happy Holidays! And remember…a joy that is shared is a joy made double! How cool is that?