Belonging is more essential than safety.

Belonging is our lifeblood.  It is our spiritual journey and our protection from the worst of life.  ‘Community’ is on our doorposts.  It is the safety.

Belonging is one of the .

Do you believe it?  Is human connection more necessary than personal safety?  Do we need a hug more than we need bread?  Do we need each other that much?

If so, how will we build our learning communities?  How can we knit our schools with the honouring and dignity of a warm welcome?  What is my responsibility in that process?

My heart is stinging this morning because of memories of cold shoulders in the hallways.  I know when people are avoiding my gaze.  It hurts. My heart is broken open.  I want to listen better.  I want to get better at welcoming and at cultivating our hopefulness for growth.

I want to have the courage and energy to greet our community.  I want to have the humility to look our failings in the eye without shuddering and without running.  Can failure be a stepping stone on the path to mastery?

I know we need to achieve educating the children; it is a powerful and immovable mandate.

How?

We need to listen and speak with courage…

You can read about our process on the Center for Courage and Renewal’s blog.  They told the Willowstone Academy story earlier this month.

Journal Questions:

• What do you value in your school community as a parent or an educator?
• How can reach out to connect intentionally this week?
• Write down your intention to both speak and listen while honouring the other.

For the sake of the children,

Karine