Faith, Hope and Optimism…the Wylie Way!

I think we can all agree that how we say something is pretty important.  In my best Morgan Freeman voice, I hope to communicate in a way that provides hope, joy and optimism that reassures those in my care that “everything is going to be okay.”  Parents, kids and educators also find similar joy, hope and comfort in the consistent rhythm of school. Drop off lines, bell schedules, home football games, announcements, pizza day in the cafeteria and tons of other rituals provide this essential rhythm of consistency to our days, weeks and school year. We realize keeping these rituals, schedules and celebrations is important. No matter how much we try to keep things normal, it is a bit harder to maintain hope and joy in our everyday lives. 

Truthfully, everything is going to be okay, but sometimes I need to remind myself of my face, voice and attitude. Our attitude is optional, I choose hope, joy and optimism the Wylie Way. 

For example, you can look at this picture in two different ways:

1. A traffic line, waiting for your turn to enter the parent drop-off at Harrison Intermediate.
2. A school bus, carefully delivering students to Harrison and Burnett, with a fantastic driver who loves kids, and football field lights shining in the background with a field full of kids excited for the chance to practice football.  

How about this one:

1. Yet another stoplight on Country Club Road that potentially slows down your trip.
2. A new intersection that leads to student parking of our new Collin College campus in our own community.  

Finally, what about this picture:

1. Crowded lines to vote and perceptions regarding a potential negative outcome of an election on November 3.
2. The opportunity to choose our leaders in a nation where people have a say in who is elected.

This morning, my head and heart chose option #1 on a drive to my office. The cloud of COVID-19 can prevent the sunshine of positivity and blessings from peeking through and warming our hearts. Although we are inundated with circumstances which weigh heavy on our minds, we are surrounded by so much goodness. It is all about mindset. It is all about perspective. 

Our priorities are to keep kids, families, and employees healthy, safe, and HOPEFUL. Sometimes, my “hope” is replaced with “negativity” and “worry.” During these moments, I must remind myself that “everything is going to be okay” Morgan Freeman style.  Today, I choose hope. Today, I choose to live in the present and appreciate the blessings around me. Today, I choose to be grateful for my Wylie ISD family, your steadfast love, faithfulness and appreciation for our schools, and for each other. For the time being, we will stay physically apart, but we remain emotionally close, supporting each other regardless of a pandemic, of a traffic jam, or of a contentious election. We can choose to be upset that rose bushes have thorns, or we can choose to be grateful that thorn bushes have roses. 

Regardless of the circumstances, we will come out stronger on the other side. And regardless of what is thrown our way, we will persevere. At the end of the day, faith, hope, and love will prevail. At the end of the day, faith, hope, and love will bring us together, the Wylie Way!