Dwell in Possibility

Today I want to share 5 values that guide the way I live, including the way I want to present as a school leader: Resilience, Courage, Connection, Grace, and Curiosity.

 

I want to speak a moment about “Grace,” which is one of the values that I especially centered in this challenging school year. One of my favorite artists, Morgan Harper Nichols, describes grace as that underserved favor giving you permission to see who you are beyond what you do.

 

I believe granting others grace is central to how we can learn, grow, and evolve into caring and compassionate human beings. As hard as it is for me to extend grace to others who doubt me, or make me angry, sad, or frustrated, I also know that sometimes I can act in ways that make others angry, sad, or frustrated. When I show up in a negative way, it means so much to me when others see me beyond what I say and do and extend, grace. 

 

Class of 2021, as you leave this caring and intimate community that we call Fayerweather, I want you to think about the values and beliefs that you learned here at FSS that will carry you through difficult, challenging, and yes, wonderful times. I want you to ask yourselves when you are faced with difficult decisions, “how does my choice(s) align with my values and beliefs about myself and others?”

 

I wish you the best on your journey and know that you always have a home here at Fayerweather. I want to leave you with these words from Emily Dickinson:

 

“Grace is often found in surrendering our plans, letting go of the need for perfection, giving up our impossible ideals, and humbling ourselves before the mystery….Dwell in possibility.”