BRUNSWICK SCHOOL
OCTOBER 2013
MONTHLY MAILING A Force for Good At our Opening Day Assembly, I shared with our students a few disjointed but heartfelt thoughts, three of which I thought I would share here. One, as much as I want each and every one of our boys to succeed, before that I want each and every one of us (students and faculty alike) to appreciate that we are all part of something bigger and better than ourselves. Brunswick School is only as good as any one of us on our worst day. What I meant by that was to remind the boys that we are all in this together. We all benefit from the reputation of those who came before us. We owe it to those who will follow to honor what is special about this place. Brunswick boys stand out. People will judge not just them but all of us by how they conduct themselves. If we are rude or selfish or entitled or spoiled, people will assume everyone here is that way. If we are polite, respectful and resourceful, they will believe that Brunswick School is full of people like that. Two, I urged our boys to look out for each other. We all have our failings and our lapses from time to time. I asked our boys to help the “other guy” be the best he can be and he will, in turn, do the same for them. Together we can help each other tap, as Lincoln said, the “better angels of our nature.” Three, I shared with the boys that I have a little saying that I have taped above my mirror that I read each morning as I get dressed. It offers a good perspective to start each day no matter what the day has in store. I spent much of the summer trying to think of a good saying that could start off our year in much the same way and I finally rested on one that I liked. I liked it because it offers purpose and perspective not just on schoolwork, but on all things and I could think of no better way to start the year. Here it is . . . simple, short and to the point . . . easy to tape up above your mirror if you should ever need a little inspiration: BE A FORCE FOR GOOD. Here are some possible ways to be a force for good: -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐ -‐
help others before you help yourself think of others before you think of yourself leave a place better than when you found it enjoy things as a group not on your own raise the level of discourse, don’t lower it win as a team, not as an individual never compromise your honor or encourage others to compromise theirs expect less and thank more
Think about it. Our boys really can’t do better than that. BE A FORCE FOR GOOD.