Digital Pamphlet PDR Summit #2

PDREIMAGINED ISSUE 2

Welcome to your second installment of the PD Reimagined issue, we hope you have enjoyed the ride so far!

With Thanksgiving around the corner, we wanted to give a very special shout out of thanks to YOU as the amazing educators you are! There are countless families that no doubt feel extremely grateful for the sweat and tears that you pour in every day for our future thinkers!

Speaking of sweat and tears... there are few sports as grueling as bull riding, where failure can absolutely cost someone their life under the hooves of a two thousand pound bull that is not so happy to be ridden. No doubt being a teacher holding on for dear life can seem like an obvious comparison! :)

But it got us thinking that "holding on" actually requires a lot more than just physical strength. Just as important are the influence of our emotional, mental, and spiritual states. The power of belief can drive away the negative thought patterns that make us believe anything is impossible. Being able to dance with fear to overcome that sickening feeling of overwhelm can be the difference between winning a belt, and becoming the belt!

Adrenaline might keep us goin for a little while, but every good cowboy (and cowgirl) must respect the space needed to unwind so that they refuel for the next ride, and the ride after that.

Not so dissimilar is life in the classroom it is crucial that we take a pit-stop to refuel between laps (or classes!) And when you get the chance make sure you select the highest quality of fuel! Figuring out exactly what re-energizes you in the very best way may require a little trial and error, so, as you head into Thanksgiving break, take stock of what people and activities really refuel versus drain you. And if it all turns to custard, just hum along to the holiday favorite "Friends in Low Places."

Love from the PDR team

holdingonwhen

8secondsseems impossible...

8 seconds doesn't seem so hard, unless you are faced with the opportunity of riding a real life, giant champion bull. You can hear him snorting as he waits for you in his chute.

Ah - no thanks.

Luckily we will not offer gift cards to try your fate with a bull (mechanical or otherwise) but we do want you to see it as an analogy. Life can offer opportunities sometimes for things that scare or overwhelm us. But when we can move through the fear, we grow. By continually stepping outside of our comfort zones, even 8 seconds at a time, they will never break us but instead stretch and develop us.

And when we come off the adrenalin high of having achieved the impossible, how do we release the physical evidence of our ride?

That will be different for everybody it may mean listening to your favorite jams, hiking or sweating it out in your local gym, or hanging with friends watching your favorite show. But don't get stuck thinking you know exactly what refuels you we strongly encourage you to try something new and see how you like it!

Bucking bronco here you come!

F-E-A-R has two meanings. Forget everything and run or face everything and rise.

- Zig Ziglarr

Thingsto thinkabout

What do bull riding cowboys, or race car drivers or even the greatest singer songwriters have in common? They all have a very intimate relationship with fear.

It is not that they don't feel the fear they absolutely do. But the fear does not stop them from doing what they want to do. Instead they use it to make them more alert and aware. They use the fear to keep themselves safe.

Fear is interesting as there is a physical response to it - that "fight or flight" feeling that releases cortisol and adrenaline through your body. And with the fear often come other emotions like anxiety, anger, and even overwhelm, and a jumble of those thought patterns that drive their intensity. But what is the worst thing that can really happen? Usually these are not really life or death scenarios, and instead our thoughts have exaggerated the risks we face.

So, take a moment to think about what scares you. Now really dig deep and find out what you would gain by moving through the fear and doing it anyway. Not every activity will leave us with the appropriate reward. It is only when we can lean into purpose, that we can move through fear.

RIDDLE

What is the easiest way to ride a steer?

Activity

What kind of a race will you choose for yourself?

Can you get the car safely to the finish line, or will you end up in just another dead end? And if headed to a dead end, will it at least be fun??

Did you hear about the rock that faced his greatest fear? He is now a little boulder.

I was told to get out of my comfort zone, So I started driving on the other side of the road. Not only am I uncomfortable, but so is everybody else!