While many Thanksgiving favorites contain a lot of unhealthy ingredients, some sides are actually very healthy. Brussels sprouts are full of vitamins A and C and also have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Try roasting your Brussels sprouts with a small amount of olive oil and ...
Giving thanks is the easiest thing we can do, yet sometimes we get so caught up in the daily grind, we miss opportunities to slow down and offer sincere thanks.
Think of how many times a day you say "thanks." Now, think about the sincerity of your gratitude. Did you ever meet someone who totally locked in on you to go above and beyond in how they thanked you? Some folks have a genuine gift for doing this. Hannah Whitall Smith said, "The soul that gives thanks can find comfort in everything; the soul that complains can find comfort in nothing."
November is a time for giving thanks. We are thankful that we live in a country where democracy and free elections are held each year, followed by Veterans Day, when we thank our veterans for their service in protecting such freedoms. In our November board of education meeting, we thanked our outgoing board members for their service and dedication to the students of McDowell County Schools. Members Terry English, Amy Moomaw, Michelle Pupoh and Beth Silver were recognized and given an opportunity to speak.
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Mr. English, a long-standing board member who has served the community for seven terms over 28 years, took the time to be thankful in that moment. In his remarks, he thoughtfully expressed his cherished time on the board, recognizing the collective efforts rather than commenting on his years of service or how hard he had worked. Mr. English expressed gratitude toward his fellow members and to me. It was a great example of service above self. This pay-it-forward response is good for our soul and often found in a teacher's or coach's heart.
Teachers and coaches are optimists. They are the ones who remind us to see our glass as half full. They provide respectful critical feedback that makes us grow, and when they offer thanks, it feels sincere and makes us feel important to them.
Occasionally, students reciprocate the thanks, writing notes of gratitude to their teachers. The ones we remember the most are when we least expected them. The student who wrote a kind note describing how something from the classroom made them feel special. Other times, a student sends something in the mail, or a senior who we last saw when they were in elementary school took the time to send a graduation card thanking us for helping them get to that point. We try not to classify the level of thanks, but, undoubtedly, those sincere, thoughtful, impromptu thank you notes are unforgettable.
Taking the time to write a thank you note is important, and it's a great skill we all should have. This year, around the holidays, I encourage you to write to those who inspired you. Tell them how their encouragement or kindness made a difference for you. Reach out to your former teachers and help your children write a note to their teachers.
This Thanksgiving, I encourage you and those you hold dear to talk about what you are thankful for. Remember to pay it forward and truly embrace the season by recognizing those who helped you along the way. On behalf of McDowell County Schools, we wish you and yours a happy Thanksgiving.
Tracy Grit is the superintendent of McDowell County Schools.
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