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It is November, traditionally a time to reflect and give thanks for all that we have been blessed with. A month where many of us focus on being thankful and take time to show our gratitude to the people in our lives and the things that we have. 

We’re living through unusual and trying times. The COVID-19 pandemic has people feeling stressed and frightened. This is a hard time for the world, because of the direct health and economic impacts and also the pervasive uncertainty. Our values are our best touchstone in such moments: our concern for people’s health and wellbeing; our commitment to teaching, both in the academic sense and by example of our behavior; and our appreciation for a sense of connection at work and in our personal lives. 

That’s why it’s perhaps more important than ever to focus on gratitude — the practice of noticing and being thankful for what is valuable and meaningful to us. It’s good for our mental and physical health, it can help us relax and its effects can help us stay well through the coronavirus pandemic and beyond.

Yes, I Said Gratitude Is Good for our Health. Focusing on silver linings. Counting our blessings. Stopping to smell the roses. These aren’t just cliches; they’re activities that research shows may enhance our quality of life. Gratitude is a relationship-strengthening emotion because it requires us to recognize how we’ve been supported and affirmed by other people. It makes us less likely to take what we have for granted, makes us more aware of life in the moment. 

Why Do We Need Gratitude Now? In times of crisis, it’s important to stay connected to others, and among its many other benefits, gratitude can help with this, too. Because gratitude is a “social emotion” connected to relationships, those practising it tend to be more helpful to others and more compassionate. They are more outgoing, more forgiving, feel less lonely or isolated.

As for myself, I have so much to be thankful for, I would like to take this brief space to share with you some of my reflections. I am thankful to God for all the blessings at St. Mary’s Academy School. I am thankful that God has blessed this school with an outstanding faculty and staff that sets high expectations for our students and works hard to help them achieve their goals. 

I am thankful that during this challenging time, our St. Mary’s staff and faculty have shown us the true character of our school community. They have demonstrated their incredible care for and commitment to our students. Although circumstances have dramatically altered their plans for research and teaching, they have stepped up at an important moment. They have shared their collective wisdom and resources with colleagues across the school, working rapidly and tirelessly to rewrite syllabi and take all of our educational efforts in person and online. I know how meaningful their efforts are for our students, and I want them to know how much all of us appreciate their hard work.

I also want to thank and recognize the dedication of our exceptional staff across the school. At a time of great need, they have stepped forward with flexibility, resilience and resolve. In addition to keeping our campus clean and safe, they are providing the entire IT infrastructure that is making all of our endeavors possible – from online classes, to Zoom meetings, to keeping our Learning Management System running smoothly. For many members of our school community, this has been a demanding time. So many of them have worked round-the-clock, night and day, without rest or relief. They have had to adjust work schedules. While words may be of little comfort, I want them to know this. We all see their efforts. We appreciate all of their contributions. And we are all truly grateful for their extraordinary service.

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I am also thankful for our Parents, Grandparents, Supporters, and Volunteers who support our school, not only financially, but also volunteering and with prayer. And of course I am so thankful for my family and friends.

And last but not least. please be sure to pay close attention to this month’s calendar, as there are some exciting events taking place this month. This monthly newsletter is designed to help keep you informed about the happenings at school and other useful information. Feel free to email me should you require further information.

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Adriana Williams