Have you taken the time lately to stop for a moment and take notice of what is going on around you?

Possibly you may have paused for a few seconds to see the ice forming on the trees and windows during our latest ice storm. In the fast paced world that we live in, it seems almost foreign to stop and observe things, as we feel constantly bombarded with information and countless stimuli.

I recently came across an article that highlighted the importance of observation as a critical skill for students’ success in the classroom and the real world. The depth to which we connect information and create new experiences has a direct correlation to our ability to make meaningful observations and grow. Take for example our students who are currently working on their Science Fair projects. Their ability to observe what is taking place during their experiment will have a significant impact on the validity of the conclusions they will reach. The same can be said of their classroom experience in general.

How can we become more observant and help our children to do the same? George Couros shares the following 4 tips:

• Listening more.
• Slowing down.
• Taking the time to write and process your reflections.
• Cutting out as much unnecessary negativity in your life as possible.“

The one that stood out for me the most was the final one. Our thoughts can easily become consumed by the negative influences of others or simply skewed by the negative attitude that we approach various situations. Couros goes on to suggest that a meaningful acronym to shift our focus is “PACE” or “ Positive Attitude Changes Everything.” This is also captured by a famous quote from Zig Ziglar that “It is your attitude, more than your aptitude, that will determine your altitude.” As Christians, we can find countless examples in the Bible of the importance of being watchful, renewing our minds, and maintaining a Christ-like attitude.

While we cannot control what comes our way, we can control our attitude and find ways to pause and become more observant.

J-D Lussier, Principal