The Thrill of a Tour

One of the great gifts I have is to show off the amazing St. Joseph School to prospective families. We have a great and hard-working staff. We are blessed with a tremendous campus and supportive Pastor. It is truly a joy to show off our school.

It is easy in this job - or any job - to focus on the negative. The problems we always see: the trash blowing into the yard from the street, the splotch of paint, the pigeons which defecate on the sidewalk, the stubborn scores that won't rise, the staff member that can be a bit grouchy...etc etc etc

BUT on a tour, that's not the focus. It's a chance to step back and with new eyes see the joy that is our school. It's a chance to show what is going well (and even acknowledge what can still be improved). It's a chance to welcome someone into our school family and share the joy that inhabits these structures, staff members, students, and people.

I wish I could keep that attitude of the touring principal in the forefront of my head more often. That sense of joy and positivity would make me a better leader, a better father, and a better Catholic. For it is in joy that we can acknowledge our blessings and the who that is doing the blessing.