2013 Thank you from Linda

As we come to the end of this year, it is with great pleasure that I share with all of you in our accomplishments – individually, as families, and as a community. Individually, we look back on the insights that we learned throughout the year. At the same time we consider how to actualize these lessons in the future. We must think about where would we like to see ourselves in 2014 and our action plans that will get us there.

When we extend these insights, motivations, and plans to our families, we realize the valuable lessons they have learned and reflect on how they will make the best of it for next year. Thinking about the toughest lessons I’ve learned this year, I’m reminded of Milton Erickson, world famous psychotherapist and polio survivor, who said “Life’s difficulties are merely necessary roughage”. Things happen that we must chew over and work through, but in the end, it’s those experiences that ultimately cleanse the system to make it function better than ever.

Salvador Minuchin says that 69% of what we do are mistakes. In other words, if we do one of three things right, then we are doing wonderfully. The brain is an experienced-driven organ and it’s plasticity allows us to grow in so many ways. This next year, I encourage you to reach out and try new experiences and truly reflect on the learning moments. Even though only one of three of them may work out “right”, all of them will be learning opportunities to build you neuronal connections in the brain. A New Year’s resolution might be “to continue to build resilience and flexibility in ourselves, our children, and our community”. Perhaps you have another resolution, and we would love to hear about them on our Facebook page.

I wish everyone a very happy new year filled with new experiences and greater insights.

Thank you,

Linda