It’s time to “BE THERE” for each other

   Pandemic preparation for school has been very weird, to say the least. During my teaching career, July/August represents the time to reflect on what I learned from the previous school year and apply this new knowledge to the next 9 months. Goodness, there has been a huge batch of learning since March. Yes, as challenging as the end of the school year was, there were methods, lessons, and procedures that will make future instruction better.
   The science side of our pandemic has played out much as I have read about, thus anticipated some of our new reality. In a conversation with my brother, I predicted it would hit hard and we would come together for a rebound late summer or early fall. The public has been “Hit Hard”, socially and economically.  The sad surprise is I didn’t see the political divide during a human time of crisis, rather than coming together. I truly don’t understand how a pandemic is a platform for any party or elected person to use for leverage, but I’m a middle school STEM teacher, not a political science major.
   I still believe that “Most People” in our country want what is best for themselves, their families, and neighbors. Since Washington is choosing not to lead with that mindset, we “Most People”, have to take ownership of a better today and tomorrow. This view is far from political and meant to be exactly that. It is time for the FISH Philosophy approach!
   My first exposure to FISH Philosophy was the spring of 1999. Let me tell you what they are:

• “Choose Your Attitude” - It all starts here, every morning, and the beginning of our day. It isn’t easy to “Choose Your Attitude” in trying times, but we owe it to ourselves and those around us to attempt to pick a path of good each day.
• “Be There” - This is so simple and important. Just “Be There” can be as direct as truly listening to someone with their thoughts. This act is not fixing a situation or giving advice, but just “Be There”.
• “Make Their Day” - My grandpa always said; “Give a smile and you will always get a smile”. “Make Their Day” can be that easy, like opening a door for someone, buying a beverage for the person behind you in line, or giving a smile, with empathy.
• “Play” - Middle school students are really good at this one, but we all need some “Play”. Find that light hearting activity that makes one smile inside and by the way, it can be fun too.

   I have used these four philosophies in my classrooms ever since and in my daily life. My family has heard me say often, it's time to choose your attitude. I would like to add one more to my list and that is “RESPECT”. As we go through our day via FISH Philosophy, it means very little if we don’t respect ourselves and the people around us.
   We all have been given today. There are challenges on most days, but especially during a pandemic. We will all need a boost at times. Be the person to give a boost via FISH Philosophy or your own giving means. We need to let the good in all of us have a chance to come out, showing respect to others, as we are all in this fishbowl of life.

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