From the Head of School - February 19, 2019

Dear Parents, Alumnae, & Friends, 
 
I have read many of John Maxwell's books; however, the one that I reference the most in my work as Head of School is How Successful People Think. Over the course of my tenure at Padua, I have challenged both teachers and students to cultivate big-picture thinking. David Schwartz says, "Where success is concerned, people are not measured in inches, or pounds, or college degrees, or family backgrounds: they are measured by the size of their thinking."
 
French essayist Michel Eyquem de Montaigne wrote, "The value of life lies not in the length of days, but in the use we make of them; a man [or woman] may live long yet very little." Big-picture thinkers are able to accomplish much more than narrow-minded thinkers, no matter the circumstance or career. They are more likely to see many components: issues, people, relationships, timing, and value. These are the people who are more tolerant of other people in their thinking and  ideas. I am proud to say that this kind of environment is Padua. Everyone working at Padua is on a journey to become big-picture thinkers.
 
Now let's bring Jesus into this conversation. In Matthew 7:5 we read, "Do not judge so that you will not be judged.  For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?  Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' and behold, the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye."
 
Jesus creates Big Thinkers. We can't be tolerant of others and offer peace to the world if we do not expand our completeness of thought.
 
Will you pray with me?
Father, never let us get so lost in the weeds that we forget the beauty of the sky. Bless all of us this week, keep us near to You.
In Jesus we pray, Amen
 
I love you all,
Mrs. Mann
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