Channeling their energy

I had a spiritual direction session today, and I found myself saying things to the person that I need to take to heart myself. As you see good and important things that need to be done, what do you have to cut back on? If those activities and projects are really important, how can you inspire and enlist others to help you? I’m trying to dig out from the piles that have accumulated on my desk for the past 2 weeks, and know it is going to require patience, hard work and also some letting go.

As you see good and important things that need to be done, what do you have to cut back on?

After school, I stopped by the Rec Center to check out a couple of our newer extracurricular activities.  Houseparents, Chris and Aaron, were helping a group of archers to use the proper techniques and come closer to their target. That sport teaches the art of patience and self-control, and hopefully will inspire them to keep improving and achieve success, not just in a gym-but in life. The 4^th and 5^th grade boys have been rambunctious and had a few instances of name calling and bullying. They were in the game room working with Bryan and Bobby on a high energy body building exercise video. When I walked in near the end, they had worked up a good sweat, and hopefully channeled some of their energy into something more productive than fighting.

I ate supper with the Afra Home (1^st-3^rd grade girls). Since Spring Break begins tomorrow, all the homes are super charging to get things clean before they leave. This includes using up all the leftovers and perishables in the refrigerator. After supper Sherry, the Family Service Counselor, got a group of the girls together for an UNO game, which I joined. After several minutes of the girls arguing over who was going first and what direction we would go, Sherry took charge and got things started. If you’ve seen kids on the playground, they will often spend more time arguing about rules and who goes first than actual time playing. We are always looking for opportunities to teach and reinforce sharing and cooperation.

Author: St. Joseph's Indian School

At St. Joseph's Indian School, our privately-funded programs for Lakota (Sioux) children in need have evolved over 90 years of family partnership, experience and education. Because of generous friends who share tax-deductible donations, Native American youth receive a safe, stable home life; individual counseling and guidance; carefully planned curriculum based on Lakota culture and individual student needs and tools to help build confidence, boost self-esteem and improve cultural awareness. All of this helps children to live a bright, productive, possibility-filled future. View all posts by St. Joseph's Indian School