Sometimes You Need to Care Less So You Can Care Longer

Short term solutions have short term impacts.

Photo by Matt Collamer on Unsplash

Holiday Headlines

Did you see the news story about the man who saw a little girl walking to school in the snow so he bought her mom a new car?

I hope you’re not nodding because I made that one up.

But these types of acts of generosity are always making headlines during the holiday season. And I’m a sucker for them too, tearing up when I hear about people giving away unimaginable amounts of time or money.

I always wonder if people who do these things are motivated by empathy or driven to seek attention. On my most optimistic days, I believe that there are just some people who are endowed with more compassion that the rest of us. When I’m feeling pessimistic, I wonder if they are hoping for Facebook likes or an invitation to be on the Ellen show.

Maybe it doesn’t matter

The Invisible Toll of Unmet Needs

I teach at a high school that has a significant number of students who qualify for the federal government’s Free and Reduced Lunch program.

The stories I hear from my students will squeeze your heart like a lemon. I’ve learned that I have to be careful how I talk about them…