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This year our Sacred Heart Goal is Personal Growth. The schools in our Network are all celebrating the same goal and working towards building strong foundations on which we can prepare for the future.
In our school [Roehampton Sacred Heart Primary] we started The Year of Personal Growth with an Inset for staff where I gave a reflection about Personal Growth and linked it to Lego. I have adapted this for the 180 reflection this month.
Firstly, what do the words 'personal growth' mean to you?
We often think this means achieving the amazing, being the best at something, learning new things, passing exams, being a better person than the person you already are.
Let us change that mindset when we reflect, to think about how you are amazing just as you are.
You are amazing no matter what mistakes you make.
As people of faith, we know we are not here by accident; we are part of God’s plan.
Life is about figuring out what our purpose is.
So far, what are we thinking our purpose is?
There is a lot going on in the world. As adults, we are emotionally intelligent and often developed enough to understand and deal with these events, to process what’s going on in the news but sometimes it can be overwhelming. Sometimes we need someone to listen to, sometimes we need guidance, to know it is OK to make mistakes.
Who do we go to when we feel like this?
Am I there for those who need to be listened to?
Now, more than ever, it is imperative that we look after our mental health and, more importantly, to discuss our mental health. Building resilience and picking yourself up when life throws you a curve ball is one of the most important life skills.
There is no handbook for life, no one telling you how to do things or how to cope when mistakes happen.
God’s love for us never ends, and nothing can separate you from the love of God, no matter what mistakes you make.
I saw these colours online a while ago.
I saved it because it rang so true with me - and I’m sure you can relate to it, too.
Sometimes I get home from work feeling so happy: I did something really good today; my staff meeting went well.
Other times I get home with frustration bubbling inside of me because of a parent who emailed the office to share their concerns over something trivial; I feel like I made a mistake.
Sometimes I remember someone I miss and feel sad. Sometimes I replay conversations or situations over and over in my head, wishing I’d not said that thing or acted that way; again, feeling like I made a mistake.
Other days I get home and sink into the sofa full of contentment and think, 'Well done, Sarah, you did a great job today, well done.'
Every day is different. No two days are the same, no two hours are the same in teaching, it’s why I love my job.
What remains the same, though, is that those moments of anger, sadness and stress will pass. Regardless of how your day unfolds, you are worthy, and you are wonderful, just as you are. You don’t have to be the most successful, you don’t have to be the best, you don’t have to have a good day every day. You are worthy and you are wonderful just as you are.
The picture reminded me of Lego blocks, and so that is why we based our theme of Personal Growth around Lego. I started thinking about Lego, not just the colours represented in this picture but how small children use it to make imaginative creations. If one Lego block is on its own, you can’t build anything with it. You have to start with one block to build anything. If you are building with Lego and you make something you don’t like, you just take it apart and start again.
There are no mistakes when building with Lego, you just take it apart and start again. I think Lego is a good symbol for the year of personal growth.
All the staff took home a Lego keyring to remind them of the reflection. When two keyrings are joined together, they make a heart shape to remind them that they are not alone, that God’s love never ends and that they are worthy, and wonderful, just as they are.
Which colours represent how you are feeling today?
We ask Madeleine Sophie to pray with us as we pray the Prayer of Personal Growth
Lord, you call us to live life to the full,
You have a plan for each of us which will give us hope for our future
Help us to grow personally to enable us to respond to your call by:
Discovering and using our gifts and talents
Being truthful and honest
Forgiving others
Treating others as we would like to be treated
Giving joy to others
Growing in self-confidence and resilience
Developing our leadership in actions and words
May we live this in our lives each day, knowing that the love of the Sacred Heart of Jesus will guide us in all that we do
Amen
Sarah Langford
Goals Co-Ordinator, Sacred Heart Roehampton