December Edition 2022
Williams Educational Consultants shares five educational topics that offer wisdom, guidance, and fun for the entire family on the fourth Friday of every month.
5 Wise Words From Wendy:
1. Prepare. Find humor in all things and turn obstacles into lessons this January by thinking positively and being kind to others. This simple act will prepare your heart and mind. Starting the year with a positive attitude and kindness toward others prepares you for your future.
2. Plan. We all know that January is the time to plan! The saying "failing to plan is planning to fail" means something! So plan each week as you begin the new year to reach deadlines, opportunities, and fun activities. Let us know what planner or tool you use for success!
3. Relax. Staying mindful is a great way to reduce stress. At the bottom of this newsletter, you will find "Mindfulness Moment#6: Presence," by Angela Cominos Koehler.
4. Support. Ending the year by supporting your connections is essential! Refresh, update, and clean up your social media accounts. A new look is always a great way to support yourself, start the year with positivity, and connect with the friends you want in your inner circle! It is okay to remove folks you never see or talk to anymore.
5. Love. A great way to love others is an old-fashioned thank you card! Thank you cards show appreciation and love to all those who supported you through the year. It is also great to reveal that you loved your holiday gifts! So, before you head back to school or work, write a thank you card to someone! It will brighten their day and make them feel good!
4 Current Conversations: Here are some great topics that create some of the hottest current conversations: 1. High School Rankings - ARE THEY IMPORTANT?
2. Will Law Schools withdrawing from US News Rankings help?
3. Interested in Application Trends? Check out Common App Report.
4. Don't forget about the CSS Profile.
3 School Snippets: Colleges often give great information on their sites:
1. Do College Reps Visit Your High School?
2. Don't Forget to send your Mid-Year Reports!
2 Private School Plugs: A section to focus on local private schools in metro Atlanta:
1. Atlanta Area Association of Independent Schools - a great guide to options locally.
2. Atlanta Parent is a great resource!
1 Recipe Randomness: Satisfying Tomato Soup by Taste of Home
Ingredients:
2 teaspoons canola oil
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
2 cans (14-1/2 ounces each) diced tomatoes, undrained
1-1/2 cups water
2 teaspoons brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon coarsely ground pepper
Minced fresh basil, optional
Directions:
In a large saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and celery; cook and stir until tender, 2-4 minutes. Add remaining ingredients, except for optional fresh basil. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.
Puree soup using an immersion blender. Or cool soup slightly and puree in batches in a blender; return to pan and heat through. If desired, top with fresh minced basil.
Grilled Cheese Croutons:
For croutons that won't immediately soak up all the soup, use day-old bread and cook it slower than normal so you end up with a crispy, drier sandwich. Butter one side of two slices of day-old, hearty bread. Place one slice in a skillet over medium-low heat; top with your favorite cheese slices. Top with the second slice, butter side up, and cook until dark golden brown, 4-5 minutes. Flip and cook another 4-5 minutes. Remove and cut into cubes.
Mindfulness Moment #6: Presence
“When you love someone, the best you can offer is your presence.”
-Nhat Hanh
As much of this month is spent scurrying about frantically searching for the perfect PRESENT for everyone on your gift list online or in the stores, I invite you to rather focus on PRESENCE-the gift of truly being with someone. As this month allows you more free time from school, see if you can put your phone down more actually experiencing life and your moments more than posting them or checking social media. What would happen if you listened to your grandpa's story or assisted your grandma in baking cookies? How would your little brother feel if you read him a holiday story or your friend if you give your attention to her for the entire time you are at lunch together? What would happen if you suggested a holiday hike with your family? In this quote from the movie The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, “To see the world things dangerous to come to, to see behind walls, draw closer, to find each other, and to feel. That is the purpose of life.” So this holiday season, draw closer, find each other, and feel giving the gift of your presence to someone you love. It will be the best gift you have ever given.
How can you be more present this month?
Do you want more mindfulness and wellness in your life? Contact Angie for a Well-being coaching session or yoga and/ or meditation session. To purchase her book, please click here.
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