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Cognitive Flexibility is... Our ability to adapt or adjust our strategies when we face new and unexpected conditions in the environment. When we develop cognitive flexibility, we are better able to cope with change and new information. Resilience is... Our ability to become strong, healthy, or successful again after something bad happens. It is our ability to adjust or recover from change and difficulty. Resilience doesn’t mean we never feel sad, frustrated, angry or afraid - expressing all of our feelings in a healthy way is a good way to build resilience. The above two definition of important life skills come from the Umbrella Project. The purpose of the Umbrella Project is to equip students with tools and skills to deal with the inevitable challenges of life. This morning as I spoke with students during our morning greeting time, I could hear the students articulate these skills in their own words. I asked them to compare the online learning experience now with the time in January and basically asked how they are adapting this time. Many students stated it was easier this time or about the same. When exploring why it was easier, the students said that they knew what to expect; they knew the routines, and felt they had the support they needed. This is cognitive flexibility and resilience in action. It is a sign that our students are coping and healthy. More importantly, it also means they [...]

“That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side.” Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, “Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?” He got up, rebuked the wind, and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.” Mark 4:35-39 This week, I strongly identified with the disciples. After a nice, peaceful Easter weekend, the storms let loose once again Monday night. Once again, I, likely we, was plunged into the swirling mess of lack of communication, the darkness of not knowing anything, being hit on several sides with a wind of questions, and facing the fear of uncertainty. Nothing seems predictable. I imagine many of you can identify with these feelings. We all have been living this way for over one year now. It is easy for despair to set in. This is how the disciples felt. They went to a sleeping Jesus and asked, “Don’t you care if we drown?” I imagine that just before this scene the disciples were working furiously to save themselves. They likely tried to [...]