PLMS Counseling
May 18-22, 2020
'Sisu' Begins Where Perseverance Ends
The concept of 'sisu' is hundreds of years old and originates in Finland. 'Sisu' is more powerful than perseverance. 'Sisu' enables people to push through major challenges. It is relevant to all people and what we all have in common. 'Sisu' refers to extreme courage, determination, bravery, and grit.The core idea is that we have more strength than what we believe. For example, 'Sisu' helped Finnish soldiers to fight in the snow and cold winter temperatures against an overwhelming enemy during World War II. Marathon runners find 'sisu' when they keep running, although they feel there is almost nothing left. 'Sisu' highlights our inner strength. 'Sisu' can help us persevere through the Covid-19 pandemic -- when days become weeks, and weeks become months, and we experience frustration, hardships, and uncertainty on the way. We might feel like giving up, but we don't because we all have 'sisu' within us. We fall and we get up, and try again. That's 'sisu'!
Focus on What You're Going TO, Not What You're Going THROUGH
When challenges come your way, what do you do? It can be easy to lose hope, and wonder how you will make it through this. Some of us will make excuses, wallow in fear or doubt, or simply give up. What if you decided to see the good in everything that happens, taking whatever life throws at you, and turn it into an opportunity? Ask yourself, what can I do to push through my challenges? By embracing your challenges, you awaken an inner strength. Perseverance is continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition. It’s about focusing on what you're going to, not what you're going through.
Remember...
- You are not alone: Many people who have succeeded have endured hardships, challenges and failures at some point in their life.
- Have a clear goal: What you want to achieve should be very clear in your mind.
- Cultivate a support network: Ask for help, find people who will encourage you.
- Reflect on your progress: Celebrate how far you have come. Keep going, your hard work will pay off.
- Keep your eye on the goal: Visualize how good it will feel to finally succeed; let the good feelings motivate you.
- Don’t compare yourself to others: Seek inspiration and learn from others, but know everyone’s journey is different.
- Stay positive: Keep negative thinking at bay, remind yourself you are worthy of achieving your goal. Believe you can do it!
Perseverance is determining to keep on going in the face of setbacks and challenges. That inner drive keeps you going when everything else says it is time to quit.
Netflix Gems
The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
A British drama based on a true story of 13-year old boy in Malawian village who overcame opposition and challenges.
The Pursuit of Happyness (2006)
Inspiring movie based on a real story of a father who lost everything and built up his life in 1980s San Fransisco.
Sommeren '92 (2015)
A Danish film about the national soccer team that after a quirk of fate competes in 1992 UEFA European Football Championships.
Creativity Corner with Ms. Elliot
"Creativity takes courage." --Henri Matisse
This week I want to celebrate the artists who are creating and sharing their amazing works with neighbors, communities, friends, and also with strangers on the internet. It takes courage to put something so personal--art you created from a place deep inside--out there and open yourself up to judgment or criticism. It takes 'Sisu' to push yourself out of your cocoon and to share your art with others!
Many artists are stepping up during this time and are putting their art out there for all to enjoy. I'm moved whether I read about them, watch them on the internet, or experience them in real life. Picasso once said that, "The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." I agree; art brightens our days by waking us up and forcing us to pay attention to it. Art helps us be in the moment. It is fuel to help us through these long days at home. Below you can read about Seattle artists who have been painting boarded up storefronts to lift people's spirits. You can watch a video of ballet dancers from around the world all performing the same dance from Swan Lake. You can read about a Seattle sculptor who heard about area food banks running low, so he started creating metal sculptures and putting them on display in front of his house to raise money for Northwest Harvest. And then think, 'What can I give to my community?' Many of our students are amazing musicians. How about giving a concert on your front porch? In Duvall, where I live, lots of people, kids and teens especially, paint rocks and hide them all over town for people to find. A few years ago Ms. Hardy hired an artist to paint a colorful mural on her fence for her neighbors and the community to enjoy (see photo below). Even drawing some flowers with sidewalk chalk or writing inspirational messages will lift spirits. Art as a community service! How can you can share your art in your community?
And don't worry, as Maya Angelou once said, "You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have."
Ms. Hardy's fence at home painted by artist Josephine Rice
Mental Health with Ms. Rosie
Recently, most conversations with students and parents have been about stress, growth, and acceptance. As we continue to integrate this new normal, we are focusing on the small things:
Small ways to help others, and along the way, help ourselves
Focus on the small things we can control
Small ways to practice being in the present
Small thoughts about screen time: finding balance, finding the right plan for your kid,
Let's remember that through adversity, we build resilience—especially if we have people who believe in us, walk beside us, and let us handle it ourselves.
Want to foster resilience in your teen? Step back and let them fail (really, it’s a gift)…and then learn how to persevere.
PLMS School-Based Mental Health Counselor
Rosie Bancroft rosalie.bancroft@swedish.org
Crisis Text Line: 741-741
Crisis Connections: (206) 461-3210
PBSES with Ms. Berntsen
Two names immediately come to my mind when talking about perseverance – Angela Duckworth and Nick Vujicic. Angela gave a TED talk 'Grit: the power of passion and perseverance' that has become wildly popular talking about how to instill Grit and a growth mindset in students. Nick Vujicic was born with no arms and no legs. His life story of overcoming depression and the obstacles of navigating life without limbs is both inspirational and an example of what perseverance looks like in daily life. If you would like to find out a little bit more about Nick and his life, you can watch a short video clip here.
We got this,
Tori Berntsen
Local COVID-19 Resources
King County COVID-19 Resource Guide
Financial help: small business owners, unemployment, immigrant communities, public health housing cash & utilities (updated as of April 24, 2020).
Counseling Team
School Counselors (Student Last Names):
(A-Ho) Kristen Brittain: brittaink@issaquah.wednet.edu
(Hp-Pa) Kirsi Varsa: varsak@issaquah.wednet.edu
(Pb-Z) Meagan Elliot: elliotm@issaquah.wednet.edu
School Based Mental Health Counselor
Rosie Bancroft: rosalie.bancroft@swedish.org
PBSES Coach
Tori Berntsen berntsenv@issaquah.wednet.edu
Registrar
Lakshmi Palaniappan: palaniappanl@issaquah.wednet.edu