The budstands for all things,
even for those things that don’t flower,
for everything flowers, from within, of self-blessing;
though sometimes it is necessaryto reteach a thing its loveliness,
to put a hand on its brow
of the flower
and retell it in words and in touch
it is lovely
until it flowers again from within, of self-blessing
-From St. Francis and the Sow by Galway Kinnell
I was introduced to Fr. Gregory Boyle by a wise friend recently. If you don’t know who Fr. Greg is, this video is a great place to start. After learning about Fr. Greg and Homeboy Industries, I ordered a copy of Tattoos on the Heart. I am in love with the book, turning the corner on nearly every page to remember to go back and reread. Fr. Greg quoted poet Galway Kinnell in the book, reminding us that we all have loveliness inside us. But, sometimes it is necessary to introduce someone to his/her loveliness and “sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness”.
Reading that line last night, I thought of the new school year ahead of us. We definitely will encounter students, staff, and families who either are not aware of their loveliness yet or have forgotten that which is in them that makes them lovely.
This new school year brings us a beautiful opportunity to look for the loveliness in others, to open their eyes to their loveliness, and to teach those around us how to love themselves. In the words of Galway Kinnell, let’s tell people how lovely they are until they “flower again from within, of self-blessing”.
You are lovely. So is everyone you will meet this school year.
Serendipity in Education 
What a gift, to look for, encourage and pick out the loveliness in one another. Happy new year!
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Such a wonderful and tender message about reteaching someone their loveliness.
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