Just like in the movie, Paul’s letter to the church in Philippi is about how our wellbeing depends upon joy and sadness being able to coexist. Paul talks about joy 14 times, in the part of the letter I just read he adds love and peace to the mix, writing what I’m calling the very first Social Emotional Learning Curriculum ever. Paul knew something about what we are still teaching 2,000 years later: a healthy and meaningful life requires managing emotions, achieving goals, showing empathy, developing relationships, and making responsible decisions.[1] This life-long learning happens at home, at school, in our careers, and at church.

[1] https://safesupportivelearning.ed.gov/hot-topics/social-emotional-learning