At Everest Academy, each week we highlight a virtue to help guide our students, staff, and families in the journey of integral formation. This week, our focus is on the strength of detachment.
Detachment is not about giving up what we love or living without joy. Rather, it is the freedom of heart that allows us to place God first, to recognize that our true happiness and security are found in Him, not in material possessions, recognition, or even our own plans. When we practice detachment, we can love others more fully and live with peace, no matter the circumstances.
Think about how often we are tempted to cling tightly to things—whether it’s our devices, our routines, our comfort, or even the desire to always have things “our way.” Detachment invites us to loosen our grip, to trust that God provides, and to use the gifts He gives us for the good of others.
For our students, detachment might look like:
- Sharing a favorite toy or book with a sibling or friend.
- Accepting when plans change without complaining.
- Choosing to do a chore or homework before playing a game.
For us as adults, detachment could mean:
- Letting go of worry when things don’t go according to plan.
- Prioritizing prayer and family over busyness or work pressures.
- Giving generously, even when it requires sacrifice.
Ultimately, detachment is about freedom—the kind of freedom that allows us to follow Christ wholeheartedly, without being weighed down by what doesn’t last.
As St. Teresa of Calcutta beautifully said, “If you are attached to the things of this world, you cannot be free.”
May this week be an opportunity for all of us to ask: what do I need to let go of so I can grow closer to God and love others better?