Mindful Monday: Not Fine

 We have officially made it to May. We have nearly survived yet another year of "do more with less". There is only so much more data that needs collecting. There are a finite number of recess and after school duties left. State testing is in our rearview mirror for the year, and there is only so much curriculum left to cover. That, in and of itself, deserves a sigh of relief (and maybe a hallelujah!)

I know our tanks are near empty. And most of us might say we're doing "fine", but I'd imagine that is far from the truth. And that's okay! I get our default answer is fine. I get it's easy to simply put our heads down and grind our way to the end; afterall, we can see the light- there is hope within reach. But know, that "not fine", especially this time of the year, is okay too!

Don't feel like you have to "just make it" through this month. Take a breath. Be proud of the work you have done this year. Acknowledge  your journey and all you have overcome, conquered, and faced head on. 

If you are not fine, know you're not alone. If you're not fine, take a deep breath and drop your shoulders, then consider another deep breath. Find a friend, a teammate, a co-worker down the hall, a confidant you haven't checked in with lately, or even ME! Let them know if you need to be Helped, Hugged, or simply Heard because at the end of the day, you are absolutely NOT alone in this journey.

 

Mindful Monday: If You're a Pile of Goo...

This is for anyone who feels like the last day of school is forever away. This is for anyone who feels like they might not have anything left to give, who's sunshine isn't so bright, who's patience is nowhere to be found, and who's motivation is long gone.

It's okay if you feel like a pile of "goo", summer if around the corner. Your days of wrapping yourself up in a "cocoon" are not far off. And before you know it, you will emerge on the other side as a beautiful butterfly.

Hand in there!!! (The end is within reach!) 

 

Mindful Monday: You're NOT Broken

Let's face it, we are all deeply broken humans pieced and glued together. I'm here to tell you that it's not a bad thing. There is nothing to be ashamed of. We are all doing the best we can, and at the end of the day, that's all we can expect. 

Your journey, your path, it all let you here. It has shaped who you are. You are better because of the broken pieces NOT despite them. 

Next time you find yourself trying to hide your imperfections or over compensate for your jagged edges, embrace them all. Be that disco ball and let the magical amazingness that is ALL of you shine bright for all to see. 

Mindful Monday: Celebrate More

When a student finally masters a skill that you've been helping them with, it's understandable that you would make a big deal about it. It's an accomplishment (often for both parties involved). When a friend gets a new job, we celebrate. We are excited for them. When we reach a weight loss goal, we might treat ourselves to a new outfit. Afterall, we earned it.

The unfortunate thing about all these celebrations is that we tend to be one and done. Finding success doesn't eliminate the need for encouragement. 

After our students master the new skill, do we commend them and make an equally big deal when the new unit is introduced and they understand it without help? Adter the friend has had the new job for a while, do we acknowledge them for taking on new challenges? Once we've shed the pounds, do we give ourselves credit for keeping the weight off?

It's easy to acknowledge the big things, the more obvious things. However, Zig Ziglar once stated, "People often say that motivation doesn't last. Well, neither does bathing- that's why we recommend it daily." This is where you come in. Notice the big things, but more importantly, take the time to notice the small things, too.

Notice when a student is able to use a strategy without needing your help. Acknowledge the student who always does the right thing. Compliment the co-worker for sticking with it even when it's hard. And give yourself kudos everytime you skip the bag of cookies.

We all need acknowledgement. And more importantly, we need it more than just when we clear the first hurdle. 

I challenge you all to make it a point to celebrate 3 people this week in a personal and meaningful way. It doesn't have to include confetti (although it would make it more fun). No balloons, banners, or cakes are necessary. We're all moving at such a fast pace, take the extra 30-60 seconds to comment how proud you are, make mention that you see their effects, and remind them that you will continue to cheer them on.

Mindful Monday: Your Amazingness

State Testing. 

These are probably the two most hated words in education. Yet​, it’s a part of life. There's no way around it.

As testing gets underway this week and you wonder if you’ve done enough​, wonder if they’ve learned enough​, wonder if they were listening​ during your lessons, if it all sunk​ in, if those small groups made a difference​, I assure you​... it’s all been enough! 

Don’t let the ​"​what ​ifs​" creep in. Don’t let the anxiety win. Know that​, just like your students are more than a ​single test score, so are you! 

T​his one day, this one snapshot, in no way culminates all your dedication, all the time and energy you have poured into our students this year. ​

They've got this because of YOU! 

Mindful Monday: YOU are the Blessing

I heard a quote the other day and it hit a little differently. "Sometimes it feels like nothing good happens to you. ​M​aybe that’s because you are the good that’s happening to others. Y​O​U are the blessing​." 

Hearing that felt like a mic drop moment. 

​When we’re grinding through life, ​it's the good that makes the grind survivable. Sometimes we’re just hoping for a glimmer of light, some words of affirmation, ​maybe somebody to notice us to get us through the day.​ However​, have you considered that perhaps ​Y​OU are that glimmer of hope​, that light shining upon others​? Perhaps ​Y​OU are the good that others are so desperately needing. ​J​ust maybe ​your friendly smile in the hallway is ​exactly what that person needed to make it through the afternoon. Maybe your kind words stuck with them and carried them through the week​.

​When you’re looking for the good ​around you, consider ​Y​OU may very well be the good others are looking for.​ YOU are that blessing! 

Mindful Monday: Don't Listen to Yourself

"Don't listen to yourself. Talk to yourself." I heard this quote for the first time the other day, and it completely resonated with me.

I'm sure it's not news to hear that we tend to be our own worst critics. We would never speak to our loved ones the way we often speak to ourselves.  We are quick to nit pick and criticize our choices. We beat ourselves up over our shortcomings. And the crazy part about this is that we believe it all. 

So enough. Stop listening to your inner voice. Stop listening to those intrusive thoughts that say 'you can't' or 'you're not enough'. 

Instead, be intentional and speak light into your life. Speak words of affirmations. Be kind to yourself. If you're not in a place where you're ready to believe it, then believe what others tell you. When someone tells you how great you are, believe it. When something shares how grateful they are for you, believe them. When a compliment is shared with you, accept it.