Mindful Monday: Joy is Not Extra

Are you making time for things that bring you joy?

It's easy to get caught in the grind, ticking off the to do list, doing what needs to be done. But are you making time for things that bring you joy?

Now that school is back in session, if you find your joy fading, know you're not alone.

The joy and peace you found during the summer months won't sustain you during the school year. We must make time for the things that bring us joy during the school year, as well! It's imperative to our health that we continue to make ourselves a priority!

Doing something that brings you joy, no matter how small, has a wonderful effect on us. It has a way to bring us peace, and it's a great way to reset from the stresses in our lives. If you're not making time for joy, then life's stresses are simply adding up. And that's not sustainable. 

You deserve joy in your life! Not only during the summer months, but during the school year, too!

Mindful Monday: Beauty of Brokenness

Todd Nesloney recently posted a blog stating that "Broken Hearts are the Best Hearts". His premise is that the grief, the pain, the struggle, the hurt...it all makes us better. However, he clarified that brokenness leaves us with a choice. We can choose to be bitter or choose to be better.

Because of the trials you have been through, you are a better teacher. Because of the mistakes you have learned from, you are a better human. Because of the grief you have experienced, you are a more compassionate person. Because of the struggles you have navigated, you are a better friend. 

Know that your mistakes, your pain, your "brokenness" is NOT a weakness and should not be hidden. Instead, your brokenness is what makes you better equipped to lead our students. It's what makes you more resilient. Your brokenness makes you more equipped to traverse this epic journey we call life.

At the end of the day, know that we are not looking for perfect. We are looking for real people who have experienced real life to lead our students in authentic ways. Thank you for embracing your brokenness and choosing to be better because of it. 

Mindful Monday: This year, instead of...

New school years are exciting! Everything is fresh and new. The possibilities are endless. As exciting as that all can be, it can be equally overwhelming. Not sure about you, but I can be my own worst enemy especially when I second guess myself and doubt creeps in.

This year, instead of feeling like you have to figure it all out on your own, instead of feeling like you are the only one that isn't excelling, instead of thinking that it's just you, I challenge you to pause, take a deep breath, and know this...

Instead of feeling like you have to figure it all out...

There is a wealth of knowledge in this building. There are innovative ideas from staff that are recent graduates. There are new takes from our colleagues that have joined us from other campuses. Not to mention, there are tried and tested stategies from our veteran teachers that have honed their skills over many years of practice. And not to be forgotten, our teacher aids and admin staff bring an unparalleled amount of experience with them. Utilize them all. Tap into these resources. Stop reinventing the wheel. 

Instead of feeling like you are the only one that isn't excelling...

First, know that mistakes/failure/errors, they are ALL a part of the learning process. I know we tell our students this all the time, but it's time we start taking our own advice. We have to give ourselves grace when our lessons don't go according to plan. In fact, I would be down right gobsmacked if all your lessons were "home runs". We have to model for our students what productive struggle looks like and how to ask for help when needed, as this is a lifelong skill. Just because we are the teachers doesn’t mean that we are exempt from this.

Instead of feeling like it's just you...

When you're in the thick of your feelings, it's easy to feel like it's just you. It's easy to feel like no one else is having as bad of a day as you or their class isn't as hard as yours. However, I promise it's not just you. I promise you are not the only one questioning themselves. You are not the only one struggling. We're all going through it. I would implore you on the days that it feels like you're in this alone, reach out. Reach out to the colleague next door. Reach out to the veteran teacher down the hall. Reach out to the admin team. We're better together! 

Mindful Monday: Ready or Not

Ready or not, students are coming this week.

I get not feeling ready. I get there is always more that needs doing. I get there are more unknowns than knowns right now. But, ready is not a feeling, it's a decision.

This week, before the students arrive, I hope "ready" looks like for you...

• Deciding to give all your students fresh starts no matter what you heard from last year.
• Deciding that some days, done is better than perfect. 
• Deciding that giving yourself grace is always better than giving yourself a hard time. 
• Deciding that while every day isn't always good; you can find the good in every day. 
• Deciding that while teaching is hard, it's always worth it.

Here's to being ready for another great year. Wishing you all an amazing first day!

Mindful Monday: If Life is a Potluck

Brad Montague wrote a blog a while back titled, Life is a Potluck. He went on to say, "Some seasons, you bring the casserole. Some seasons, you bring the napkins. Some seasons... you show up with nothing but your tired self and hope nobody makes a big deal of it.

Some of you are showing up today excited for this new year. You are full of hope and can't wait to get started. You are the folks bringing the casserole. Others may still be processing last school year or are feeling anxious about the unknowns this year holds, and you are doing good to bring the napkins. If you find yourself in the third group, just showing up, know that you are not alone, and we are just as happy to have you. You are still bringing something to the table by just being here.

Montague goes on to say that, "If life really is a potluck, then it's not about trying to impress each other. It's just to be there. Bring what you can. Receive what you need. Make room for someone else."

In order for a potluck to work, we can't all bring casseroles. We need some to bring the side dishes, some to bring dessert, while others bring the napkins. Not to mention, we need folks to eat all the food.

Just like everything else in life, the seasons we find ourselves in change. When we find ourselves simply showing up, thank goodness there are others to help carry the load. And when we find ourselves in a place to lend a helping hand, know others are grateful for you.

This year, I imagine we will all find ourselves making the casserole some weeks, and bringing the napkins other weeks. Thank you for showing up to this potluck no matter what season of life you find yourself in.

Mindful Monday: If You Could Only Sense

 

I've said it before, and I'll say it again and again, what you do day-in and day-out is nothing short of amazing! 

This year, you showed up for our students in ways most of us will never truly know.

This year, you put in the time and effort with a student who outwardly never seemed to appreciate it.

This year, you tried new things, you failed, and then you tried again.

This year, you showed up on days you were tired, on days you didn't feel like it, and even on days you were feeling less than your best. 

This year, you gave of your time, your energy, and your talents in ways that can't begin to be measured.

Teaching is not just a profession, it is a calling. 

THANK YOU for answering this call.

THANK YOU for choosing to be here. 

THANK YOU for leaving a little bit of yourself, the best part of yourself, with all those you met. 

I assure you, your impact is far reaching. And while much of your impact you may never see or truly understand, know that others see you. Thank you for another amazing year! 

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Thank you...I consider it a great privilege to start your week off reminding you of your amazingness, that you're not alone in this, and that you are enough just as you are. Wishing you all a summer filled with whatever brings you joy! See you all in the fall! 

Mindful Monday: If Only, It Were That Easy

If only, it were that easy.

End of year stress is an entirely different animal than beginning of year stress. End of year stress is coupled with profound exhaustion, limited patience, often compounded with a heavy dose of cynicism.

 I get we are only a handful of days away until the official end of the year, but I want to take a moment to remind you just how essential self care is. Self care is not a luxury. It is not for only when you have the time (like only during the summer). And it is certainly not selfish.

I'm sure you are counting the days for your summer-self to return. You know the person I'm talking about; the version of you that gets laundry done during the week and cooks homemade meals. The version of you that actually rests and sleeps when you are tired, takes walks, and reads for fun. The summer version of you puts yourself and your family first. As you begin to consider what self care looks like for yourself this summer, create habits that you can maintain when the school year starts back in August.

In order to be the best version of ourselves at work AND at home, selfcare not only has to become a priority, it has to become a habit. Afterall, you are worth it!