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. 

Mindful Monday: Love > Hate

To say there is a lot going on in the world today seems to be an understatement. There is so much noise these days, so much screaming, I can hardly hear my own thoughts. 

I absolutely get there is a lot to be upset about. I get the "other side" (whichever side that may be) never seems to get it. I get there are real issues and topics we should absolutely be concerned with. 

However, at what point will we tire of being filled with rage? When will we grow weary of insisting we're right and "they" are wrong. When will the fatigue set in from only pointing out differences? 

At some point, we have to all agree that hate is not the answer. 

Thank you for being a part of a profession that chooses to embrace hope. 

Thank you for being a part of a profession that adds love to this world each and every day. 

And thank you for being a part of a profession that knows we are better together.  

Mindful Monday: Feeding Your Peace

Valentine's Day tends to consume the month of February with a particular focus on loving others. Here's the thing, in education, we give a lot of ourselves to others. It's time we shift the focus to self love. 

This month, I challenge you to focus on 'starving your fears and feeding your peace'. It's easy to focus on the future and get trapped in the what ifs, the what might be's, and the hope nots. The next thing we know we are trying to control it all, plan it all out, and avoid potentially negative scenarios. The thing is, we aren't in control of it all. And when we feed our fears, we feel even more stressed. 

Instead, feed your peace. Focus on what you can control. Focus on what brings you joy. Focus on what brings you peace. Most of us are being pulled in multiple directions daily. It's not indulgent, it's not selfish, and it's certainly not a luxury to do what's best for YOU. I get it's easy and often necessary to focus on others, our children, our spouses, other obligations we have; however, not to the detriment of our own peace and wellbeing. 

This week, as you find yourself being pulled in multiple directions and the stress rises, ask yourself, "How can I starve my fears right now and feed my peace?"