Mindful Monday: Human BEing Not Human Doer

We are called Human Beings, not Human Doers. And yet, we find ourselves consumed by all we have to do. 

As educators, we wear a multitude of hats. The hats we wear often lead to a laundry list of things that must get done. This time of year, especially, can make us crazy with all the additional tasks: decorating, gift buying, wrapping, baking, traveling, etc. 

Too often, we focus on everything we have to do which inevitably makes us feel frazzled when trying to find the time to do it all. When we become fixated on the day-to-day tasks, on our checklists, and the next deadline, it's easy for us to lose our joy. The daily grind can easily weigh us down. And in a profession where instant results are a rarity, it's completely understandable to not feel like you are making a difference, or even worse, you're not cutting it.  

And so I plead with you, hear me when I say: 

1) You are ENOUGH and no one expects you to do it ALL 

2) Attempting to do it all does NOT make you better or happier or more successful 

3) You ABSOLUTELY make a difference everyday in ways you can't even imagine

Regardless of how many tasks that are left undone on your checklist, regardless of how ready you may or may not be for the holidays, and regardless if you have crafted the perfect lesson, find the time to BE and not just DO. 

This time of year, while often stressful for many, can absolutely be magical if we only take the time to notice the small things and enjoy it. Find your joy!

I challenge you, instead of a Human Doer, let's revert back to Human BEings and just BE! 

* BE Kind * BE Present * BE Grateful *

It's when we remember to breathe and just BE that we can give the best of ourselves to both our students and our families. 

I ran across this idea of being a Human Being not a Human Doer from an interview with a high school football coach in a newspaper article earlier this year. His priorities and perspective on life seem to be figured out! If you have a moment, I think it is worth a read. You can check out the full article here.

Last we spoke, I left you with a 14 day challenge to try finding three things to write daily in your gratitude journal. Today marks day 14, and I sincerely hope that you have had an opportunity to use it.  Here's to finding your joy in the small things! 

Mindful Monday: Focus on the Good

It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and focus on the tasks that need to get done. It's also easy to point out what isn't working, what bothers you, and what you wish were different.

Researchers say that on average we spend 53 hours a year complaining. And in life, just like in the classroom, we get more of what we pay attention to.

In a society where we count our money, our weight, our calories, and steps, it's time we start counting our blessings instead.

If we focus on the negative, the negatives get easier to spot and become more abundant. BUT...if we focus on the good, they, too, will become more apparent, and you'll start to notice the positives more.

I am not saying to act like life is easy or simply ignore what's hard. But I am saying that it can be mood altering, and life changing to focus on the good.

Your SEL/Sunshine Committee has gifted every staff member a Gratitude Journal. If the practice of writing in a gratitude journal is not already a part of your daily routine, I challenge you to try it for 14 days.

For the next two weeks, take 2-5 minutes before you go to bed to write down three things you are grateful for. It could be anything from all green lights on your way to work, a team member making copies for you, no line at Starbucks, or your spouse doing the grocery shopping. They don't have to be big things. In fact, I would argue most things in my gratitude journal are little things that made me smile that day, things that I'm grateful for, things that I'm appreciative for that normally I may have overlooked or taken for granted.

I guarantee three things will happen by the end of your two weeks, so says science, not just me.

1) You will begin to focus more on the good that surrounds you.

2) Your stress will decrease.

3) You will sleep better.

On behalf of your SEL/Sunshine Committee, we are grateful for each and every team member here. Your hard work and dedication to ensure our students' success is not going unnoticed. We SEE you, and we appreciate you! We wish you a fantastic Thanksgiving break next week. We hope you take the time to rest and recharge. We are grateful for YOU!

Mindful Monday: An Attitude of Gratitude

Gratitude is a word that is thrown around a lot during the month of November. And I'd argue that we often only think of gratitude at the surface level: the act of being grateful or thankful. But really, I think the act of gratitude is so much deeper. It is appreciating exactly what you have at the moment; it is being grateful for where you are in your life regardless of where you thought you might be.

Having an attitude of gratitude isn’t always easy.

From an early age, we are often asked what we want to be when we grow up. That seed then sprouts into how much money we envision making, how big of a house we will have, what kind of car we might drive, will we end up married or not, how many kids, and on and on. Unfortunately, it can be a wormhole that we get sucked into, and it can set us up for disappointment when life doesn’t turn out like we envisioned. However, I stand firm in my belief that even when life isn’t what you pictured, it doesn’t mean that you're worse off or that you didn’t get it right.

Hindsight is the ability to reflect and see the bigger picture. It is often in hindsight that we can appreciate or better understand the twists and turns we endured to get where we are. And while reflecting is crucial to grow in understanding and appreciation, I'd say having an attitude of gratitude is even more important. Being able to find appreciation in the moment, especially when it's hard or unclear takes courage and a leap of faith. Having an attitude of gratitude is a daily choice. Choose to find the good. Choose to focus on what you can control. Choose to be grateful for the little things.

If these last 20 months have taught me anything, it is to appreciate the little things because often it is the "little" things that really are the BIG things!

And I leave you with one final thought...

Mindful Monday: Stop Apologizing

I'd argue that each adult in this building is thoughtful, caring and considerate. If you weren't, you wouldn't be in the business of kids. 

But I ask, does being kind, thoughtful and considerate mean that we have to be apologetic all the time? 

How many times a day in your conversations do you find yourself apologizing for something that doesn't perhaps need an apology? "Sorry for bothering you, sorry for venting, sorry for taking up your time", etc... I'd argue that we over apologize and feel unnecessarily guilty, when in fact, we should shift our mindset.

Instead of apologizing, consider thanking. No longer, "sorry for bothering you", try "thank you for taking the time". Instead of "sorry for asking a favor...thank you for your generosity."  

During the month of November, we often reflect on all that we have to be thankful for. So I challenge you this month, instead of apologizing when it really isn't needed, shift your focus to what you are thankful for. Thank the people in your life that make your day a little easier, a little more bearable, and a little sunnier. Thank those in your life that support you, that lead a listening ear, and accept you for you. 

And with that, THANK YOU! Thank you for sharing your talents and time with our school family each day. Our students are better off because of you!