Mindful Monday: Normal is Overrated

Teachers, and parents alike, are notorious for spouting phrases like, "be true to yourself," or "how boring the world would be if everyone was the same." We constantly encourage students to embrace their differences.  

So why is it we often don't "buy" what we are "selling"? We talk about the importance of being unique; yet, we are the first to want to blend in. We often want to make sure we are socially accepted and fall into the "normal" range. 

Whatever normal is, it's overrated! 

It's time to embrace your inner nerd. Let your weirdo out. Who cares if you have a fetish for reality tv. Own your love of Target. Proudly share your latest knitting creation. Display your rubber duck collection. 

My point is this. Life is too short to try to be what others expect of you. Not to mention, it's exhausting. There is no time like now to live your authentic self. If you find out that those around you are less than impressed, then perhaps they were never true friends to begin with. As cliche as it may sound, each of you brings amazingly unique talents to the table. Let them shine and be true to yourself. 

It's time we start taking our own advice. 

Mindful Monday: Everyone Needs a Rubber Duck

Welcome Back!!! I sincerely hope you had a wonderful Spring Break. Mostly, I hope you were able to rest and reset. 

It's wild to think that we are starting the last nine weeks of this school year. Don't get me wrong, I've been end of year tired since February and am very much looking forward to May. But on the other hand, part of me can't fully recall how we've nearly made it to the end of March already.  

With that said, pace yourself on this home stretch. Remember to put yourself first. Remember your best is enough. And when your tank is feeling low or find yourself in a pinch, reach out to your teammates. 

We all need "rubber ducks" in our lives. We need friends that are there to help us when we find ourselves sinking, or feel like we're underwater, or perhaps even when we find ourselves in hot water. Rubber ducks do just that. They stay by your side no matter how hot it gets. 

Here's wishing you a fantastic last nine weeks where you don't feel the need to do it all. Here's wishing you a strong finish where you never feel alone and you always have a "rubber duck" kind of a friend nearby. And most importantly, here's to never forgetting just how amazing you are. Because you are A-MAZ-ING! 

Mindful Monday: Can You See the Light?

Do you see that? That's the light at the once seemingly never ending tunnel. It's a glimmer of hope that is looking shinier and shiner. 

It was nearly two years ago the rug was pulled out from under us. Life as we knew it changed overnight, literally. Everything we took for granted and everything we assumed would always be a constant was no longer. 

Over the last two years, we have learned a lot of hard life lessons. Here are a few of my takeaways. 

1) Teachers are even more important than society ever realized. Parents became their children's at home teachers and quickly understood just how challenging it can be keeping students engaged. They learned the extraordinary lengths teachers go to reach their students. They were blown away by the at home visits, the letters mailed, the phone calls and video messages made. I would even go as far to say that we learned that teachers and schools are the glue of our communities. 

2) Human connection is everything. We are not meant to isolate. We are not intended to survive independently. We need each other. Family and friends are everything.  We learned how precious life is and that we are not guaranteed a tomorrow. My family, like too many others, lost several loved ones during the course of the last two years. 

3) The fast lane is overrated. As Americans, we are constantly going. We are trying to out work and out do the "next guy". It's almost as though we don't know how to function if we're not busy. The pandemic put an abrupt halt to all the "busyness". And while it was weird at first, I soon began to appreciate the time spent at home cooking with my children, the water balloon fights in the backyard, and the movie and game nights spent at home.  

As things begin to return to "normal" (whatever normal really is), face masks start to become a thing of the past, and social distancing becomes a distant memory, there are some things I hope not to forget. I know now more than ever the great lengths teachers go to for their students. I know how precious life is and how unnecessary being busy really is.

While we all can't wait for this pandemic to fully be in the rearview mirror, I hope there are a few lessons that you are not too quick to forget. Afterall, if there isn't something that we are learning from these last two years, then perhaps we've completely missed the point.