Mindful Monday: Not Enough Hours in the Day

There are not enough hours in the day! 

Kudos to all the working parents who can stay on top of the never ending laundry, keep groceries stocked, run errands, clean the house, taxi the kids, and still carve out family time, all while holding down a job.  

I delegate, thanks to Amazon delivery and HEB curbside, my husband helps with laundry, and yet, I still can't seem to make 24 hours work.

I know we all deal with the same time constraints, but let's face it, parenting is a full time job in and of itself and well, teaching isn't a 40 hour a week kind of job. 

I'm beat. 

Last week, I confessed that I have over committed myself. I have absolutely spread myself thin. And well, I'm still in the thick of all my doings. Between family obligations, work commitments, sprinkled with a few extra surprises, my candle is a blaze. 

I know I'm not the only one. So, to those of you in my boat, you know - the one taking on water, I come to you again with similar advice to last week: Pause. Drop your shoulders. Breathe. And put one foot in front of the other. Focus on the next thing, not on all the things. Know it's not just you. And know that no one in your life, not your students, your boss, nor your family, needs you to be perfect. 

Instead of counting down the days until Spring Break, perhaps we can make the days count. While things are nuts now, let's not wish our days away. Here's to making the next 10 school days count! 

Mindful Monday: When It Rains

When it rains, it pours. And well, doesn't it always seem to happen that way?

Not sure what all you have going on, but personally, I am feeling stretched a bit thin. Between work commitments, family obligations, coupled with "life" that doesn't ask how busy you are, overwhelmed might be a better description at the moment. And while I'm doing my best to keep my head above water, it seems to be rising by the minute.

Here's the crazy part. Of all that is on my plate, there is a good chunk that I said yes to. I have taken on extra projects. I have signed my kids up for after school activities. And I am the one that convinced myself that I can handle "one more thing", only the one more thing has turned into 5 more things on my plate. 

As overwhelmed as I may feel at the moment, I know life isn't meant to be conquered in one day. In fact, I would say taking on life is more comparable to "eating an elephant". You simply take one bite at a time. You focus on the next step. Take breaks when needed. And absolutely ask for help along the way. 

So, while I am working on taking my own advice, I encourage you to look at your to-do list and try not to become overwhelmed by all that needs your attention. Instead, focus on your first step, then the next step, and then the one after that. 

Mindful Monday: Kindness is Love Made Visible

 Kindness is love made visible.

Thank you to everyone that holds the door for you when your hands are full. And to the coworker that picks up your class from the lunch room so you can run to the bathroom. Thank you to the friend that knows just when to send you a text to lift your mood. And thank you to the friend who always provides a listening ear. 

It's acts of kindness like these that prove that love exists. 

Wishing you a week where you feel the love! 

Mindful Monday: Broken Hearted

My heart is broken, and I'd imagine yours is, too. When any part of our BCE family is hurting, we all hurt. 

I'm at a loss for words, which is rare for me, and truthfully, I don't even think there are any words for a moment like this. There certainly aren't any "right" words, much less a "right" way to show support. There is no one way to be there. 

In the coming days, weeks, and even months, we must lean on each other. We must check in with one another. Love each other a little more. Hug each other a little harder. And listen a little more intently.