I've been thinking for months now about what it means to be sustainable in the teaching profession.  How does one thrive with courage and strength and excellence, despite the chaos and dysfunction around us?  Thoughts and ideas and feelings have been tumbling around.  I've been making many discoveries about myself and teaching as I explore this realm.  I'm going to share some ideas and practices with you this summer that might just help you soar and sustain you as a teacher.


But I want to know what you think.  What makes you sustainable as a teacher?  What forces inside you support you?  What forces around you support you and sustain you?  What do you need right now to make you a sustainable resource for our world?  


Please bravely comment and share your thoughts.  I can't wait to hear what you have to say!


{These couple of definitions below from Merriam Webster might help.}  

{If you're not feeling too sustainable, I think I have some hope for you, too.  So take heart, brave and precious you.}


Definition of SUSTAINABLE
1
: capable of being sustained
2
a : of, relating to, or being a method of harvesting or using a resource so that the resource is not or permanently damaged <sustainable techniques><sustainable agriculture>
b : of or relating to a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods <sustainable society>


{from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustainable}

Definition of SUSTAIN
1
: to give support or relief to
2
: to supply with sustenance : nourish
3
: keep up, prolong
4
: to support the weight of : prop; also : to carry or withstand (a weight or pressure)
5
: to buoy up <sustained by hope>
6
a : to bear up under
b : suffer, undergo <sustained heavy losses>
7
a : to support as true, legal, or just
b : to allow or admit as valid <the court sustained the motion>
8
: to support by adequate proof : confirm <testimony thatsustains our contention>
— sus·tained·ly  adverb
— sus·tain·er noun


{from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sustained}

Lots of people have wondered where Brave Teacher Mim has been.  I've been much quieter here than I intended.  A year ago I visioned a very different place from where I have ended up.  I've been employing loads of courage, and so much good stuff has been coming my way!

I've been studying for a 200 level yoga teacher certification.  I will be official in less than a week!  It has been a powerful and amazing journey.

I've been a total painting fool.  This spring I've dug into acrylics in a very liberated way!  You can see some here on the page called Brave Art Gallery.  {I've had 2 pieces in juried shows this spring!  Talk about courage!}

I continue to hone my craft as a 4th grade teacher.  {This could be many, many future posts!}

I'm still a very messy and at times overwhelmed mom to Sam.  Sam and I are leaving next week to spend the entire summer in Lakeside, Ohio.  I've dreamed of taking a child there for the summer, even before I had a child.  I feel so fortunate to have so many people surrounding us with love to make this happen.

All of these experiences are influencing the path of Brave Teachers.  I'm beginning to plan the 3rd Annual Brave Teacher Fall Retreat.  {More coming soon on this one!}

I'm digging deeper into my own life and experience in order to find those little gems to share with you.  It's taking more time than I anticipated, but I think you will agree with me that it has been worth the wait.

Catherine Just {whom i adore and hope to take a photography retreat with someday} posted this quote, and it stuck with me:

“The heart is the thousand-stringed instrument that can only be tuned with love.” -Hafiz


And then it got me to thinking about how I believe every action we take is either motivated by love or fear.  I'm seeing loads of teachers around me acting and reacting with so much fear.  {Can anyone saying Ohio Teacher Evaluation System, Common Core Standards, RIMP Plans, Value Added or just the general we need Spring Break burn out?}


Today I'm offering a simple shift:  
Will you join me in choosing to send out love moment by moment today?  Just one tiny moment at a time.  Just keep asking, "What would love do in this moment?"  {Don't even worry about the whole day--just this little moment.}


Will you join me in inviting love in moment by moment today?  You so fully deserve to embrace all the love in the world.  Do you know that there is enough love in the world for every single one of us?  {If you're not feeling it you might need to experience a shift.  If you feel like you're in a toxic environment you might need to close your door or walk away from a conversation or call someone else at lunch or at the end of the day.}


Doesn't this all feel a bit revolutionary--a little scary and a lot exciting?


Brave and amazing you,
I am sending you loads of love at the end of this week, and I am opening the doors of my heart wide to receive love as it flows this way.
With courage galore,
Brave Teacher Mim


P.S.  Send out love by forwarding this to everyone you think could use it and posting it with all your peeps!