Blog Archives - Brave Teachers

Blessing of Contentment

1/31/2016

The grass is content--even in the snow.

May you find contentment today.
May it be in the work you do.
May it be in relationships you nurture.
And may it be in the things you possess.

May it all be enough.
And in enoughness may you find
the sweet spot of contentment.

I got to celebrate my son's seventh birthday with him and our family. We did lots of making and creating around the theme, and I thought so much about being with this boy for seven years. When I went to bed I was tired, very tired, but I was also content, oh so content.

I have lived long enough to recognize that there is a big difference between euphoria/happiness and contentment. If I'm seeking after crazy happiness then contentment will elude me. I choose contentment.

Wishing you a week of contentment and a lifetime of contentment.

Leading With Your Heart

1/27/2016

Today I reminded myself of the peace and power of leading with your heart. I was able to walk away from an hour and a half long meeting/interview feeling full and content, and there is no guarantee that we will work together. {I am excited for possibility!}

How can I feel so good without any resolution?

I lead with my heart! I didn't try to have some great presentation prepped. I didn't plan out how I would answer imagined questions. I followed my heart as it lead the way.

Following one's heart takes LOTS of practice, and sometimes it feels REALLY scary. I'm still learning to embrace the uncertainty of it all. Over time it all becomes easier as authenticity and confidence and compassion and creativity lead the way.

Where in your life and work can you lead with your heart?

Take A Little Pause To Relax

1/22/2016

We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we'll also have a lot more joy in living. {Thich Nhat Hanh}

We celebrate the busyness of life, but we rarely consider the implications that busyness has on us, our relationships, the quality of life or even the quality of work we are busy doing. Take a moment to just think about that. We are all paying a high price for being busy, but we won't even stop long enough to consider the facts.

I invite you to accept this challenge: Go into this weekend planning to pause. It may be a small one or a great one. Hit the pause button. Become a human being instead of a human doing. What a great example to set for those you love! Happy weekend!

Yoga Story Scripts on Sale

1/19/2016

I've had amazing experiences using stories in tandem with yoga to reach children at the heart level. Earlier this school year I started writing down the stories I tell as part of my kid yoga programs. I just put 5 {and a bonus one} of them together in a little PDF over at Brave Teachers Teachers Pay Teachers Shop. This is not a cutesy resource. It's a basic text document that gives you the exact words to read while you lead a group of children in a mindful calming practice. I've also included a link to a goofy video I made if you need a little refresher in the basic breathing or postures of these routines.

Yoga Story Scripts: Seasons, Nature, and Imagination, Volume 1,includes five unique original Yoga Story Scripts to give your students more exposure to a mindful yoga practice. Yoga can improve, flexibility, strength, focus, body awareness, and self confidence, while reducing stress and anxiety, among other benefits. This set includes these Yoga Story Scripts: Walk in a Winter Wonderland, Walk in the Rainforest, On the Hunt for Pirates, Walk Along the Beach, and Relaxing Robot{Corpse Pose for Kids}. There is also a bonus script: Suggestions for Warm Up or Cool Down that can be used first thing in the morning, after recess, before a test, or at the end of the day.

You can grab the whole bundle for $7.50 or for the next couple days at 20% off! Check out the other scripts and lots of FREEBIES in the TpT shop.

Light in the Darkness

1/18/2016

Are you feeling the oppressive darkness all around you? We are in the midst of winter in Ohio. It's cold and gray. It's so very gray. There is a beauty to be found in the gray, but it's that hard to find and even more difficult to describe sort of beauty.

I am inviting you to be a light in the darkness. It doesn't have to be that shining fire ball or summer sun. It can be small and struggling and flickering, but you can still bring light. And here is the oddest part--you may be trying to light the way for others, but in the process your way will be most brightly lit.

If you're wanting to bring more light to your teaching job, you will want to read what I wrote about kindness OVER HERE today.

If you would like to bring more light to my world, please check out MY PATREON SITE or consider ONE TIME SUPPORT HERE

GO AHEAD, LET YOUR LITTLE LIGHT SHINE!

Asking For Support

1/13/2016

Are you like me? I have such a hard time asking for help! I would way rather suffer and struggle alone than ask other people to lend a hand. {This seems crazy because I am always eager to help others. I don't think I'm being put out.}

So then on New Year Day I took a workshop on intentions for the new year, and EVERYTHING that came to me was connected to asking for, accepting, and acknowledging SUPPORT.

That is where this video comes in:

This is a lovely opportunity for us to work TOGETHER to make the world a more creative, magical, and mindful place. THANK YOU for all of your support--past, present, and future! It is quite humbling and a beautiful bit of synergy.

HERE is a link to my Patreon site. {My goal is to have 100+ supports by the end of January!}

HERE is the page with ideas for one time purchases/SUPPORT

A Day of Inspiration and Action

1/11/2016

It's that time of year. It's cold. It's dark. The holidays are over, and our to do lists are LOOOOOONNNNNNGGGGG. This makes it difficult to do two things:

1. Feel inspired
2. Take action.

"Just let me stay in bed and procrastinate a little longer," might be our first thought.

And from this place it is so easy to spiral down into guilt and shame--which is just an ugly pit that can be difficult to escape.

So today I am inviting you and me to take action--maybe even mini, micro actions. Let's take little steps together to get our inspiration back and our action on track.

Let's start with inspiration:

Take a walk--even a quick one and look at trees. Here in Ohio there is a light blanket of snow that makes the trees look gorgeous. Breathe in the beauty of trees.
Scroll down through this site or another site for inspiration. Set the timer for just 15 minutes. This is inspiration, not a time sucker.
Choose to eat one meal that really nourishes you. It tastes good and it's good for you. Let this inspiration fuel you.
Be an observer of inspiration--just seek it out today.
Grab yourself a Brave Inspiration card deck
Do a fun activity for just a few minutes or a few hours--you decide.

An now for action:
{When you have lots to do the getting started part can be the biggest obstacle, so let's get started!}

Make a list of the 3 most important things for you to accomplish today. {I did NOT say 3 pages, just 3 things!}
Take the first step in doing the first thing on your list.
Solicit support for completing your list.
Stay focused, even when there are interruptions or roadblocks--3 Most Important Tasks

YOU HAVE THIS!

P.S. Tomorrow I'm going to ask you for some support. I hope you will be able to help me take action!

Why Do You Teach?

1/7/2016

I made this little video years ago. I think someone out there needs it today! Have a good one!

Take A Risk

1/5/2016

Click on the image to see this original and other inspirational watercolors!

I'm sending you an abundance of courage to overcome the need for safety!
Take a risk!
Go ahead!
I know you can do it!
Even if you fail you will know more than you did before you tried!

Restoration and Renewal Toolbox

1/4/2016

Did you miss the Restoration Email Retreat / Best Teacher Gift Ever?
Are you feeling like you could use some restoration in your life?

I'm pleased to present Brave Teachers Restoration and Renewal Toolbox. It's all the content from the retreat in seven simple to use modules. It's all available at one time so is self paced. You will also be notified by email when content has been added to any of the modules.

I would be delighted to send you the deluxe edition which includes a care package sent via email and packed with courage and strength from me to you.

P.S. This is a lovely tool to give as a gift to yourself, your teammates, or a whole school staff. It is also a lovely way to experience the intersection of personal and professional development for educators.