Blog Archives - Brave Teachers

Micro Transformations

7/29/2013

I feel like the sun is setting on summer, and it's such an easy time to see all the undone tasks of summer. Those unlost pounds, uncleaned closets, and unachieved healthy habits. Don't let yourself get caught in that trap!

If you want to be sustainable. . .

Celebrate and honor micro-transformations!

Did you try a healthy recipe? Did you quiet your inner critic one time? Did you practice a bit more patience with your family? These little steps are transformative! Please don't discount them!

For me micro-transformations of the summer have been parenting out of my comfort zone away from home and developing more of my painting style. When my inner critic speaks up, I'm going to remind her that I'm honoring these small but powerful changes!

Breathing Room

7/26/2013

The new school year is quickly approaching, and I want you to be sustainable! Here is another piece to that puzzle:

Build in breathing room

This is a biggie for me. Someone asks me to do something, I see that that space is open on my calendar, and I say yes. {Does this sound familiar to anyone else??}

The problem is that I haven't taken into account the other resources that are going to be required--the extra bits of time preparing and wrapping up, the emotional, mental, and spiritual energy, sometimes money or creativity.

Then I end up feeling like I'm on a hamster wheel, and I become resentful. This stops now!

I'm pledging to build in more breathing room into my new school year

Comfortable

7/22/2013

This past weekend I participated in the Lakeside Plein Air Festival. The first day I felt uncomfortable and shy, but on Sunday I was comfortable in my own skin. The crazy thing is that I think it really shows in what I created.

Have you ever noticed how your authenticity shines through when you're comfortable? What beauty could you share with the world if you were more comfortable in your own skin?

Hollyhock Haven

Finding Courage

7/21/2013

A blessing for your brave heart today:

May you find the courage
To face the change.
May you be present and mindful.
May you act from a place of grace and honesty
With yourself and others.
May you encounter peace
That overcomes fear and anxiety.
May you stand on the other side with acceptance and abundance.

Know you are so loved and precious, and you posses more courage and strength than you know.

One rule

7/19/2013

I looove Curly Girl Designs. I could just buy it all. Did you know you can get one of her adorable designs for your facebook cover for FREE?

Happy Friday, courageous and strong peeps!

I'm putting on my big girl attitude and getting ready for the Plein Air painting event! I'm also looking forward to a visit with my Dad and brother, Jon!

Check out what I had to say about seeing children (or all people) HERE

Brave Art

7/16/2013

I'm super pleased to present the new blogosphere home for my art. . .

Brave Art By Mim Daniel

You can see what I've been working on through the spring and summer. You can also see where I can be found creating, and where you can buy original pieces.

Check it out, and I would be so grateful if you would share it with anyone you know who might be interested.

Simple Things

7/13/2013

If you;re planning for sustainability, here is a biggie:

Enjoy and celebrate the simple things!

This applies both personally and professionally. Stop running after fantasies and perfection. They will suck away your energy and joy every time. It's not about working with perfect kids at a perfect school. It's about celebrating growth and life with joy.

I did this last night with a solo walk by the lake as the sunset. It was a summer highlight--nothing fancy or expensive but oh, so restorative. That's the secret gift of this element of sustainability--it will restore you and your energy.

Something to thing or write about: What simple things will you enjoy or celebrate today?

Paradox

7/10/2013

Love this photo and this quote!

Hopefully they give you a little inspiration, too!

The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.

{Carl Rogers}

Inspired Creating

7/9/2013

What are you inspired to create?

A meal
A quiet space
A poem
A novel
A painting
A piece of clothing
A lesson plan
An organizing system
A kind word
A wildflower arrangement
A tattoo

I hope you're making room for creativity today!

Here's my inspiration:

Here's my creation:

Know Your Limits

7/8/2013

This is part of a series on being a sustainable teacher. You can read more about it here and here and here and here and here. I think there are some simple elements that allow for sustainability.

Here are some thoughts and ideas to process, think about, maybe even write about:

I bought my son this little sporty shirt that says, "Winners Never Quit."
I would like to reframe that into,

Winners Know When To Quit

I think that has loads to do with knowing our limits. Part of what I've learned while doing yoga is the difference between the discomfort of my edge versus real pain. I would honestly prefer the pain to how I feel when I'm out of my comfort zone and on the edge all vulnerable and such. {I'm learning loads about that in myself this summer.}

Knowing our limits also mean that we recognize when to cut our losses and walk away from various aspects of what we do because they no longer serve use. I find these sorts of decisions to be especially difficult because there is so little support for them.

What are you