Blog Archives - Brave Teachers

Best vs. Easy

10/25/2012

Have you ever noticed how best is rarely easy?

The best eating habits are not the fast and easy ones.
The best teaching practices are not the quick or easy to measure ones.
The best memories of travel or friendship or life are not the ones that were quick and easy, but those that required thought and planning and effort.

Today I am sending all brave hearts the courage to do what is best, even though we know it won't be easy.

May You

10/21/2012

A blessing for all brave hearts:

May your hope be renewed.
May you find strength to move
forward on a new path.
May your way be illuminated today.

You are precious and dear and brave and strong. Remember that today.

Off The Hamster Wheel

10/20/2012

Here's some super important self care for your brave heart:

If you're on the hamster wheel,
running as fast as you can
but not seeing the forward momentum you hoped for,
take a break!

I'm doing this right now. It's early Saturday morning. I'm in a coffee shop catching up on blogging and starting a brand new writing project for myself that has nothing to do with my school job and everything to do with giving me the perspective I need to hop back on the wheel and keep going in a few hours.

I know I still need to go shopping for science experiment materials, make a costume for myself, and grade papers this weekend between spending time with my family and working around the house. It's all still there. I'm just stepping away for a couple hours.

Sometimes I don't let myself step away. I feel guilty and ashamed, and thenI just start to feel and be resentful and negative. So, brave heart, take a break! Call a friend, go for a hike, curl up with a cup of tea, indulge in a guilty pleasure--just skip the guilt!

It's amazing how a little break can make a big difference in prioritizing and efficiency and perspective.

Longing

10/18/2012

The view as I entered the school building a few days ago.

Here is what my Brave Teacher heart is longing for:

I'm longing for a Paper Grading Fairy.
I'm longing to have my professional expertise trusted.
I'm longing for a school that embraces my philosophy about teaching and kids.

I'm longing for someone to notice how insanely patient I am with 9 and 10 year olds.
I'm longing for someone to notice how insanely patient I am with other adults.

I'm longing for a job that does not produce so much anxiety and sadness within me.

I'm longing to spend a whole day at school just teaching--without meetings, counseling, parenting, nursing, mediating, mountains of paperwork and all the other stuff I didn't know teachers had to do.

I'm longing to travel the country in an Airstream inspiring teachers to keep going and heal and trust their brave hearts. {This is the dream of my heart. I want to help teachers paint and paste and breath and write their way to their most fulfilled life.}

What are the longings of your heart?

Stop

10/12/2012

Stop
Please
Just stop
Stop beating yourself up
Stop believing that you're not enough
Stop thinking you should be doing more
Stop thinking more _____________ will make your happier
Stop denying that you are magnificent
Stop
Please

Moving Forward Demands Courage

10/9/2012

I'm still surprised how much courage is required to move forward and grow and change--even in small ways. Sometimes especially in small ways.

Brave and strong you,
Please take heart and have courage. As you move forward so much is demanded. Just open your heart and banish doubt. I believe that you can take the next step toward becoming who you truly are.

What I Need

10/4/2012

Sometimes I get confused about what I want in the moment and what I really need. Here's an affirmation to remind all brave hearts today:

I am open to receiving exactly what I need
at this very moment.

I hope your day is full of what you need!

We Missed You At The Retreat

10/1/2012

The 2nd Annual Brave Teachers Fall Retreat was a gorgeous weekend filled with sunshine and a harvest moon. Not to mention great discussions, lots of laughter, and artsy projects related to resilience. We did keep it simple and have loads of fun.

We did often say it would be a great experience for so many teachers that we all know. We missed you, but here is a little glimpse into this empowering event:

It was too gorgeous to just sit and wait for people to show up. I walked all around and enjoyed looking out on Lake Erie.

One Brave Teacher sent these great goodie bags for each attendee. I think kindness is contagious.

Hours were spent making resilience tool boxes!

This week I will keep sharing more great glimpses into the retreat. {It might take me all week to get caught up!}