An affirmation for all brave hearts:

I am calm and resolute.  
I am able to release the thoughts and situations of today.




I just returned home from a very calming retreat at True Nature Holistic Retreats.  It was the Christmas gift to my husband and myself.  It was a beautiful experience that I would highly recommend. 

Holiday self care tip:

Just let go.

That's it--so simple and so difficult.  That's it.  Just let go of expectations, and mile long to do lists, and all the other things that distract you from enjoying the experience.

Yesterday I talked to someone who said she just couldn't wait for Christmas to be over.  She looked so tired.  My heart hurt for her.  She is trying to do so much, but it was obviously not working for her.  We still have a week to go, and then there's New Year.

For me, the hardest part is letting go of some of the stuff that I really enjoy doing.  I LOVE making gifts, but I honestly don't know of anyone who wouldn't love a gift card and a note I wrote to them.  I love when people make a donation in my honor that will help someone else.  Honestly, is there anything I really need that someone else is going to buy me?  I also love cooking special holiday recipes, but I don't know anyone who won't survive without them.

So what is the benefit of letting go?  I think it's simple--PEACE and PLEASURE.  There is a beautiful internal calm that resolves when I let go (and then let go of the guilt!).  And the pleasure?  I've had some great moments of reading holiday books with my little son, watching him decorate and undecorate the bottom half of our tree, walking around the neighborhood looking at lights, and listening to him talk about Santa.  Those are things I will really treasure this season.

How 'bout you?  What can you let go?  What do you want to treasure about this holiday season?

I know it's difficult, so I'm sending you some extra courage today.

An easy gift for yourself and other teacher friends is The Brave Teacher Play Day!  I can't wait to spend the day playing with you!

Here's a tidbit of self care and writing:

Brave Teacher,
It's such a busy time of year.  Carve out a little time to take care of yourself.  This might be calling a friend, grabbing a warm drink, or making a gratitude list.  You know what would feel good for you. (Holiday preparations and paper grading do NOT count!)  Be gentle with yourself.  It will give you the strength to be gentle with others over the next few weeks.

I'm sending you so much gentleness and courage and strength.  You are doing a great job at this thing called life--even if you don't fee like it today.

I hope your planning to join me for a fun play day in January.  I'm so looking forward to our time together!

An affirmation for us all today:



I am so blessed!




It's so easy to lose sight of how blessed life is, especially if we feel stress or undervalued.  Or if you're bearing more than your share of burdens.  We are so blessed. If you would like to make a list of gratitudes and blessings you have, you might like this printable.  At this time of year I'm often tempted to look at what I don't have and focus on how I don't feel like I'm enough.  When I start to count my blessing, my whole perspective improves.

I'm blessed by this whole growing Brave Teachers Tribe!  How are you blessed?

Here's a little affirmation for all of us today:

I release myself from the expectations of others and myself.



I feel like I NEVER live up to the expectations others have of me.  The logical part of me realizes this is quite ridiculous, but it doesn't change the way I feel.  I also recognize that at times some expectations cannot be met by anyone.  I feel so much pressure and stress because of the whole expectation thing. I'm going to try to just show up for the next 24 hours and see if I can let that be enough.  

How 'bout you?  I just want to say, you are soooo enough!   How are you feeling about the expectations on you right now?



Don't forget to share some healing and courage with yourself or other teacher friends.  Give the gift of the Brave Teacher Play Day.