It's so easy to be overly busy in the first few weeks of school and forget to care for ourselves.  We don't eat lunch, we skip exercise, our sleep patterns are disturbed, or we don't take time for the people we love.  It's too easy to get in the trap of "Just One More Thing."

It might not feel like it, but let go of the To Do List, and take care of yourself.  Your students will thank you!  So will your coworkers, your family and friends, and the other people in your life.  Why?  Because when we care for ourselves we renew and refresh.  We gather new insights.  We release stress and tension and improve our immunity.  We acknowledge our humanity.  When we are in tune with our needs it's easier to see the needs of others.  When we care for ourself we have more patience and compassion for ourselves and others.

Does this sound like a Win-Win?  It is!

So pause for a moment and decide what your next self care move is.  Have you thought of it?  Now go and do it.

Be healthy and whole this year, Brave Teacher!

r"True happiness comes from the joy of deeds well done,
the zest of creating new things."
{Antoine de Saint Exupery}

A blessing especially for YOU today:

May you find the JOY of deeds well done.
May you find the zest of creating new things.

​May you find true contentment and happiness.




​
Dear Brave and Strong Heart,

You may have grown weary in doing you work.  {Who am I kidding--you're probably exhausted!}  These are important moments!  Take a few minutes to think about or write about these:

What deeds or jobs are in my week ahead?  How can I find joy in them?   What can I put my whole heart into making this week?  {This might be as simple as a cup of tea for yourself or packing your child's lunch.}  Now that your present and not on autopilot, go forth into work!  You can do it!  

I believe in you!
xo Brave Teacher Mim

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!

​Do you remember when you were the fresh new teacher?

You were filled and overflowing with new ideas and enthusiasm. 
You were going to make a difference in the life of every student.
You were going to change education for the better--at least in your little corner!

Do you remember how much you could not stand the snarky older teachers who tried to steal your enthusiasm and hope?

Today's question:
Are you more like the fresh teacher or the snarky veteran?
Who do you want to be?

I'm inviting you to restore your enthusiasm and hope.  I want you to make a difference in the life of your students.  I want to restore in you the fresh new teacher.  We can liberate our spirit from the bureaucracy and experience that hold our spirits down.  You, Brave Teacher, are so much more!  Let's restore you!

Over the next few weeks you will see so many opportunities {many of them free and easy} to restore your vitality as a teacher and human being.  Sign up now for Brave Teacher Tribe so you won't miss one bit of this amazing life affirming adventure.

​I am holding a sacred space for you.
A place where you can be yourself,
feel your feelings,
and wonder
and doubt
and be.

I am holding a sacred space for you.
A place where you can grow,
and transform,
and restore,
​and be.






Dear Amazing And Brilliant You,

It is from such a deep place that I have this longing to support you being fully that person you were created to be sharing the gifts that only you have with the rest of us.  I sincerely hope that this week you can feel that space being held for you.

Sending you warm waves of self compassion,
Brave Teacher Mim

​P.S.
If you are desiring more soulfulness in your life geared for teachers and other humans, sign up for the Brave Teacher Tribe to receive inspiration and the first details of upcoming events.

This week I felt so tested as I gave the last several days to staying at home with a sick boy who wanted to cling to me.  And as none of my plans were accomplished I felt more fear about money and insurance, and am I just crazy to think that schools should be caring for their teachers in a holistic way and teaching their staff to care for students in a holistic way, and is my art good enough, and that crazy spiral down into fear and self doubt.  I felt rotten.  I was not sitting in a place of acceptance.

But today is a new week!  And I want those of you who are struggling today, that my thoughts are with you.  This struggle is all part of the journey.  You are at this very moment being filled with the love and power you will need so that your soul can and will make an impact.


I'm sending you buckets full of courage to keep going.  This is all part of the plan.  In the end you will know love and true power!  I am hopeful for us all!

Life is filled with all sorts of events.  Some are filled with light.  Some are filled with shadows.  Most days are filled with both.


Today seems like an appropriate day to remember that on the days when shadows are long, it is best to have support.  Community.  Others to hold you up when you struggle to stand on your own.


Dear Brave Teachers,

If you're year is off to a rocky start, and you need some help holding on, please consider gifting yourself with a subscription to Brave Teachers Personalized Professional Development.  By subscribing at the premium level you will have email access to coaching with me every day of the year.  That means you can use my email box as your sounding board or ask for suggestions every single day, and I will give you the very best I have every day all year long.  {Plus you receive the weekly newsletter from me!}  

If you are wanting support around your students and classroom environment I recommend The Heart and Soul of the Classroom.  If you are looking for full on encouragement and personal inspiration I recommend Teaching Young Minds Without Losing Yours.

I'm just waiting to offer YOU support!
Brave Teacher Mim

Did you notice that there is a new page in the header of this website?  Brave Yoga is officially up and running!

A few weeks ago I started instructing the most lovely group of yogis at Grace UCC in Norton, OH.  You can get more info on the Brave Yoga Page!

I will also be offering a Child and Parent Yoga class at my home this summer.  I've wanted to do this for about a year, so I'm extra excited.  More info about this is available on the Brave Yoga page.

I'm so excited to be making these offerings!
Stay tuned right here for more Brave coming your way!