It's that point in the weekend when lots of teachers go into full blown anxiety.  There is an enormous bag of papers or plans or projects that you thought you needed to finish, and they didn't get done.  Now you're feeling overwhelmed by the stuff and the negative self talk.

If that's you (or has ever been you)  this is for you. . .

Let's hold a sacred space for just a few minutes.

This involves a piece of paper and a writing tool (the back of an envelope and a crayon work just fine)
If you like music, crank up some favorite tunes.  If you crave quiet close a door to a space where you can be alone.

On the paper write down your 3 most important tasks for the week.  Be strategic!  Urgent is not always important.
Now choose the one that must be completed first.
For that one task, break it into 3 smaller steps.
Ask:  Can I complete one or more of those steps before I go to be bed.
If they answer is yes, then do it!
If the answer is no, then eat some healthy food, move your body, take a bath, or whatever activities will encourage you to go to bed early and enter the new week ready for the work ahead.

Either way, take a few breaths, and say some words of affirmation--knowing that it doesn't pay to sprint toward finish line for a race you aren't even running.  Teaching is a marathon.  Pace yourself.  The end doesn't have to be in sight for you to know that you're strategy will get you there.

Wishing you an amazing week that is filled with strategy for long term success.

​xo Brave Mim

Show me a teacher who doesn't like a freebie, and I'll tell you they aren't really a teacher!

Happy Friday, Brave Heart!

As I'm trying to find my way back into a rhythm with this little gem, I've decided to make a little free nugget of encouragement for each Friday from here on.  So I'm starting with a bit of a throw back, and I'm pointing out the page with a few freebies that have been hanging around here for years--collecting dust.

You can check them out HERE.

And while we speak of FREE, I'd like to offer you a little TGIF Blessing:

May you be free--
free from illness and germs.
Free from overwhelming fatigue.

May you be free--
free from insomnia, anxiety, depression and fear.

May you be free from piles of too many papers to grade.
And too much paper work in general.

May you be free--
Free to enjoy
Free to rest
Free to breathe
Free to be.

Sending you warm wishes for an amazing and gentle weekend.
​xo Brave Mim

Thinking about what to make for dinner is one of the most trying tasks at the end of an exhausting day.  So here is a super nutritious and easy to make meal that I make almost every week.  It can be thrown into the crockpot in the morning or made on the stove in under an hour with less than ten minutes of prep!

Red, White and Black Bean Chili

2 cans of crushed tomatoes 
1 can of kidney beans
1 can of any white bean (I use cannelloni or navy)
1 can of black beans
Seasoning:  A taco seasoning packet OR a mix from the cupboard of chili powder, garlic powder, cumin, favorite hot pepper powder, salt and pepper

Open and combine all cans in a large cooking pot, add the seasoning, and cook over medium high heat until it boils and then lower to simmer for 30 - 60 min.  (For crockpot, combine everything and cook on low throughout the day.)

I have been known to add 1 cup of cooked quinoa for an extra protein boost!

I really enjoy some corn chips with this.  (or serve with crackers or crusty bread.)

​Keep it simple and nutritious, brave heart!

I am holding a sacred space for you today.

​Are you feeling overwhelmed or blah?
The weather is gray and cold and raining, and so I think it's easy to see the glass as half empty rather than half full.

If that's you, dear one, than take a few moments and breathe.  Feel your breath in your nose and throat.  Feel the subtle shifts of your body.  After several breaths, grab a piece of paper.  First write 3 things for which you feel gratitude at this very moment.  Next write down 3 things you can do that show love to yourself.  Finally write down 3 smallish tasks that you know you can accomplish that will allow you to feel like you are getting something done.

Hold yourself in this sacred space with gentleness.

Sending you warmth and light from my heart to yours,

​xoxoBrave Mim

Brave Souls,

Wherever life is leading you today, quiet your fear and embrace your confidence!  You have this!

Happy weekend,
​Brave Mim

So here we are--in the darkest part of the year.
We don't live here in despair and fear.
We seek light and hope.

May your winter break overflow with light and hope.
May your courageous path be illuminated with peace and joy.

Sending you love and light!
​xo Mim

Dear Brave Teachers,

You get a ridiculous amount of stuff done, and work as if you are in a time warp.  How do I know?  I used to be one of you.  And now that I've been away from traditional teaching for about two and a half years, I work at a slower more normal pace.  It honestly seems slow.  Everything feels like it takes to long to finish--cooking, making art, creating new programs and courses, online marketing--all of it.  I don't feel productive enough, but I do feel so much calmer.

Most of the world has no idea how much an average elementary school teacher actually does in a day.  And if they haven't stood in your shoes, how would they?

I know it's the time of year that lots of Brave Teachers are holding on by their fingernails, and just trying to make it to Winter Break.  I also know that lots of you feel guilt because of that.  Can you do me a favor?  Let go of the guilt!  Let it go.  You are doing so very much, and it doesn't feel like it will be enough.  Tonight when you head hits the pillow, take some deep breaths, and as you exhale, let your guilt float away.

Even on your least productive days you do a ridiculous amount of stuff.  Never forget that!

P.S.  I've gearing up to offer some in person workshops for educators in the Spring.  I want the opportunity to remind you how fabulous you are!  More on this soon!

I love the beach in late autumn/winter.  It's the opposite of summer.  During summer months the beach is warm and soothing and most often lazy and gentle breezes floating by.  That is not the case at this time of year.  The wind is biting.  The water is churning and agitated.  The skies are gray.  Sometimes it feels ominous.  Other times its just unsettling.

I feel like that is a great analogy for the life of a teacher.  It changes so much across the seasons.  This time of year can feel both personally and professionally agitated, ominous, and unsettling.  Some of you are just hanging on.  Your year is different than you thought it would be, and it's taking a personal toll on you.

If that's you, I created this website for you.  And then my energies shifted.  I know that this is still a necessary component for lots of teachers, because so many of you visit here.  {Even though there is no new content in the past couple years!}  I see you, and I recognize your need.

I'm pleased to announce that in January 2018, I will be returning to regular postings of encouragement, inspiration and uplift.  I will also be offering several in person workshops and online workshops that will empower you to care for your soul with gentle and simple practices.  I can't wait to bring you, Brave Teacher, more of what you want and need!

Also, I would love to provide some Brave Teacher Soul Care at your school as part of a Professional Development day, staff meeting,  or special gathering!  Email me so we can talk and get your day/event on my schedule!

Dear Brave Heart,

Out on a walk I saw this hollow tree.  As the sun shined through a heart was illuminated.

Today is a gentle reminder:

You are loved, so loved.

Let the warmth around you light up your heart, especially when you feel inadequate or overwhelmed.

You are enough.  You have enough.  You do enough.

Let that knowledge warm the lives of those you touch today.

Sending you an abundance of courage and strength,

xo Brave Teacher Mim

Dear Brave One,

Happy New Year!
One thing I really appreciate about school is the fact that the calendar new year falls midway into the school year.  It means we have a chance to hit the restart button.  We have a chance to regroup, redirect, and respond accordingly.

That respnse is what brings me to this quote.
"Never hesitate to trade your cow for a handful of magic beans." ~Tom Robbins
I don't even have the words to tell you how in love with this quote I am right now.  For me this is so much about trusting our intuition, our gut, our essence.  This concept is sadly absent in most educational institutions, and it's one of the things I'm observing and seeking in my own life.  It is powerful, and that scares us.  I know.

So here you are at this point in the school year.  Here is the midway point.  You know what your students need.  Now you can give them that or you can hold onto what you're expected to do.  I say let go and accept thos magic beans.  Trust, trust, trust that something remarkable will come of it.

My practice:  I'm noticing how different feelings manifest in my physical body.  This is a constant stretch as I was conditioned to despise and ignore my body.  I feel so uncomfortable with fear and anxiety that I tend to numb them with less than healthy food.  Once I see those choices I can let go to make room for the magic beans.  I just let go of something today that was causing me so much angst, and in the process I was able to be more creative in writing and art over the past couple hours than the past several weeks.  I let go of the cow, and sooner than I imagined the beans were working their magic.

A little exercise for you:  Tomorrow when you go to school just observe your physical response to social interactions and during the passage of the day and as you do the different roles you have as teacher.  Don't judge, just notice.

And then when you have some time, light a candle, take a few deep breaths, and imagine the feeling of accepting the magic beans.  Are you being called to action or more observation?  If action is it for yourself or your students--or some of both?  What does accepting the magic feel like and look like?

I can't wait to see what sort of magic is going to appear in your life and classroom in 2017!

xo Brave Mim