ME Time - Mindful Educator

  I recently attended a leadership meeting were we discussed what Abundance Thinking meant to us. In education there is always a discussion of needing "more". More resources, more people, more money, more time, more support, more, more, more!!! However, sometimes there is not a focus on gratitude, or innovative thinking for what is already right in front of us. Don't get me wrong, there are many schools and district that truly do not have equitable resources compared to others. Students and teachers deserve equitable support, in the form of quality educators, updated and rigorous curriculum and learning environments that are safe and engaging. Teachers and staff also deserve livable wages where they don't need to have second jobs or worrying about supporting their families. Those basic needs and supports are essential. However, even in affluent school districts, there are scarcity mindsets instead of abundance thinking.  During my discussion with colleagues during thi...

  Clearing Out The Clutter - should be the theme of my summer!!!! Literally and figuratively, this summer has been an expedition in releasing what does not serve me and focusing on what really matters to my mind, heart and soul. After losing 100 pounds, I had so many clothes that no longer fit me. I tried to selling items on Facebook Marketplace, with no lock, bus was able to consign a few items at Best Friends Consignment . I still had six bins of 3X-XL & size 18-14 clothes. I decided to have a garage sale. Ultimately, after two days of sitting in my yard, reading books with my mom; we sold $100 worth of stuff. At the end of the last day of sales, we bagged everything up and took it to Savers to donate it.  I also did not plant a garden this year. I realized last summer that my garden of vegetables and mostly weeds was not bringing me joy. I liked when it was nice and orderly when I first planted it, but I couldn't spend every hour in the garden, weeding and trimming. The...

  After losing 100 pounds I've gained strength, energy, flexibility, mobility as well as commitment, determination and resilience. But that has also come with loose skin, droopy breasts, countless hours in the gym/yoga studio, saying "NO" to food and drinks that will derail my progress and to my husbands chagrin, spending money on clothes that will actually fit me. I feel happier, healthier and love being able to show up guys at the gym who are surprised at seeing an almost 44 year old lady out rep them or lift heavy. I love when I'm able to finally settle my body into crow pose in front of a crowded yoga class or when I'm able to try more challenging poses that I wouldn't have been able to do a year ago. But all this doesn't come with a easy fix, it has taken months to get down to a healthy weight and years to develop a mindset that allows me to continue, get back on, and move forward; even after stresses, disturbance in my routines and shit happening tha...