Keep Inspiration Close

You've probably heard, and maybe said, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer."  I say forget all that--no matter what keep your inspiration close at hand.

Whatever you touch every single day should have something that inspires you.

Right now I touch my calendar ever single day, so on the front I have two post it notes where I quickly jotted down two tidbits of inspiration.





They aren't pretty or fancy, but I find myself reading them--even when I'm not intending to look at them!


"Create the thing you wish existed."

"Be faithful to that which exists nowhere but in yourself."  {Andre Gide}


My gaze passes over them, and I'm reading.  It's automatic.

I'm a big believer in training our mind to lead us.

So what's the take away for you?

I don't know!  I do have a couple suggestions:

1.  Fill your world with inspiration.  Start today.  Don't wait--post its with quotes and affirmations and religious text, photos, collages, natural elements, art, music.  Fill it with as much as you can and you will be filled in return.

2.  Sign up for Summer of Inspiration.  {Yes, I am shamelessly promoting my free summer emails.  The quotes speak to me and lead to the art--be it ever so humble!  You still have time to get some great stuff!  These might even be fun to share with your students or coworkers in the Fall!

3.  Plan now to fill your classroom with words that inspire your students.  You might even invite students to bring in quotes or ask adults what inspires them.  Do you see how this can lead many directions?  You might be surprised by how many teachable moments will be had over a quote by Dr. Seuss or Shel Silverstein or whomever you to choose to place in your classroom in the honored seat of inspiration.

I Am The Queen Bee

Yesterday I received a fabulous piece of art in the mail. It's a raised carving print. I was very drawn to it on etsy (see other prints and journals by the artist here), and I think I like it more and more everytime I look at it. The artist, Catherine Just, I became aquainted with through the Mondo Beyondo class--which I can't recommend highly enough.

My intention with the piece of art was to fill my classroom this year with things that inspire me and my students. I loved this line by the artist, "The queen bee knows who she is, and she isn't afraid to own it!" I think of how inspiring it would be to my students if I really owned who I was, not trying to fit into other expectations and having enough awareness of myself to know when this was happening and stop it.

In addition to the print here are some other things that will be in our classroom this year: plants, (maybe fish,) linens, lamps, pillows, a sofa, fun writing paper and office supplies--not just business. I also want to include and inspiration board for myself.

What do you include in your workspace to inspire you?

Inspire

Every year I think of a new word that really fits me, and it becomes my personal and professional theme for the school year. Last year the word was THRIVE. I just decided on the word for the upcoming year. . .(drumroll) INSPIRE!

I was thinking about what inspires me. I walked outside with a camera and had to photograph these plants growing out of the wall by my driveway. It would seem impossible that plants would even try to grow out of blocks and mortar, but here they are, and I'm inspired.

Some of what inspires me here and now:

1. Sam (who danced on his knees like crazy at a concert last night)
2. Summer flowers in bloom
3. Water--puddles, lakes, oceans, rain, even baths
4. E-courses--Mondo Beyondo and Flying Lessons are the two that have inspired me this year.
5. Time to read for business and pleasure
6. Starting my year long plan for school and feeling excited
7. Inspiring other people
8. Time by myself

Stay tuned for more of what inspires me and how I plan to inspire others.