Finishing Well

My students and I survived testing.  It was a challenge on Friday just to get back into a regular old math lesson with no practice questions!  I really did feel a let down when it was all over.  I try to act like it doesn't matter, but my body tells a different story.

So what's next?

I've been thinking about what does it mean to finish well.  So what does it mean to finish well?

Here are some of the things I'm thinking about finishing well:

• I'm providing my students with some projects to take away from the year with them--a power point research project, a poetry anthology, book club projects.
• Having special events like field trips
• Cleaning the room so it is ready to start next year.
• Beginning planning for next year so that it can be even better than this year
• HERE IS THE REALLY BIG ONE--taking care of myself so that none of the above things, or the mountain of year end paperwork, or my life away from school makes me crazy.  So that I enter summer calmly.

I'm not sure how to do all of this, but I hope to share some of that here.

I'm also doing a FREE live coaching session on Thursday, May 3, at 9 p.m. Eastern.  I'll share more about this over the next couple days.

What are you doing to finish well this year?

Get Me Out of Here! I'm Starting To Make Bad Choices

Get me out of here! I'm starting to make bad choices!

Those words were uttered by the two year old who lives at my house tonight at the dinner table. I find this simultaneously funny and frightening. You might be raised by a teacher if the words that flow from your lips are about personal responsibility at age 2!
I also felt like it was a dare. If you don't do something now, you're going to be sorry, mom.

Where does this come from? Is it deep inside all of us, but we don't always have a chance to practice letting it out?

I'm so fascinated to witness this little guys development.

What do you find fascinating these days?

Plein Air Adventure

Today was the day I tried something new--for fun. I really tried to limit the pressure I put on myself. (Which is always a challenge!) I participated in Streetscapes: Akron in Plein Air . If you know me then you know I'm super creative and enthusiastic, but I've NEVER done anything like this--ever.

The day started with breakfast with my little family and rain. We got canvases and papers stamped so that it would be obvious that you actually painted outside today. And then I headed for the Towpath because I knew there would be plants that I could paint there. It was hot and HUMID--as soon as I got set up it started to rain again. When I let go of feeling self conscious I LOVED painting. I wish I let myself create more just for fun--without judgement.

I painted flowers and plants and a little canal water way tunnel. This was watercolor, my favorite super portable medium. Then I took a lunch break, framed some of those and went back with acrylics. It was soo different than my morning work. You can see it above. I titled it Brave Queen's Lace. Then I took the acrylic and the framed watercolors to Summit Art Space to turn them in--more feeling self conscious.

I'm so grateful for the experience. At least one of my pieces will be in show at Summit Artspace August 12 - September 17. I'm excited so see the work of the other artists. I'm so glad I just did it. It was a brave experience for me.

What are you doing, even if you feel the fear or self judgement?

Updates On Life. . . Because You Asked

So here are some things people have been asking me about, and you might want to know:

The Good Karma Yard Sale was so successful. We estimate that we eliminated at least 10 boxes of stuff we've just had hanging around--including some school stuff I've had in boxes in my basement or other people's basement for about 8 years! I'm not sure what all goodness is coming our way, but the clearing of stuff feels so good!

The Art and Soul of Brave Teachers first workshop was amazing! It was a great experience for me. It was also good for participants. You can go here to read some of what participants had to say about it! I can't wait to do it again with a new group of people at Lakeside, July 11 - 15. If you can join us, I'd love to meet you! If you want more information about hosting your own Brave Teacher Adventure or Retreat, contact me.

There Is No Magic Wand, my first ebook is coming out in the next week. I'm still trying to pack in more activities and worksheets. It's going to be so much more than a book. It will be like a wonderful little personal retreat center with activities and action steps you can visit over and over again.

The list of people receiving Sweet Summer Treats is growing! If you haven't signed up, please do today, so you can receive the next little email treat. Invite friends to sign up, too! It's FREE!

Is there anything else you want to know about over here at "Brave Summer Central"?
What are you doing these days?

Brave Women Blazing Trails

I started a Brave Women's Breakfast back in January. I wanted to give and receive support from other women. It was a brainstorm. It is still growing and evolving.

We met this past Saturday. We had breakfast at Flury's Cafe--a gem of a little diner. And then one other woman (Yep, it's Brave Woman, Aine, featured in the photo above!) and I headed out to hike a bit of the Buckeye Trail. This is not for the faint of the heart, but it's also fun and interesting. And a day later I still feel really good about. We blazed the trail in West Branch State Park. We intended to hike a spur trail, but when I look at the map, I think we actually went further. I suspect we hiked over 4.5 miles, but with no pedometer, I'm not certain.

I'm looking forward to more Trailblazing of the Blue Blazes on the Buckeye Trail.

What brave action, large or small, are you taking?

A Walk in Nature and a Content Heart

Today was the first day in over a week that the sun was actually shining for more than a tease. I thought about staying late after school to start to sort and purge files. Instead I left for home at about 4 o'clock, went out for pizza with my little family, and went for a walk in the woods.

The water was rushing in the river--like I've never seen before in this little branch of the Cuyahoga River. Part of the trail had been washed out by the water. The rushing water was powerful, a little bit scary, and soothing--all at the same time. The trail was lined with dandelions going to seed and so many types of little spring flowers tucked behind trees and leaves. As we heard the babbling river and the song birds, my heart was and is content.

The downed tree really left and impression on Sam. The other end was in that rushing water, so it was pulsing as the rushing current tugged on it. The strength of the water was incredible. It was like a motor was attached to the other end. It got me to thinking about people who are caught in all the flooding along the Mississippi. I feel sorrow for them, and I feel gratitude for what I have.

When do you feel content?

Half Full Sort of Day

I really like this campaign at Arby's--on the cups it says, "It's going to be a glass half full sort of day." This really got me to thinking about how seeing the glass half full is a choice. I've known people who looked wildly successful, but chose negativity and pessimism most of the time. I've known people with a terminal illness who lifted my spirits with their optimism and positivity.

When the tough times come it can be tough to see the glass half full. Sometimes it seems downright impossible. But at some point it is a comfort to know that I have a choice.

Are you having a half full sort of day?

What Do You "Need"?: A Toddler's Perspective

The moment of my day that filled my heart with the most joy occurred in the couple minutes before we sat down for dinner tonight. My husband warmed up some real leftover mac and cheese and whipped up some dill buttered carrots. It smelled sensational. I'm standing over the stove scooping this onto a little plate and saying to the 2 year old in our family, "Are you ready for some macaroni and cheese and yummy carrots? Without missing a beat he says , "I NEED CANDY!" I kid you not. I need candy.

I find it very easy to confuse wants and needs--not just when we are two! Often the things I really need I've convinced myself I just want, because it's okay to have unfulfilled wants. It's much tougher to have unfulfilled needs.

What do you really need today?

Rush to Opportunity

I'm a recovering perfectionist and procrastinator. These are both characteristics based in fear. I live with a two year old who knows nothing of procrastination. He rushes to an opportunity. There is a gate! Let's rush to it and through it! I think this is such a good lesson for me today. It's been oozing into my life from many sources in the last year. I have resisted many opportunities because I could not do them perfectly--like starting a blog or website. Like dream big dreams for the future. Sometimes I know I just need to throw caution to the wind and rush toward the gate of opportunity.

What opportunity could you be rushing toward today?