"Be aware" she told herself as she hoisted the garbage can over the lip of a small concrete step on the way to the curb. "Notice the small things - feel the weight of the can, the heat of the sun, the sound of the plastic wheels scraping heavily on the driveway."
She mentally recited her current mantra: "I am well, I am thin, I am healthy, I am strong." Sometimes just words.... sometimes words that meant something. Right now, they merely provoked questions. Strong?? What did that mean, really? Not just accommodating and tolerant. She wanted strength of body, strength of conviction, strength of soul.
The dog lives in the present. It does not harbor resentment towards other animals who have done it wrong - human or otherwise. It forgives and forgets immediately. It does not hold a grudge for a past growl or bite or kick or forgotten meal. NOW is what matters. A lesson that resonated with her. Let go. Forgive. Be strong. Be aware. Be present.
A tall order, at present, she sighed. But - not impossible.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
Yes, but.....
We say we won't let the terrorists win
We say we will become stronger - we won't be broken
by the senseless bloodshed, the fear, the evil
We say our hearts are heavy
we are sad, devastated, heartbroken
We say this time, things will change
Yes, but.....
how much more must we take?
When will we all awake to the reality that we can only
win if we are not out for ourselves but are there for our fellow man and woman
whether we know her or not, whether we agree with him or not
How much more?
How often must we repeat "Our thoughts and prayers are with (fill in the current blank)"
Strikes me that we are headed toward what is the daily norm for people
in Syria, and Afghanistan and most of Africa
Is this to be our new normal - bombs, mass shootings, random terror?
Do we respond by arming ourselves even more heavily?
Is this the change we believe in?
Is this how we make the violence stop?
Or is there another way - if we will only take it - if we will only
move past the fear that drives our hardened stance
move past the lack of understanding that prevents us from
seeing each other as beautiful, and worthwhile and familiar
We have ceded our compassion, our love, our empathy, our selflessness
We say we must be strong, we must have hope
Yes, but -
perhaps we must also change
I despair at the moment....
Quote of the day: It is clear that the way to heal society of its violence...and lack of love is to
replace the pyramid of domination with the circle of equality and respect.
~Manitonquat
by the senseless bloodshed, the fear, the evil
We say our hearts are heavy
we are sad, devastated, heartbroken
We say this time, things will change
Yes, but.....
how much more must we take?
When will we all awake to the reality that we can only
win if we are not out for ourselves but are there for our fellow man and woman
whether we know her or not, whether we agree with him or not
How much more?
How often must we repeat "Our thoughts and prayers are with (fill in the current blank)"
Strikes me that we are headed toward what is the daily norm for people
in Syria, and Afghanistan and most of Africa
Is this to be our new normal - bombs, mass shootings, random terror?
Do we respond by arming ourselves even more heavily?
Is this the change we believe in?
Is this how we make the violence stop?
Or is there another way - if we will only take it - if we will only
move past the fear that drives our hardened stance
move past the lack of understanding that prevents us from
seeing each other as beautiful, and worthwhile and familiar
We have ceded our compassion, our love, our empathy, our selflessness
We say we must be strong, we must have hope
Yes, but -
perhaps we must also change
I despair at the moment....
Quote of the day: It is clear that the way to heal society of its violence...and lack of love is to
replace the pyramid of domination with the circle of equality and respect.
~Manitonquat
Tuesday, April 9, 2013
On Writing
Why do I write?
I'm still learning why.
I don't do it too often - certainly not as often as I would like
Yet - didn't I just finish 31 consecutive
writing days!?
So - why? Why did I do that?
Why do I commit now to every Tuesday? . . . and more?
Why did I fill journals as a youth?
Why does fine stationary and envelope make me breathe deeply with satisfaction?
Why do pen and blank paper pull me, beseech me -
"Come, lift us, use us, let us create lines and letters and words
and sentences to share your soul
with. . .
all who wish to hear, all who take the time, all who care,
with yourself."
Why does a blank screen, ebony keys
and a quiet moment
tease me, invite me, implore me to
tap out things I need to express but fear to?
Why do words swirl through my mind and heart
in an alluring dance
that entreats me to whirl among them,
leading and linking them
into elegant connections?
Why do I write?
To learn, of course, and to express, to wonder, to ponder, to share, to question, to think, to explore, to contemplate - yes - all of those.
But mostly - to create
and to commune - with others, with myself, with the Universe, with God.
I write to be more fully who I am
I write to become more fully who I am meant to be.
Quotes of the day: Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.
~William Wordsworth
The maker of a sentence launches out into
the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and Old Night,
and is followed by those who hear him
with something of wild, creative delight.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
I'm still learning why.
I don't do it too often - certainly not as often as I would like
Yet - didn't I just finish 31 consecutive
writing days!?
So - why? Why did I do that?
Why do I commit now to every Tuesday? . . . and more?
Why did I fill journals as a youth?
Why does fine stationary and envelope make me breathe deeply with satisfaction?
Why do pen and blank paper pull me, beseech me -
"Come, lift us, use us, let us create lines and letters and words
and sentences to share your soul
with. . .
all who wish to hear, all who take the time, all who care,
Why does a blank screen, ebony keys
and a quiet moment
tease me, invite me, implore me to
tap out things I need to express but fear to?
Why do words swirl through my mind and heart
in an alluring dance
that entreats me to whirl among them,
leading and linking them
into elegant connections?
Why do I write?
To learn, of course, and to express, to wonder, to ponder, to share, to question, to think, to explore, to contemplate - yes - all of those.
But mostly - to create
and to commune - with others, with myself, with the Universe, with God.
I write to be more fully who I am
I write to become more fully who I am meant to be.
Quotes of the day: Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.
~William Wordsworth
The maker of a sentence launches out into
the infinite and builds a road into Chaos and Old Night,
and is followed by those who hear him
with something of wild, creative delight.
~Ralph Waldo Emerson
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Beginnings and Endings
A roundabout way of saying THANK YOU:
In my fourth grade class, we begin each day with a short morning routine - only lasts a few minutes but it gives everyone a moment to say hello to each other and sets the tone for the day. At fourth, the kids aren't into the "cutesy" stuff - so I put on some tunes - always upbeat - usually something from current pop music and they greet each other with a handshake, high five or hug. Then we take "nominations" whereby students nominate 4 kids each day for something they have done nice for someone else, or for being a good friend, or for some other act of kindness. It is a small way to recognize each other, but the kids seem to enjoy the activity.
I began this SOLSC this year with a gratitude list - and have decided to end it with one as well - especially considering we are ending on Easter - it seems fitting to look back with appreciation for all that I've gained this month and to look forward to the days ahead with hope and thankfulness.
So - to that end, I would like to start with a few "nominations" of my own for several fellow slicers who have come to mean a lot to me during this challenge.
I'll begin by nominating Ruth and Stacey for the insight to create this challenge in the first place and for the determination and effort to keep it running, especially given how much it has grown since its inception. You have created a community of writers who offer each other needed support, advice and encouragement. You have created a safe place for people to explore their craft. You have created an opportunity for people to focus on the fleeting moments in life, the small moments of magic, the often overlooked moments that make our daily routine - which are, in fact, the most meaningful and poignant occasions. Thank you for the invitation to stop, look, wonder, question, rant, celebrate, appreciate, complain, worry, praise, create, write...
I would like to nominate Terje for regularly commenting on my posts, as well as for the inspiration you have become to me as a writer. I appreciate the effort you made this month to visit my blog and offer the kindest words of support and understanding. I appreciate YOU as a writer - your imagination and ability to craft words into beautiful pose and poetry has been and will continue to be a motivating force for me. Your writing is remarkable; your encouragement is cherished.
I would like to nominate Elsie for becoming what I can only call a "kindred spirit". I have connected with not only your writing, but also with you personally - which is odd in a way, considering we have never met. Yet, I feel we "know" each other. Thank you for all of your warm and enthusiastic comments over the past month. I always missed hearing from you when you did not post a comment. I loved learning more about you through your posts. Here's hoping we might actually meet some day. Thank you also for the words of encouragement to keep slicing throughout the year. Your comments have lit a fire within me - I'll really try to give it a shot. Thank you!
I would like to nominate other "friends" who took the time to regularly comment on my posts - some of you are Tara @ A Teaching Life, Maya Woodall, Rachel Z., Kay, BK, Donna, Tam, Linda @ Teacher Dance, Jackie, and Anita. So many of you graciously took the time to stop and read my writing - and make comments of appreciation, connection, curiosity - I have learned from you and grown from our interactions. Thank you.
Finally, I nominate All of you who participated in this year's SOLSC - whether we ever made a connection or not. Just knowing that I was a part of such a wonderfully creative and supportive community has been an invaluable experience for me. I have grown personally, emotionally and creatively. I have felt the warm embrace of a group of wonderful people who share the desire to learn, teach, inspire, share, ponder, imagine.
I hate to say goodbye, but I know it is goodbye for many of us - at least for another year. I promise Elsie to make an effort to slice each Tuesday - thereby continuing to be connected to this world of writers and continuing to hone my personal craft.
Thank you once again for all your many gifts this past month, fellow slicers. It has been a blessing and delight to be in your presence.
Happy Easter to all!
Quotes of the day: What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel
that they are joined for life - to be with each other
in silent unspeakable memories. ~George Eliot
Among the things you can give and still keep
are your word, a smile and a grateful heart. ~Zig Ziglar
In my fourth grade class, we begin each day with a short morning routine - only lasts a few minutes but it gives everyone a moment to say hello to each other and sets the tone for the day. At fourth, the kids aren't into the "cutesy" stuff - so I put on some tunes - always upbeat - usually something from current pop music and they greet each other with a handshake, high five or hug. Then we take "nominations" whereby students nominate 4 kids each day for something they have done nice for someone else, or for being a good friend, or for some other act of kindness. It is a small way to recognize each other, but the kids seem to enjoy the activity.
I began this SOLSC this year with a gratitude list - and have decided to end it with one as well - especially considering we are ending on Easter - it seems fitting to look back with appreciation for all that I've gained this month and to look forward to the days ahead with hope and thankfulness.
So - to that end, I would like to start with a few "nominations" of my own for several fellow slicers who have come to mean a lot to me during this challenge.
I'll begin by nominating Ruth and Stacey for the insight to create this challenge in the first place and for the determination and effort to keep it running, especially given how much it has grown since its inception. You have created a community of writers who offer each other needed support, advice and encouragement. You have created a safe place for people to explore their craft. You have created an opportunity for people to focus on the fleeting moments in life, the small moments of magic, the often overlooked moments that make our daily routine - which are, in fact, the most meaningful and poignant occasions. Thank you for the invitation to stop, look, wonder, question, rant, celebrate, appreciate, complain, worry, praise, create, write...
I would like to nominate Terje for regularly commenting on my posts, as well as for the inspiration you have become to me as a writer. I appreciate the effort you made this month to visit my blog and offer the kindest words of support and understanding. I appreciate YOU as a writer - your imagination and ability to craft words into beautiful pose and poetry has been and will continue to be a motivating force for me. Your writing is remarkable; your encouragement is cherished.
I would like to nominate Elsie for becoming what I can only call a "kindred spirit". I have connected with not only your writing, but also with you personally - which is odd in a way, considering we have never met. Yet, I feel we "know" each other. Thank you for all of your warm and enthusiastic comments over the past month. I always missed hearing from you when you did not post a comment. I loved learning more about you through your posts. Here's hoping we might actually meet some day. Thank you also for the words of encouragement to keep slicing throughout the year. Your comments have lit a fire within me - I'll really try to give it a shot. Thank you!
I would like to nominate other "friends" who took the time to regularly comment on my posts - some of you are Tara @ A Teaching Life, Maya Woodall, Rachel Z., Kay, BK, Donna, Tam, Linda @ Teacher Dance, Jackie, and Anita. So many of you graciously took the time to stop and read my writing - and make comments of appreciation, connection, curiosity - I have learned from you and grown from our interactions. Thank you.
Finally, I nominate All of you who participated in this year's SOLSC - whether we ever made a connection or not. Just knowing that I was a part of such a wonderfully creative and supportive community has been an invaluable experience for me. I have grown personally, emotionally and creatively. I have felt the warm embrace of a group of wonderful people who share the desire to learn, teach, inspire, share, ponder, imagine.
I hate to say goodbye, but I know it is goodbye for many of us - at least for another year. I promise Elsie to make an effort to slice each Tuesday - thereby continuing to be connected to this world of writers and continuing to hone my personal craft.
Thank you once again for all your many gifts this past month, fellow slicers. It has been a blessing and delight to be in your presence.
Happy Easter to all!
Quotes of the day: What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel
that they are joined for life - to be with each other
in silent unspeakable memories. ~George Eliot
Among the things you can give and still keep
are your word, a smile and a grateful heart. ~Zig Ziglar
Saturday, March 30, 2013
What I've Learned
• Year Two was definitely more difficult to find inspiration to write - is Year 3 better?
• Poor health colors one's outlook on everything
• It's nice to be remembered by other writers - even though you haven't heard from them in a year
• The people drawn to this challenge are amazingly talented, and kind, and brave
• The lack of comments on one's posts makes me feel defeated - I actually learned this last year but
was reminded of it often this year
• When I think I have a lot on my plate, I am quickly reminded through other's posts that my challenges
cannot compare to many of yours - many of you are a true inspiration to persistence and
positive thinking
• It is important to look at and for the small things in life that are beautiful, or meaningful, or magical
• I miss the days when my children were young - thank you to all authors who let me re-live those
days through your posts about special moments with your little ones
• I may miss those days, but I also appreciate where my kids are right now - they constantly amaze me
• I am finally ready to get back up and start moving again - and hopefully drop the 10 pounds I've put
on
• I will miss all of you and this community - I will attempt to write each Tuesday - but won't beat
myself up if I fail to meet this challenge
Quote of the day: To see a World in a Grain of Sand
And a Heaven in a wild Flower,
Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand
And Eternity in an hour.
~William Blake
Friday, March 29, 2013
Tulips
These make me happy!
Enough said.....
Quote of the day: Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers
where I can walk undisturbed. ~Walt Whitman
Thursday, March 28, 2013
Monte Vista
My school, Monte Vista Elementary, is now 82 years old. It was opened in February 1931 on a "barren mesa" at the edge of the city and the new school was described as "one of the finest of its kind in the Southwest." It was originally an 8-room school that housed 225 students grades K - 7th. The final cost of the original building was $85,000.
Today, it has expanded to house around 480 students, but retains its original charm and historical significance. Its age definitely presents certain adjustments staff have to make, and we always have to be careful whenever we update the physical building, as we were honored to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places a few years ago. It is a unique building, full of eccentricities (fodder for a future post, perhaps!!)
Yet, despite its age - or perhaps because of it - this old place makes me happy, comfortable. Especially on those days when I don't really want to be facing a day of teaching.
I can pull into my parking space and look up at the large picture windows and red Spanish tile which welcome me - and everything is better.
 |
| The side I park on - usually covered with dark green vines which turn flame red in the fall |
 |
| The walkway up to the front of the building |
 |
| The front lawn - a shady, relaxing place to hang out to read or write with the kids this time of year |
 |
| Our National Register of Historic Places plaque |
 |
| Many of our walls are decorated with student-painted murals |
 |
| Love the huge picture windows - the whole building is awash in light |
 |
| My home away from home - thanks for taking the tour with me. |
Quote of the day: A morsel of genuine history is a thing so rare as to be always valuable.
~Thomas Jefferson
Wednesday, March 27, 2013
Absent Afflatus
I nvisible
N ot presently present
S ilently sulking
P atiently waiting for it
I ncredibly frustrating
R eminding myself that this is hard
A bject failure today
T otally devoid of ideas or desire
I magination crumbles
O pen to the merest inkling of illumination
N one to be found…
Sorry.
Quote of the day: If you have an apple and I have an apple and we exchange these apples then you and I will still each have one apple. But if you have an idea and I have an idea and we exchange these ideas, then each of us will have two ideas. ~George Bernard Shaw
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Testing Woes
Testing – Day 6
Glazed eyes
Heads down on desks
Lots
of erasing
Bloody noses
Furrowed brows
Lots
of raised hands
“I don’t understand……..”
Eyes blink, foreheads rubbed
Tally marks
when they should be using multiplication
BUT WE WENT OVER
AND OVER THIS IN CLASS
WHY DON’T THEY
REMEMBER???
Lost in thought, staring out windows
shuffling feet
Sighs, coughs, sniffs
Lots
of bathroom breaks
“My pencil broke…”
Construction noises outside
YEAH –
BRILLIANT PLANNING – LET’S START
MAJOR
RENOVATIONS DURING TESTING WEEKS!!!
Eyes wander, return to the page
Bubbles filled in
Tests dropped on the ground
pages turned
Weariness, heaviness, frustration weigh down
To be repeated….. TOMORROW.
WHY?
Quote of the day: “In school we learn things
then take the test,
In
everyday life we take the test then we learn things.”
~Admon Israel
Monday, March 25, 2013
Too Late?
Oh no...... can I get the post in on time?
What a day.... teaching, testing, sub plans for afternoon,
doctor's appointment, cold and windy track meet that went on
FOOOOORRRRREEEEEVVVVVEEEERRRR,
home for late dinner, dishes, 2 hours of helping with homework - a late night for all.
Going to bed - hope I get this in on time.
Quote of the day: Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday. ~A.A. Milne
What a day.... teaching, testing, sub plans for afternoon,
doctor's appointment, cold and windy track meet that went on
FOOOOORRRRREEEEEVVVVVEEEERRRR,
home for late dinner, dishes, 2 hours of helping with homework - a late night for all.
Going to bed - hope I get this in on time.
Quote of the day: Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there someday. ~A.A. Milne
Sunday, March 24, 2013
Lessons Learned
Some things I’ve learned – after the age of 40:
I wasted a lot of time and energy on poor self-esteem during
my first 40 years
Exercise always improves your frame of mind
Every “season” of a child’s life is the BEST
A dog can dramatically reduce anger
Don’t waste your time on negative people – move on
Human beings are powerful sources of energy – for good or
bad
Live in the present – look for the good around you
Be grateful – always
You have the power within you to change your attitude – at
any moment –
It is a CHOICE
Don’t define yourself by your limitations – you can do more
than you give yourself credit for
Don’t define yourself by other people’s opinions of you
Forgive yourself
Good communication is essential to any healthy relationship
– you can
always
learn to be a better communicator
Assume the best of others first
If you remember to begin each day with thankfulness first,
you have created
the tone
of your day in advance
Speaking your mind has its place, but silence is often a
better choice
LISTEN
Don’t take things personally
BELIEVE- in yourself, in life, in all things
Things change
Positive thoughts are life transforming
and, don’t waste a minute teaching these same lessons to
your kids – repeatedly,
while they are young.
Quote of the day: .
. .the highest virtue is to act without a sense of self
. . .the
highest kindness is to give without condition
. . .the
highest justice is to see without preference
~from
the Tao Te Ching
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)