Oh cephalopod!
Brainy and agile are you
a delicacy
Octopus
Author: chungwipff
Soft and Bland
Set Yourself Up
In training our new dog to like her crate, I randomly place tasty treats inside and keep the door open. When we first got her, she refused to go in – most likely because it reminded her of the kennel where she lived with hundreds of other dogs.
But quickly, she grew to associate her crate with treats. Only happy things happened there: some peace and quiet, a warm bed and chicken jerky.
We can do the same for ourselves. We can create positive associations to activities and places that are good for us that we might not feel so great about right now.
There are a group of cyclists that ride by my community every morning around 5:30 a.m. Most likely, they don’t think Ugh, have to wake up early and go riding again. Instead, they might associate this activity with camaraderie, friendship, and a feeling of vitality.
The ultimate power lies in knowing how to train ourselves to be better.
Exuberance is Everywhere
“Being present means living without control and always having your needs met.”
Byron Katie, On Work and Money
Control = illusion
true needs are few, wants are not
all I need, I have
Down Dog
Sunday Suggestion
I’ve been pushing myself lately to be as productive as possible at work and at home: teaching, preparing for National Board Certification, participating in a video coaching study, painting, working on two books and publishing this blog daily. 🙂 Exercising in the morning actually makes me feel more energetic so that is how I start the day. The days end with cooking dinner and cleaning up.
But I’ve been feeling…unsettled….a bit anxious, even. If I don’t get to all my tasks, I feel down on myself. I’ve been feeling like the proverbial hamster on her wheel: running and getting nowhere.
A few days ago, I was waylaid by the flu. I gave a talk Thursday night to parents for Curriculum Night and then collapsed when I got home.
Of course, I was majorly bummed and nearly distraught: I don’t have time to be sick!
Bedbound, I realized the grace in being forced to slow down. Obviously, my body is trying to tell me something. Unable to clean the house, paint (properly), write or workout is a good exercise in just being. Illness has forced me to get more sleep and in stillness, I’ve watched the monsoons each night in all their glory: thunder, lightning and rain.
So, today, my Sunday Suggestion is to slow down. Maybe whittle a task or two off your “To Do List”
Say “no” more often. Ask for help. Take a walk instead of checking email. Hang out with positive, quality people. Plan a day to do nothing but enjoy yourself.
It might diminish the anxiety. It might help you find your center. It’s already working for me.
Be True and Free
These dogs are 100% true to themselves, apparently.
“Stress is the alarm clock that lets you know you’ve attached to something not true for you.”
Byron Katie
Feeling Stuck
I’ve been feeling stuck in my writing and my art. Doing the art in Lisa Congdon’s “Messy Sketchbook” Creativebug class has loosened me up. But I think I need to do more of it, and more yoga, too.
Heart Haiku
Curriculum Night
Inform parents about class
Learning never ends
Student Council Elections
I say this every year during Student Council election time: Adults could take a cue from these 4th – 8th graders when it comes to running a campaign.
This is what they do:
- Stick to positive actions they want to actuate;
- Talk only about what THEY stand for and how receptive they will be to help the community;
- Give heartfelt speeches despite their fear of public speaking
…and candidates who lose tearfully congratulate the winners.
It’s an endless source of inspiration and hope for me. I feel optimistic and happy about our future because these kids have huge hearts and really put themselves out there.
We adults just need to be better role models for them.
Kismet 