The Simple Things

Just one of those days, I suppose...last few days, actually have made me so thankful for the time I have here on earth to share with others; finding such pleasure and contentment in the simplest of things. My heart is warmed and swelled to such a state that I can hardly begin to describe. I'm hoping that all of you can find such satisfaction in the simple things life has to offer. Slow down; stop being defined by what you have to do. Stop letting that "Honey Do" list rule your life and take a few moments out to enjoy what is. Here are some guidelines:

1. Breathe. Just close your eyes, take a deep breath, and let it out slowly. Did you feel that? That's stress leaving your body and energy, health, and contentment settling in. It's amazing. Somehow, by the grace of God, I have found this profound contentment in my life by doing just that...taking it all in and being thankful, SO thankful, for what I have TODAY. Today is where I am...not dwelling on yesterday or fretting about tomorrow. Today is the most wonderful day I have lived because I made the choice to live it this way.

2. Celebrate the simple things. Life just blows by, doesn't it? Seems like yesterday that I was a teenager listening to this with my cousin Paulie, singing at the top of our lungs, laughing and never questioning what life had to throw us or even thinking about tomorrow. And the next thing I knew, I lost him and my gram because of some strange and often difficult design of life. Life changes in the blink of an eye. That's a very difficult pill I have had to swallow, often choking it down, this past year with my dad being so sick. But it's not our place to question; it is what it is. So, remember to take time to celebrate the simple things, no matter how small they may seem in the moment. Be thankful for what is before you today.

3. Recognize that there is a world beyond the one you are living at this moment. Often times, we are so engulfed in our own lives that we don't realize what is happening to those around us. The fact is that people are struggling all over this world right now. How might a good thought or a prayer affect them today if you took the time to give it? I don't know the answer, but it sure couldn't hurt and would take but a minute of your time and effort. You don't need to give money to affect change; not everyone has it in this economy either. But a simple thing like devoting a minute to good thoughts or spreading the word about someone else's struggle could inspire great things. Take a look at one awe-inspiring example here from one of the most incredible kids I have had the pleasure to meet.

Once again, I apologize for the current state of my blog. Re-building takes time, and as noted in this post, I have been taking time to appreciate the more simple things life has to offer rather than spending time in re-construction. As always, feedback is most welcome. Wishing the best to all you and yours.

"Blocked" Can Be a Good Thing

To quote the late, great John Lennon, "Life is what happens when you're busy making other plans." And so has been my life lately. Personally, Dad was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer in November and, that being said, blogging about my professional life has taken a back seat. Family has been the focus. But now that we have a clearer picture of the future and we've weathered a massive round of radiation and have clearance from his team here to go ahead and go back to FLA (yes, they are snowbirds) we are sitting more comfortably. But that's just us and our family. And, as my mom has said from the beginning, which has been a great deal of inspiration for me, "And that's where we are today." In other words, one day at a time. You can't think about the future and what might be and fret about it.

I'd like to introduce you to another family, whom I know won't mind me sharing their story as they are very transparent both in their current stuggle and in their teaching practices. Meet Mike and Liz Fisher, or as you may know them, @fisher1000 and @elizabethfisher on twitter. They are living the nightmare of having their toddler battling major health issues like brain surgery. So far the prognosis is good. She's speaking and walking and laughing and playing. And "That's where we are today."

So, no more excuses. Blogging weekly is my pledge to you, the www. I am back. And I am back thanks to a prominent twitter poster, an educator who shares a great deal, for contacting me because my blog was disabled due to a commenter post that had a virus. Thank you to @nashworld for alerting me to the fact that my blog was down, giving me the inspiration to write again, and helping me to focus on my mom's mantra "and that's where we are today."

I think that mindset has a great deal of potential to drive teachers and districts forward. We must be realistic and set achievable goals for our kids and we must take time to honestly identify where are today. From there we can work together to create a plan that inspires all learners, both students and teachers.

And that's all I have to say about that.