Challenge 2: Avoid BURN-OUT

Last Monday I began a yoga class that meets 3 mornings a week. The techniques I am learning and practicing are already starting to come in handy in other situations. Clearing the mind, deep breathing, listening to my environment, becoming aware of myself, good posture. I know I will continue to benefit from this as the school year progresses.

I am careful about what and when I eat, take a multi-vitamin, go to bed early & rise early to read & journal to start my day. I am careful about how I feed my mind, as well. What do I read, watch, listen to? Am I learning something new every day? Am I finding things to be grateful for?

I think my best tip to avoid burn-out is to LAUGH..."often and much" as Emerson said. Laugh with students, laugh at myself. I love what I do, and I do what I love. I am in my 14th year of teaching and am still having fun with it. 

This is MY moment

The title of today's post is the theme of the 30-Challenges for Educators.  So, what has been MY defining moment thus far in my career? I would have to say MY moment happens each time a former student contacts me to thank me, not just for teaching them a foreign language, but for encouraging them to do & be more than they thought they could be;  to tell me how I inspired or impacted their learning and/or career choices; to share their successes and adventures. I hold these moments close to my heart.

30 Challenges for Educators

Challenge 1: Create a ME manifesto.

Several years ago, I picked up the book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, by Donna Partow (subtitled A 90-Day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life). The first assignment during that 90-day journey was to create a Personal Vision Statement. In fact, I revisited this book recently, and if you go back to some earlier posts here, you'll see some of my introspection.

Anyway, getting back to this new challenge! I believe my earlier personal vision statement still serves me quite well for my ME manifesto. So here it is, once again, with a tweak or two from the original, to keep before me as I work through the next 29 challenges.

I use my energy, enthusiasm and sense of adventure to explore new opportunities to improve my world and the world at large. Knowing the best adventure is a shared adventure, I will encourage my family & friends, my students and my colleagues to join in the excitement.

La bande-son de ma vie

Tache 1: Choisir 8 évènements de la vie et une chanson d'accompagner chacun.

VOILÀ, mes mémoires sans les chansons. Je dois contempler et choisir la musique qui correspond à ces moments.

a. Ma famille a déménagé quand j'avais 7 ans.

b. J’ai commencé à porter des lunettes et les bagues (un appareil dentaire) quand j'avais 12 ans.

c. J’ai fait couper les cheveux dans le style "shag" quand j'avais 13 ans.

d. J'ai travaillé à une piscine en été et aux restaurants dès l'âge de 15 ans.

e. Mes parents m'ont acheté une voiture (Barracuda!) quand j'avais 16 ans.

f. J’ai commencé les études supérieures quand j'avais 17 ans.

g. J'ai rencontré mon mari deux mois plus tard.

h. Je suis allée en France pour faire les études quand j'avais 19 ans.

 

Posted with Blogsy

FINISH STRONG

Wow, I have NOT been diligent in journaling here - but, rest assured, I HAVE BEEN diligent in continuing the 90 day transformation. Today is day 86! I have struggled with a few of the weeks' themes, and know I fall far short in achieving the goal of becoming a Proverbs 31 woman.

Today's assignment: Write a vivid description of the woman you want to be at eighty-five.

The scripture reference is Joshua 14:8-12. Caleb is now eighty-five himself. He has remained true to God & has relied on God's promises for the past forty-five years. That is when Moses sent him out to scout the land & Caleb was in the minority when he asserted that the enemies could be defeated by God's power. They have now taken possession of the promised land, and Caleb is asking for his portion: "So here I am today, eighty-five years old! I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I'm just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then."

And so, with the Proverbs 31 woman, Caleb, my own parents & grandparents, and so many other heroes of the faith as my role models, who/what do I want to be at eighty-five? How do I intend to 'finish strong'? I have thirty years to consider as I look ahead on the path of my lifetime; and the assignment is to write not just a description, but a vivid description!

 

Posted with Blogsy

Untitled

She considers a field and buys it;

out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

She sets about her work vigorously;

her arms are strong for her tasks.

Proverbs 31:16-17

Oh dear. Last week the journey was about making wise food choices, not only for myself but for my family. I didn't have any doubts there. I'm pretty conscientious about meals and mealtimes. We rarely have sugary snacks (much to John's disappointment and frequent cabinet pillaging), fast food isn't in the budget. Wrestling season is a challenge because we eat later in the evenings. My personal rule is, "No eating after 7 p.m.", but John doesn't like to eat alone, so I break my own rule for a few months.

But this week is going to push me. The topic is Strengthening Your Body, and the verse above convicts me, "She sets about her work vigorously..." sigh... I'm vigorous throughout the school day, then come home to all that awaits (dishes, dinner, Christmas stuff still to pack away!), and the vigor is sucked right out of me.

Today's priority is to add a walk to my daily routine. I can do that! I have done that! Why am I not doing that? I had a walking routine all summer, I have a rebounder for walking indoors and I have walking DVDs that I enjoy! I kept telling myself when John started wrestling season, I would have time in the afternoon/evening to get in a 20-30 minute walk, but I never (not once!) took advantage of it. I know the advantages, I have reaped the rewards in the past: renewed energy, increased strength, improved self-esteem. So why aren't I exercising/walking now?

My reasons are merely excuses. I have the equipment, I have the right shoes, I have the cute clothes (!). Today is the day. I'm making my commitment public. Consider this an invitation to do the same and to keep me accountable!

I WILL WALK THREE TIMES WEEKLY.

Posted with Blogsy

Day 10-Devote Yourself to Prayer

A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
Proverbs 31:-10-13

 

Often, the work meant for those 'eager hands' is to be folded in prayer. In her book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, Donna Partow defines the purpose of prayer as bringing "heaven's power to bear on earth's circumstances."

What are your circumstances? Have you called on the power of heaven to sustain you? At times, prayer can and will change our circumstances. At other times, we should be prepared for prayer to change our hearts and minds, to change us in the midst of those circumstances.

And pray without ceasing! Here's a challenge for the rest of the journey: TITHE YOUR TIME IN PRAYER. How many wakeful hours are in your day? In mine, I average 17-18. That's about 2 hours for consciously communicating with my Heavenly Father. That time doesn't have to be on your knees, just make your prayer habit as natural as breathing. Do you or a loved one have an illness? Pray. Does the morning/evening news distress you? Pray. Did a driver cut you off in traffic? A shopper with an overflowing cart use the Express line? Pray. Do you notice a stranger with tears in their eyes? Someone begging on a corner? Do you have decisions to make? Are your children young? Are they adults? Are your parents suffering the difficulties of aging? Are you? Pray, pray and pray.

And then...watch. Watch to see what an all-knowing, all-powerful, loving God does with your prayer.

Finally, be thankful. Be thankful that He knows better than we do. That His plans and His timing are perfect. That the battle is already won, even though we may suffer momentarily.

God bless you, I am praying for YOU today.

Posted with Blogsy

Day 8: Become Consciously Selective

What music do I select? What TV programs? Books? What kind of clothes do I own? What people to I choose to spend time with and/or allow to influence me?

In her book, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, Donna Partow gives this definition: "To be selective means to be discriminating, discerning, and choosy--to be careful about the choices you make."

It all boils down to this question, "Is this God's highest and best for me?" TODAY, I will be consciously selective about how I invest my time, money, and other resources. And then I'll do the same tomorrow, and the day after... Taking one day at a time, reflecting on my successes and my failures at the end of the day.

Reading material?

Media exposure?

Fashion sense?

Financial priorities?

Family time?

Home life?

Food selection?

Personal appearance?

Time usage?

Posted with Blogsy

Day 3 of the journey

Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be. As I step out on this adventure of transformation (or maybe it's reformation), so far I have 1. created my Personal Vision Statement: I use my energy, enthusiasm and sense of adventure to explore new opportunities to improve my world and the world at large and 2. committed my next ninety mornings to Time Alone with God (TAG).

A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. Proverbs 31:10-11

A wife of noble character, what does that require?

• A capable woman
• A dignified woman
• A virtuous woman

And I so want to be the wife in whom her husband has full confidence. The journey continues...

Posted with Blogsy

Proverbs 31

Such a strong urging by the Holy Spirit to recommit to Proverbs 31. Several years ago I did a 90-day study, including memorization of the passage, paying more attention to our home, our finances, our health, our diets, etc. It was life-changing for me. But, as all good intentions go, after a great start on making the changes, keeping the Scripture ever in my heart and walking so wonderfully hand-in-hand with my loving God, I let life (not His, but mine) get in the way. Got busy, got upside down financially, quit eating right (more importantly, I quit ensuring that my husband was eating right).

So here it is, just a few days into the new year, and the Holy Spirit has been relentless in His encouragement! I even had to hunt for the book I used all those years ago. I found a few others on my shelf that I considered studying instead, but He said "No...find the book." And then He led me to where I had stashed it away.

If you're interested, the book is titled, Becoming the Woman God Wants Me to Be, A 90-Day Guide to Living the Proverbs 31 Life. The author is Donna Partow. Need an ISBN? It's 978-0-7394-9997-9. I hope you'll join me on the journey!

Today is Saturday. Ms. Partow instructs the reader to begin the meat of the guide on a Monday. In the meantime, I'm preparing my mind, heart and body for the adventure I KNOW is ahead. I'll step out in faith on Monday, 7 January, and will keep you posted throughout the 90 days.

Keep me in your prayers!

 

Posted with Blogsy