Inspiration and resources for balance before burnout
Archive for the ‘summer vacation’ Category
Bringing The Outside In
Monday, April 9th, 2012
Sometimes when we are craving nature, we are not able to get out of doors for a walk or hike. What can we do to fulfill this need? Why not bring the outside in? Here are 6 ways.
1. Cut Flowers
This needn't cost a lot. A cut boquet from a grocery store or from a field of wildflowers can suffice.
2. The Grass Is Always Greener
Primary grade teachers know how easy this is. Fill a pretty container with potting soil, cover with grass seed, and water. You can have the best lawn in the neighborhood right in your classroom or office.
3. Sand Gardens
You have probably seen the zen gardens with white beach sand to "play" in. Add some pretty stones, shells or a mini rake for your very own sandbox.
4. Bird Calls
CD's of bird songs, bubbling brooks, or crashing waves are another way to bring the outside in. There are now several apps that you can even download on an ipod, ipad or phone.
5. Water Fountains
The sound of water is soothing and a desk fountain can help alleviate dryness of school airconditioning or heat.
6. Outdoor Trophies
Momentos from a day outside or a great vacation can remind you of the pleasures of nature. A pretty stone, piece of driftwood, cut branches or even pine cones, can be enough to muster up memories of a different season.
Personal Retreat – Preparing for the launch
Thursday, March 22nd, 2012The secret to a successful retreat is preparation and contemplation. The more you can do before hand, the more relaxed and in the flow you will be on the actual retreat.
Step One: Find your "Why"
My first step preparing for my retreat was to clarify my purpose for the trip. Was I relaxing, creating, or sleeping? Was I stressed, exhausted, or just stuck?
I needed this trip for some alone time to get my creative juices flowing. It was important to me that I have time to begin creating my next project for The Whole Teacher and I needed alone time to do that. For a long time I have wanted to get away to a cottage near the dunes on Cape Cod and write while the winter winds were blowing snow drifts. Spring in Massachusetts had other plans, to my delight the weather was be beautiful and allowed for some outdoor excursions.
Step Two: Set your intention
I knew I needed to relax and renew, but I also wanted to balance that with actual work writing. I wouldn't have considered my retreat a success unless I left with some writing completed and a good solid plan for the future … something I could implement easily when I returned to my busy life. What is your purpose? Define it ahead so you are not disappointed if you don't get around to doing what you most wanted to do. But leave some room for intuition. Listen to what your soul is asking for.
Step Three: Select your "Where"
I knew that I had been called to the Cape. I have been looking online at inns and hotels that seem to meet my needs for location (the dunes) and safety and security of going alone. I also wanted someplace near some trails or historic locations, even if it rained I could sit and sip coffee in my car at a beach lot while working on some drafts. I also knew that I love driving down historic Route 6A, so part of the treat for me was enjoying the trip itself. Where would you like to go? Does it need to be close by? Is the ride part of your retreat? Do you want to drive, fly, or boat? All of this depends on your purpose and the amount of time you have for your retreat.
Step Four: Decide on your "When"
I actually started planning on this being a winter get away, but it took me into early Spring. My "when" was affected by tourist season. I knew it would cost less and be much quieter in the off season. I also picked a quiet weekend to be away from family .. no commitments. What is a good time for you? How long do you need? A day, a weekend, a couple of hours? Even a mini retreat can do wonders if designed well.
Step Five: Choose your "What" and your "Won't"
I thought very hard before I left, about what I wanted to do on my retreat. I wanted silence, nature, nourishing food, and time for creativity. I also knew what I wanted to avoid …things that would suck up my time: web browsing that was not specific research, television, top 40 radio, talk radio, too much contact with the outside world. It was so empowering to set these ahead of time and so much easier to fend off distractions if I went astray.
Step Six: Pack your "Tools" 
Keep it simple. I knew that I had a vision of my comfort and packed comfy clothes for lounging, my big terry cloth robe, layers for outside, colored pencils, post-its, markers, and journals for creating, my lap top for posting blogs and research, poetry books, prayer beads, and note cards for inspiration.
There were also things I knew I did not need to bring: dressy clothes, uncomfortable but fashionable shoes, too many books, etc.
Your materials should meet your purpose. Don't bring too much. Sometimes less is more.
Thinking ahead and following these steps will help you to focus on what's important to you, and alleviate some of the overwhelm we feel when we put such emphasis on the occasion. Don't forget to leave some room for impulse and adventure if it fits your purpose. Best wishes!
MTA Summer Conference 2010
Wednesday, August 11th, 2010Just finished my presentation to 20 amazing educators at the MTA Summer Conference 2010 here in WIlliamstown, MA. I wish I could put into words how energized and blessed I feel after working with such an amazing group of educators. I love what I do!
We were able to use our time together to really get into examining what are our top teacher stressors and what do we need to do to set ourselves on a path to wellness and balance. I was pleased by not only the quantity but also the quality of the actions steps that were created from this group in such a short time.
I love this venue because the group is always diverse, positive, and supportive of each other. It reminds me of why I am doing what I do. Thanks to each of the participants for sharing 3 hours of your busy schedule with me. I love being able to hear your experiences and see the sparks as you join me on the journey to balance before burnout!
Williamstown here I come!
Monday, August 9th, 2010
Tomorrow morning I make the pilgrimage with many other Massachusetts teachers to WiIlliamstown, MA for my second year at The Massachusetts Teachers Association Summer conference 2010 being held at
I am excited to be presenting Balance Before Burnout: Make a plan to beat stress which is the course that explains the basics in regards to teacher stress and the Balance Reserves that are truly the backbone of The Whole Teacher.
After attending last year I am looking forward to meeting more fellow educators that amaze me with their professionalism and passion. I loved connecting with people from across
But most of all I am looking forward to a piece of quiet alone in my dorm room where I will have some free time to continue working on some exciting changes coming to The Whole Teacher. I have a big vision for The Whole Teacher and the pieces are definitely coming together. I promise that when I return I will be sharing some more details on what's to come and what it means for you.
I will be blogging from the conference so keep an eye out tomorrow and see what tips I have picked up throughout the day. Who knows? Maybe I'll even film the next video edition of The Whole Teacher TV from the
The “weekend” we call summer vacation.
Wednesday, July 28th, 2010
The rhythm of the weekend, with its birth, its planned gaieties, and its announced end, followed the rhythm of life and was a substitute for it. ~
I was out at the beach spending a few hours in the glorious sunshine with a friend from school today when she introduced me to a family friend who also is a teacher. When asked about how her summer vacation was going she took that common deep breath, and replied with how summer was like the weekend.
She went on to explain how June is like Friday, July is like Saturday and August is so Sunday. This was perfect!
In June we are finishing our school year and excited for the possibilities the "weekend" has to offer. We are often exhausted from a long and tiring"work week", but feel we must start the "weekend"off with a bang.
This takes us into July, the Saturday of summer. We have trouble getting anything done first thing. We are happy to laze around and follow our own inner time clock. Some of us are up with the sun, using every waking moment to get things done, while others like to sleep late, lounge around, and refresh. Monday seems so far away until August sneaks up on us.
August is the Sunday of summer vacation. We remember what we planned on getting done and make preparations for the coming "work week". There is often a bit of sadness and often denial that comes as the "day" progresses,that is mixed with the excitement of the potential of a fresh start.
How do we use this "Sunday" to prepare for the coming school year?
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If you've been working or just very busy during your summer, be sure to use some time for a day of rest. Our quiet time alone helps us to hear what our inner self needs. It is also a great way to spark our creativity as we get ready to plan.
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Clear some space for the new. If July was all about the fun, now is the time to do a little work on clearing out the old that wasn't serving your purpose. This might mean physically clearing out the old papers, old books or junk. It might also mean clearing out duties that consume your time, but don't match you values or vision. And it also might mean taking care of the little things that have been bugging you, like a leaky faucet, a messy trunk, or a broken drawer. Little things like these zap our energy.
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Sundays are the time to look at the week ahead and iron our clothes, pack our lunches, etc. In August it's time to make sure we have what we need to begin the year successfully. Stock up on supplies, write out new habits you'd like to start, and organize your supplies, clothing, and daily resources so the new routine runs smoothly.
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Breathe. If the end of summer is a difficult transition for you, please try to remember that while we can't control everything, we can do a great deal to create the autumn of your dreams. What can you do to add pleasure to your fall routine. Where can you set boundaries and find more time for you? Take control and be a life creator! Don't let the rest of the world decide your life for you.
Summer suffering?!? No way!
Friday, July 9th, 2010
Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it. ~Russel Baker
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Go slow. Take this time to move slower on purpose. Find one thing and really focus on it.
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Re-energize. Now is the time for naps and self-care. Take time to recuperate from the harried end-of-the-year schedule.
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Take the time to smell the flowers. Summer in New England is very different from our gray February and Marches. Appreciate the now!
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Be a kid. What did summer vacation mean to you when you were 10? Find your inner child and have some fun. Ice cream melting down your arm? Jumping salty waves? Soaking in the sprinkler? Whatever it is, find some time to fit it in.
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Enjoy the now!
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