Taking a Stand

In honoring Martin Luther King, my class decided to brainstorm key topics that mattered to them.  We discussed them and then they took a "STAND" on that topic by writing a poem.  We created signs and artwork that represented ourselves to show off what we truly believe in.  Check out the finished products!

I was telling the students that being a leader doesn't necessarily mean giving speeches to a large crowd.  You can be a leader at the lunch table by helping make sure the table is cleaned up from the messes.  You can be a leader on the playground by making sure everyone is included.  You can be a leader in the classroom by role modeling what good listening looks like.  You can be a leader by encouraging everyone to recycle.  

The best leaders are the ones who take a "STAND" on what matters most to them.  By doing so, you already have drive and passion for that topic/issue that leading is easier.  I encourage everyone in this world to be more passionate about what truly matters to them and then ...TAKE A STAND on it.  

Word of the Year

Happy New Year!  

Every year, I pick a new word to help represent my goal(s) for the year.  

This year, my word is MINDFUL. 

 Why mindful?  

Using mindfulness practices, can help my ability to my regulate emotions, focus on what is truly important, and help decrease my stress/anxiety.  Specific practices have also been known to help with   being objective, enhancing the ability to be more flexible, improve a person's concentration and mental focus and clarity.  

Not only that, being mindful can also help me bring my attention to the here and now... the present.  So often, we are thinking about what we are going to do next, when in reality we need to focus on the present because that is life.  It's goes with the quote-

Really, you Nichole using Mindfulness?

For those of you who know me, I am a type A personality.  I like to keep busy (some call me the energizer bunny) and I am very goal oriented.  So picking mindful as my word is going to be a challenge but no one grows from doing the same thing each day.  As I live this life, I want to become the best version of me.  For that, I need to step out of where I am most comfortable and try something hard and new.   So, here it goes!

How am I planning to use Mindfulness in my life?

One way is by using basic meditation.  My daily goal is to spend the first 5 minutes upon waking meditating.  I plan to sit or lay quietly and focus on my natural breathing.  While breathing, I will repeat a word or "mantra" silently to myself.  This will allow my thoughts/stresses/feelings to come and go without judgment.  I will make my word/mantra be the focus.  I am hoping that starting the day by centering myself will help bring calm and peace to the start of the day.

I am going to give it a try!  

More to come on how it goes and how else I am bringing mindfulness into my daily life.