Essential E

Blog Love

2011-02-07T08:16:00.000-05:00

How cool that I log into my google reader this weekend and one of my fav local reads has posted a project from my classroom as a plug for supporting Donors Choose?! I was so thrilled, and of course logged on right away to leave a comment, and then posted a plug on my classroom web page to let all my parents know. Super exciting stuff! Send love out, and it will come back to you! -e

Dirty Diana

2011-01-20T09:10:00.001-05:00

For some reason, Dirty Diana has been rocking through my brain all morning; do think it was Diana Ross that Michael was singing about?

What if he had sung a song about Mr. T? What do you think it would have been titled?

I guess we should be grateful we got Thriller instead!

Hope your day is just dirty enough!

Let thy Music be Thy Medicine....

2011-01-15T13:04:00.000-05:00

I was reading over here this morning, and this quote in particular stood out, (not to mention her gorgeous photo of sweet beets.)

However, the more I thought about it, for me, this is just not true. My medicine is and always has been music. When I am happy, my music is loud and upbeat- windows down and proclaiming to the neighbors or cars around me as the wind makes my big hair even bigger. When I am sad, I want to wallow in it, burrowing into a mix of melancholy melodies, bringing myself to the tears I need as I listen to the same soulful cries again and again. When I am angry, I have always found respite in the passion and fervor of equally angry crooner.

So when I got an iTunes gift card for Christmas from one of my students, I was thrilled to look for some new jams. Florence and The Machine has been on repeat for quite some time, so I really need something new. Here is what is rocking my world today.

I am super excited about Adele's new album, 21.

I also have been loving this song by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals- love it.

Let the Sun Shine Down

2011-01-13T18:26:00.000-05:00

I'm aching for summer lately- desperate for it in a way that I probably always am by January, but it's an ache that feels especially hungry right now. I am looking at houses for our summer vacation in Ocracoke, and listening to previous summer vacation road mixes. Today, this song was on repeat in my classroom, which thank goodness, my kids always deal with really well. It brought me some peace...

Sunshine Song by Jason Mraz

Well sometimes the sun shines on
Other people's houses and not mine.
Some days the clouds paint the sky all gray
And it takes away my summertime.
Somehow the sun keeps shining upon you,
While I struggle to get mine.
If there's a light in everybody,
Send out your ray of sunshine.

I want to walk the same roads as everybody else,
Through the trees and past the gates.
Getting high on heavenly breezes,
Making new friends along the way.
I won't ask much of nobody,
I'm just here to sing along.
And make my mistakes looks gracious,
And learn some lessons from my wrongs.

Oh, if this little light of mine
Combined with yours today,
How many watts could we luminate?
How many villages could we save?
And my umbrella's tired of the weather,
Wearing me down.

Well, look at me now.

You should look as good as your outlook,
Would you mind if I took some time,
to soak up your light, your beautiful light?
You've got a paradise inside.
I get hungry for love and thirsty for life,
And much too full on the pain,
When I look to the sky to help me
And sometimes it looks like rain.

You're undeniably warm, you're cerulean,
You're perfect in desire.
Won't you hang around
so the sun, it can shine on me,
And the clouds they can roll away,
And the sky can become a possibility?
If there's a light in everybody,
Send out your ray of sunshine.

Loving my Baby Boston

2011-01-11T14:27:00.000-05:00

I usually can't stand a snow day- I know that I'm going to have to make it up in the end. However, this weekend wore me out emotionally and otherwise. I spend almost eight hours in the back seat of a sedan on Sunday, only to get home about two hours past my usual bed time. So today's snow day was much appreciated. I've been grading papers snuggled on the couch with Olive, my love. I'll be back to school tomorrow with pleasure, but I needed this day of rest. I did take a quick minute to look online at art with Bostons in it.

Check out this classic photo!

Beautiful Words

2011-01-08T18:07:00.001-05:00

I'm currently loving The Wheatfield by Katie Daisy. Here are just a few of my favorite pieces.I think that they are just gorgeous!

wisdom

2011-01-06T12:22:00.001-05:00

I'm going to see my sister this weekend. She's having a hard time and making some tough choices that I really hope she sticks with. We're all really struggling with it, and I'm having a harder time this go round that I have before. I just keep thinking, if I had the right words, maybe it would make a difference.... I know in my head and heart that this just isn't true. Here are a few things I'm hoping she takes to heart though:

Let go of the outcome.

2011-01-05T13:13:00.000-05:00

Mondo Beyondo is offering two fantastic courses this January--their master class Mondo Beyondo along with Dream Lab which they will be hosting along with Brene Brown, the author of The Gifts of Imperfection and the now viral TEDx talk about vulnerability.

In fact, they are offering $15 off for a limited time only on both of these courses. Just enter "103B38A4" in the discount code section of your sign up sheet.

The Mondo Beyondo class is for starting the new year with a sense of power and possibility about the life you can create. "This six week course is the best medicine if you want to understand the mindset and hands-on practices that put dreams in motion. Allow us to immerse you in the perspective that the Universe is conspiring to shower you with blessings. You really can trust yourself and your intuition more than you think." Class starts on January 11. (Enter coupon code "dreambig" on your paypal shopping cart for you discount!

The Dream Lab class is if you want to get out of your own way and embrace the beauty of who you are right here, right now. "Join us for this highly engaging eight week session while we read-a-long with Brene and cultivate the willingness and ability to love ourselves and our stories with all their marvelous light and darkness. Designed to help you practice what you explore your authentic self in a supportive environment, Dream Lab is the perfect course for students looking to create more space for courage, connection and radical self-acceptance." Class starts January 10. You can buy The Gifts of Imperfection here and enter the coupon code "103B38A4" when you register for class to get your discount!

While I really wish I could afford to take part in one of these courses right now, I just can't. However, I did really enjoy the Brene Brown Ted Talk about vulnerability and thought you might too!

"Show up fully,

Pay Attention,

Let go of the outcome."

-Diane Israel

The Meaning Beneath the Meaning

2011-01-03T18:52:00.003-05:00

"In order to fully live our spiritual path, we cannot leave out any part of ourselves or our experience; every single part of who we are and what we do has to be included. It is in recognizing the mystic we always were rather than in mimicking the pious practices of our faith that we discover the meaning beneath the meaning that has always been calling us." What causes you to be aware of the meaning beneath the meaning? Begin to incorporate your own innate spiritual responses into your daily practice.

From yesterday's meditation in my favorite quiet time book.

This has been a bizarre winter break. I'm ready to get back into a routine of some sort, but honestly not quite ready to go back.... I've enjoyed so much this time with Sean and Olive, lazy days lounging around, scouring antique shops and little odd stores here and there. Long runs in the cold, hours catching up on Big Love, time spent talking with friends, reading and painting away my heartache~ it's all been quite simple and needed. This morning I was very tempted to crawl into a cubby much like this little girl. It was all I could do to drag myself out of bed at 5:30 this morning and go running! Once I was moving, things were all good, but it was a rough wake up call!

I've spent a great deal of time over this break thinking about the past, present and future, looking for meaning beneath meaning. What do they hold for me? Where have they brought me and what have I accomplished?

Sean and I celebrate our 8th anniversary tomorrow. He is truly my soul mate, he knows me through and through and we have grown so much with each other over these years. At the same time, I learn more about him each day, he still makes me laugh and I look so desperately forward to seeing where we will challenge each other to grow in the years to come. I know that this year will bring all things new and yet bring me that much closer to the man I am already so familiar with.

I have reached a point of frustration at work. I'm almost ready for something new... what that new challenge is, I don't know, but I see more and more that I will not be able to be a classroom teacher for 60 years like some people do. I have always known that I would not be a career classroom teacher. I work steadily to challenge myself, changing grade levels and teams, working on new certifications and programs. I don't ever want to be stagnate~ but I am seeing too that while this work ethic is absolutely the best thing for my students, it may not be the best thing for my health or family. I extend myself to the absolute fullest, taking on tasks and challenges to the point of exhaustion and frustration sometimes in my home. I've worked very hard this year to say no to things that would add frustration and bitterness to my teaching heart. But I see myself going in a new direction in the next several years. I'm trying hard to focus my vision and see what will be best for myself and my family.... I need to see exactly to what next branch I will fly.

I am coming into this new year with open eyes, open mind and open heart. I wish the same for you. -e

Making a Mess

2010-12-29T14:47:00.000-05:00

My Christmas season has been a messy one... filled with turmoil of all kinds- the family variety mostly. I've sat down to write about it about ten times at least, but nothing would really come out. Instead, it had me making my own messes, of the paint and glue kind. Here's what I'm working on as my own little therapeutic outlet. It's most definitely a work in progress- a bare-bones sort of base as I'll go back and add in the real meat- my soul in words...

This I Believe

2010-11-23T16:37:00.003-05:00

Inspired??

2010-11-05T07:53:00.001-04:00

searching here.... where do you look?

The witching hour is upon us....

2010-10-31T18:42:00.000-04:00

Peace

2010-10-26T21:22:00.001-04:00

Deep within the still centre of my being may I find peace.
Silently within the quiet of the Grove may we share peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind may we radiate peace.

Today I have been repeating this prayer for peace, written by druid Cairistiona Worthington.

Ordinary Things

2010-10-23T11:32:00.000-04:00

There are three slender things that support the world: the slender stream of cow's milk into a pail; the slender blade of green corn in the ground; the slender thread running over the hands of a skilled woman.

-Ancient Irish Triad

What three ordinary things are the supporters of your life? What makes your own personal triad?

As I thought over this meditation, my mind focused on supports that are material, emotional, spiritual and purely physical. Choose just three?

Of course, the first thing that comes to mind is Sean- who quite honestly satisfies all of those types of needs in my life. He is the first and most constant of my slender legs...

And speaking of slender legs... running and fitness must be the second leg of my triad. Though I have certainly not been active in my gym the way I used to ~ and I miss my weights! ~ I really have been steadily running each morning- about 4 miles.

Even now that it's getting cold! I am a HUGE whiny baby when it gets cold outside. However, I'd really like to keep it up, and I think that I can absolutely do it with the right gear.

My last slender leg is the smiles of other peoples children. I have to say that I have come more and more to realize that my job is my gift, my ministry; teaching is what I am truly meant to do. I love it, I am good at it. I adore the laughter and the exchange, the adoration and the sweet notes.... I love the tears and the heartbreak, the ups and downs. They are all a part of it. They make all the other crappy parts of my job worth it...

Olive's 1st 24 Hours

2010-10-21T17:11:00.001-04:00

Sweetness.... a chill ride home, a stress free sleep, and a very calm visit to the vet... we've gotten the perfect puppy!

A New Addition

2010-10-18T21:17:00.001-04:00

So for now, this little girl is going to have to do.... meet Olive. We're picking her up on Wednesday!

Renewing Spiral of Life

2010-10-03T09:00:00.001-04:00

From my amazing quiet time book: The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditation for the Turning Year

"It is one of their tenets that nothing perishes, but, as the sun and the year, is renewed and refreshed in its revolution." -Robert Kirk, The Secret Commonwealth

With our modern, goal-centered, destination-seeking perspective, we have forgotten this concept of the renewing spiral of life. We pay attention to the end, to the certificate of achievement, to the self-congratulation of conclusion, when we should be more involved in our own spiraling progress through life. Each year, on our own spiral path, things change and yet remain unchanging, freshly and eternally rediscovered, a delight to our senses, powerful enough to move our soul. This unchanging renewal is chanted by mystics all over the world who declare that "there is nothing new under the heavens."

Yet, these eternal things do not feel stale or repetitive to us when we experience them. They are rediscovered in moments when we have been exiled from or have neglected their savor and wonder: the unstained clarity of a new day, the urgent grasp of sexual need and its assuaging, the laughter of our child, which stays the same whatever age he reaches. All these things are ever new and always the same; time and perspective alone have renewed them for us.

*What is old and always new, what is deep and always true for you this day?

This meditation from yesterday morning has really had me thinking for the last twenty-four hours about all that has changed in my life in this last turn of the seasons. I am truly in such a different place mentally, physically, emotionally- really I feel like a different person in a lot of ways. Last year I was gearing myself up for an intense year of National Boards, this year, I'm preparing for score release and what that will mean, no matter what. While I am nervous, I'm ready.

Last year, we were so happy with our precious house on Hillside, now we have bought and renovated the new house and are still working on projects here and there on the weekends while absolutely adoring the new neighborhood. We ride our bikes everywhere, we have wonderful friends here already and we are making some really good new ones. Last night we say for a couple hours on the front porch of the sweet couple across the street with a glass of wine and just talked and laughed. We would never have done anything like that in our old neighborhood, we just had no one to do it with.

Last year, starting a family was honestly the furthest thing from my mind, this year I think pretty steadily about puppies and babies. Something about this home has me ready. The whole time that we remodeled and renovated I pictured future children running through these halls and rooms, future game nights and tents made out of chairs and sheets, family camp-outs in the back yard, Saturday mornings with little ones piled into our bed watching tv together. Something has clicked and I am ready. Where do you go with that? Especially when you have put all of your savings into getting the house ready? Or when he is not quite there yet? Something in me is definitely unfurling and opening... have to just throw it out to the universe.

There is a plan at work, I know this to be true. I just have to hold on to faith that all is working as it should be.

So how about you? Think on this today:

What is old and always new, what is deep and always true for you this day?

My Current Absolute Favorite

2010-09-20T16:34:00.003-04:00

Good is the Flesh that the Word has Become

2010-08-02T09:59:00.005-04:00

Good is the flesh that the Word has become,

good is the birthing, the milk in the breast,

good is the feeding, caressing and rest,

good is the body for knowing the world,

Good is the flesh that the Word has become.

Good is the body for knowing the world,

sensing the sunlight, th etug of the ground,

feeling, perceiving, within and around,

good is the body, from cradle to grave,

Good is the flesh that Word has become.

Good is the body from cradle to grave,

gorwing and ageing, arousing, impaired,

happy in clothing or lovingly bared,

good is the pleasure of God in our flesh.

Good is the flesh that the Word has become.

Good is the pleasure of God in our flesh,

longing in all, as in Jesus, to dwell,

glad of embracing, and tasting and smell,

good is the body, for good and for God,

Good is the flesh that the word has become.

-Brian Wren

Circle Me

2010-07-16T05:58:00.003-04:00

Circle me, Lord.
Keep protection near
And danger afar.
Circle me, Lord
Keep hope within.
Keep doubt without.

Circle me, Lord.
Keep light near
And darkness afar.

Circle me, Lord.
Keep peace within.
Keep evil out.

david adam

You Are

2010-07-15T20:45:00.002-04:00

You are the peace of all things calm
You are the place to hide from harm
You are the light that shines in dark
You are the heart's eternal spark
You are the door that's open wide
You are the guest who waits inside
You are the stranger at the door
You are the calling of the poor
You are my Lord and with me still
You are my love, keep me from ill
You are the light, the truth, the way
You are my Saviour this very day.

celtic oral tradition - 1st millennium

These Kids...

2010-06-12T08:39:00.004-04:00

...are my heart. And I've fallen in love. Now is the time of year when I have to start the process of saying goodbye. It's so hard.

Maybe I don't have to this time? We shall see.... Thoughts consuming my heart and mind, I don't have any options, it's a wait and see game.... I think I win either way though. -e

Nurture Your Mind with Great Thoughts

2010-06-08T08:35:00.004-04:00

I have a little rock on my desk that says that, and I sit each morning in my classroom in the dark with just a small lamp on & have my little inspiration time- just enough to get me going in the right frame of mind. I can certainly tell the days that I skip it. Today, these quotes were at the forefront of my motivation- keeping me centered and together.

What quotes are your wisdom words today?

Today is

2010-06-07T17:15:00.001-04:00

my day. The only day I have right now. I am seeking to make it joyful and to fill it with peace and laughter. I am steadily trying to eek the "normal" back into my life.

reading

exercise

movies

Jen is filling me back up lately. I am so glad that she has made a herself visible again on my google reader, though I always make the jump to read it on her actual blog instead. That way I can see her gorgeous artwork- simple clean lines of inspiration. This is hers: