Category: Mindful Mondays

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Mindful Monday: Did You Know?

Thought:

As much as kids enjoy breaks from school, breaks of this magnitude can definitely impact their internal rhythm and impact their mood. Consider this when you witness changes to behaviors. Prioritize healthy emotional modeling and responses over rigid scheduling. This will be most beneficial in the long run.

Tip:

Take advantage of opportunities to build altruism! There are many ways to create intentional compassionate connection with others, even during this season. Choose a few from the ideas above and brighten the world around us!

Thanks:

To those who continue to be present with yourself and in your relationships with others, know that, with every meaningful connection, you are making the world a better place. It can be difficult to maintain mindfulness when life is pulling us in multiple directions, being in the RIGHT NOW brings balance, health and intimate connection needed to live abundantly

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Mindful Monday: I Hear You

Mindful Mondays

Thought:

During this season, remember to LISTEN. To intentionally hear the thoughts and feelings of those around us allows us to be present and supportive. Together, we can find healing and peace.

Tip:

Thanks:

March is Social Work Month! Thank your mental health professionals, especially those who are on the front lines, working hard to help those with emotional challenges find comfort during this difficult season. We salute you!
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Mindful Monday: Mental Health Check-In

Thought:

Check-in with ourselves. How are we feeling? Do we need support? Who are our “people”, those who support and encourage us? Let’s take a Mindful Minute to focus on our hearts. What color is it this morning?

Tip:

Why is it so important to be able to distinguish between the things we can control and what we cannot? Perhaps, knowing the difference can appropriately align our focus. Trying to police the behaviors of others is an exhausting, futile attempt at control. And, for all of our efforts, we would certainly be unsuccessful. So, instead of fighting for the illusion of control, we could focus on those things within our influence and make healthy decisions related to that. Which leads to the next question: how can we optimize the things we can control? All of the things in the circle center on this: intentionality. Instead of flailing from one end of the emotional spectrum to the other (which could CERTAINLY happen if you are trying to find toilet paper right now!), we can zone into the present, fixing our gaze on what we can effectively do RIGHT NOW to maintain mindfulness and balance. Remember, when it all comes down to it, mindful self-control is, and will always be, our saving grace.

Thanks:

You are truly ‘essential’ and we are forever grateful for your intensely hard work! We will honor you by staying out of your way so that you can continue to do your job safely and effectively.

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Mindful Monday: Not Cancelled

Thought:

In this season of uncertainty, chaos, and stress, it is easy to focus on what is going wrong in our world. However, mindfulness allows us to redirect our attention to what is important. Let us cherish the things that money can’t buy – hope.

Tip:

Looking for ways to fill your kids’ time while waiting out the school restriction? Consider the importance of schedule! This is a great example of a balanced schedule of activity, play and learning but, feel free to come up with your own! If you have already done so, we would love to hear about it!

Thanks:

Educators and staff, we survived a full moon, Friday the 13th AND a national emergency that effectively closed our school down for a month! So, pat yourself on the back and take advantage of the time off. You deserve it!

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Mindful Monday: Ocean in a Drop

Thought:

Recognize your worth. Understand that you are where you are for a reason. Live into your purpose unapologetically. The universe will thank you.

Tip:

“When little people are overwhelmed by big emotions, it’s our job to share our calm, not join their chaos.”
― L.R. Knost

Thanks:

In the continual celebration of International Women’s Day, let us cheer on the amazing women in our lives, honor their efforts to make the world around them a better place. Give them a call, send a text, and let them know how awesome you think they are!

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Mindful Monday: Take the Time to be Kind

Thought:

One of the things I love about this Bingo card is that it allows us many opportunities to show kindness to others. Things that we all can do, from the youngest kid to our grandparents. Accept the challenge to BE KIND.

Tip:

This Mindful Minute video is a wonderful mini-break that allows us the opportunity to reset. This is one of the many ways we can receive mindful guidance throughout the day.

Thanks:

March is Social Work Month. Take the time to show gratitude to the social workers in your life. Encourage them and remind them that they bring value to the community, both intimately and globally.

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Mindful Monday: Mindfulness in the Classroom

Thought:

Check out this 5-minute video that explores how young people benefit from mindful exercises and the impact of those moments on their mood, behavior and focus.

Tip:

This FREE training is available for all private, public, charter and homeschooling educators, support staff, and administration from today until May 5, 2020. Developed by Professional Learning and Leading Collaborative with Friday Institute, this course helps build foundational Social and emotional learning that can be used to enhance classroom engagement and management. Check it out!

Thanks:

To all who intentionally make it their mission to provide safe and engaging learning environments for our kids, thank you. Thank you for staying true to the calling of educator and being a part of our kids’ success!

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Mindful Monday: Let your Light Shine

Thought:

Mindfulness shines bright because it is unhindered by the clutter of life. We are able to live life abundantly when we harness the ability to live in the NOW.

Tip:

OSCAR WINNER! This is a wonderful short film that explores the black girl struggle to embrace her hair, an integral part of who she is. It also processes what support and encouragement do to a person’s sense of self. This film is an amazing way to talk to our kids about what makes them unique and foster self confidence!

Thanks:

Kudos to Ms. Brenda Andrus, who was recently name recently nominated for the Remarkable Woman of Acadiana award for her tireless efforts to care of her community. “From cooking meals in her own kitchen for seniors to serving in six organizations, including the Martin Luther King celebration committee, Andrus is all about community. ” We so appreciate amazing women like her!

News link here: https://www.klfy.com/remarkable-women/klfys-remarkable-woman-nominee-brenda-andrus/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_KLFY_News_10

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Mindful Monday: Soothing Away Stress

Thought:

Tip:

” If you think you’re tired after a day of teaching, you should try being a 4th grader. I recently spent a day shadowing a 4th-grade student at the school where I teach. I went home with a migraine, a backache, and a hangover of fear and humiliation. ” This is a thought-provoking post from a teacher of one of New Orlean’s charter schools, exploring the experience that she had while shadowing a 4th-grade student. It raises the questions: What are some of the challenges our kids face during a school day? And, do we contribute to its resolve or escalation when they return home? Finally, how can we emotionally and mentally prepare our children for the school day?

Thanks:

Often times, it is the small things that bring us joy and foster gratitude. This Saturday, I had the BEST impromptu nap. In the middle of the day. While the kids were home and awake. How did I pull it off, you ask? Because my super awesome husband knew that I had a hellish week and took care of them while I slept. Do you have someone in your life who is there for you when you feel like you can’t take another step? If so, shower them with love and let them know how valuable they are to you!

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Mindful Monday: Wisdom from Bryant and Brown

Mindful Mondays

Thoughts:

Tip:

Thanks:

Thank you, Kobe Bryant, for modeling how to pursue your dreams with an elevated level of preparation, persistence, and drive. However, your many MANY accomplishments on the court only represent one of the reasons why you are one of the greatest of all-time to those who love you. Your role as a father and role model for people of all ages is a huge part of our remembrance today. Your life’s work was more than basketball; it included your ability to stand in the gap with your money and time to care for those who did not have the means to access resources vital to their success. From Cathy’s Kids Foundation to After School All-Stars and the Kobe and Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, you cared about the important things – youth in need and their families. May we live inspired by you. May we also care about the important things. May we make the most of our days as educators, pediatric professionals, and parents and strive to use our gifts, time and ability to contribute to a child’s success. Fly with the angels, Kobe and Gigi.