The Teacher Refuge

I am looking forward to talking about self awareness + The Enneagram at this self care day (Saturday, December 5) that is specifically for teachers who are needing some time and resources to refuel after a LONG year of both virtual and in person and upside down school. Spread the word to any teachers you know who may want to join us. There will be a lot of sessions offered from yoga to nutrition to mental health. Check out the details and sign up for this FREE day that is created just for you.

Teachers,

When you've reached the end of your capacity for creativity, remember that who you are is still magnificently unique.

When it seems that there is nothing left to try, know that you have tried your best.

When your every idea has seemingly failed, remind yourself that your worth is not in what you do.

When you have hit a wall, rest.

You are smart and capable yet also vulnerable and fragile. Let yourself off of the hook and let your mind think about things that have eternal weight rather than short term stress.

You are allowed to stop, and you are allowed to be human. Humans have limits. You are held and known by One who never sleeps and whose thoughts are higher than yours. Let yourself lean on that Strength that enfolds you and the grace that surrounds you, even when you experience your own limitations.

You are loved, and held, and seen, and heard.

Yesterday's podcast episode was a reminder to you that you are worth the time, energy, and focus is takes to tend to yourself in soul-nourishing ways. It's easy to use distractions to numb out rather than caring for yourself in a deeper sense. There's always room for self-care and "Treat yo' self", but you are worth the energy it takes to process and feel and actually tend to your pains, griefs, anxieties, hopes, and emotions rather than pushing them aside. Teachers, we see you doing your very best to keep your head above water. Please remember that your worth is not tied to your performance and that you are worthy of stopping and letting yourself breathe.

Teachers, I'd love to hear from you! What is one thing that makes you feel supported in life? Can you think of a specific example of something someone has done for you that left you feeling fully heard and seen?

I'd love to know your answers.

Teachers,

A reminder for you from yesterday's episode of The Teacher Refuge Podcast...

"No one else has your same story. Every moment that has led you here matters.

Your hard is hard.
Your loss is loss.
Your joy is joy.
Your stress is stress.
Your peace is peace.

As you spend your time and energy entering into so many other stories, just remember that yours matters too.

May the reminder that you matter bolster your heart to continue on.

May the journey you're on be full of signposts pointing to the fact that you are held and loved and not alone.

Your story and your journey matter just as much as everyone else's. May you extend the same grace to yourself that you give so freely to those around you.

Your story has an eternal purpose, and you are not meant to ignore it."

New episode is out! Go ahead and take note that I know the audio quality is not great. I was tired of re-recording so I decided to ROLL WITH IT. Come listen to a few reminders about the fact that YOUR story matters.

I have been following along with and learning from Austin Channing Brown for a couple of years now, and she has been such a helpful guide in my continued learning about the black experience in America. If you have not read her book (I'm Still Here: Black Dignity in a World Made for Whiteness), get it now! (This rec is especially directed to my white teacher friends.) Her willingness to be this honest and vulnerable is a gift to us. The way that she invites us in to some of her most tender and heartbreaking moments is not to be taken lightly. Read it and also continue to listen to the voices of those who have experiences different from your own. White friends, our willingness to listen without doubting or "what about-ing" all over someone else's life experience is part of the way forward.

The weight of our world is heavy today. I have a feeling you may be hearing that LOUD AND CLEAR. People continue to be deeply affected by all of the many facets of Covid- 19, schools' and families' lives have been upended and revamped, our black brothers and sisters are hurting in deep and residual ways that I can't fully understand, there have been so many missed occasions and anticipated events and heart wrenching losses on and on and on. The grief just keeps on coming, and each one feels weightier than the last.

Yet, we have hope.

Hope is not a glossing over or a tuning out or a strategy to just "get over it". Hope is a determination to take the next step and a looking forward to what will be. Hope is not a "head in the sand" neglect of actually dealing with what's going on. Hope is looking at the grief and knowing that even so, we will still make it. We can keep going.

Where are you finding even the smallest glimpse of hope or token of grace, even on this day? What is reminding you that you are not alone...that you are held and loved and seen? Look up and around. We can handle the grief and the hope at the same time.

Hang in there.

When you feel pulled in so many directions that you might actually break into pieces, may your heart remember that you are more than your job. You are a whole person, despite the fragmentation that feels so real to you right now.

All of your gifts, talents, thoughts, feelings, needs, obligations, and hurts matter, even when no one around you is telling you that out loud.

When you feel picked apart, remember that you are fully seen for who you are and wholly loved for being you.

May your wholeness be a comfort to you and to others who see you up close. May the many voices calling you in every possible direction be quieted for now so that you can breathe and be reminded that you are more than what you do.

If you have ever felt like all that matters is how you perform your job, then come and be reminded that you are more than just a teacher! Episode 1 of the Teacher Refuge Podcast talks about just that. Please feel free to share with your teacher friends...no doubt they could use a bit of encouragement and refuge today!

Episode 1- You are a Whole Person by The Teacher Refuge • A podcast on Anchor In this episode, Anna talks about some ways that you can be reminded of who are you even in the midst of circumstances you cannot change or an environment that you cannot control. Come find a moment of refuge and renewal!