Monday, May 27, 2013

5 Days after Day 80: 10 Things I Want My Sixth Grade Students To Know (And You)

1.  I care about only 1 thing.  It's not whether or not you get an A on the next quiz.  In my 15 years as an educator, I know that if you fail a quiz today, you'll eventually get the concept later.  The light bulb may go off in a subtle, small moment where no one is grading you, but you will know and no one will be able to take it away from you.
What I care about is if are you allowing your excellence or not.
Every time I push you for more, ask you to step outside, or write a note home I am simply trying to get more excellence out of you.
Clarification:  Excellence is not perfection.
Suggestion:  Get comfortable being excellent.
Warning:  It might be uncomfortable at first.

2.  There is no creativity without failure (Thank you Bene Brown).  Yes, failure is just part of the journey not a label that gets stuck to you forever.  So do yourself a favor, when you fail, learn the lesson and move on.  Obsessing about failure just creates more failure.

3.  Who you are to others is more important to you than to others.  In other words, people want YOU not what you think they want you to be.  Yes, you will impact people.  But you can't do things based on what other people's opinion.  You have to start with you.  Be who you are and that wonderful person will make a big difference to your circle and even the world.

4.  Playing is the MOST important.  Bill Gates was just messing around with computers when we was in high school.  It was fun for him.  Play is the gateway to greatness.

5.  The outside world is not as powerful as you think.  In the classroom, I would say no one has the power to get you into trouble.  YOU always have the power.  As a teacher, I don't even mind giving you a consequence because I get to show you how powerful you are.  When you leave the classroom, you will realize that your main teacher has always been LIFE and it, too, always wants to show you how powerful you are.

6.  Anything that feels icky is you off track.  That's right, those guts of yours can serve you well.  Something seem off?  Listen to it.  You are probably right.  I'm not just talking about your safety.  This includes when you feel bad about yourself.  Do you feel bad when you tell yourself that you're not smart enough?  Good!  Your bad feelings are life's way of telling you that you are not thinking truthfully.

7.  Right now is more important than the past or future.

8.  YOU, YES YOU, HAVE A GIFT!  All YOU have to do is DECIDE to give it.

9.  As Florence Scovel Shinn says, "Words are wands."  Yes, how you speak about yourself, your life, and others will ultimately dictate your life.  Pay attention to what you say.

10.  You have nothing to prove, but you will always have something to learn.


Chapter 3 starts in June.

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 66: Be Mythic

Historical events happen once and are gone forever.  Mythic events return like swans each Spring.

-Ridington

Wednesday, May 1, 2013

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 45:

With God's love, all things transform.

That sentence came to me while I was taking a bath and it's been rocking my world for the last two days :)

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Day 37: Back from a Road Trip

I took a drive up the 101 on Friday.
Dreams.  Had a lot of dreams about going North.  Intuition said go north. 
Went to the city of Paso Robles.  Funny thing is, it wasn't as much about Paso Robles as I thought it would be.
It was about the drive.
The audio that I blasted through my speakers..
The truths that branded my heart and soul.
The words that I yelled as I stepped on the gas pedal.
I visited a friends along the way.  I patted pregnant bellies and squeezed bouncing pre-schoolers.
I followed every hunch that was given to me and it was like a treasure map of truth.
Friends, follow your hunches. 

Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 23: No Art

Today, as I was sitting with one of my 6th grade table groups, we were chatting about typical 6th grade things.  Agenda item number 1 as they worked on art projects was to find an appropriate food nick name for each student in the class.  Samantha was given Hamantha while Ishmam was bestowed the honor the name Cup O’ Noodles because his last name sounds like ramen.  I was to be called Main Course for obvious, bossy reasons.
Then, the subject of the art came up.  As usual, they all started to criticize their pictures.  Adjectives included but were not limited to ugly, bad, and wrong. 
I told the students that they were not allowed to critique their work in that way and that in reality, there is no such thing as bad art.
With that Mandarin Orange (Amanda) added, “So the only bad art is no art.”
Yes Amanda, the only bad art is no art. 
We are here and it is a beautiful thing.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

Thursday, March 21, 2013

Days 12-19: Shopping for Wonder Woman

You guys, I've been in it.  This girl has been consuming books, lectures, and audios like a dog with a tablespoon of peanut butter.  Perhaps I should embrace my curiosity but reading 7 books at a time is starting to seem a little bit like "emotional reading."  I tried to replace my emotional reading issue with emotional shopping.  But unfortunately, the Wonder Woman folder and matching mug didn't make it past check out. 
It got me thinking, "What the hell am I looking for?" (Sing to tune of Whatta you want from me?) I mean, I know that my pursuits are not in vain.  I know that I'm learning and growing.  But once again, I remind myself that this is NOT about collecting heaps of knowledge, wisdom, or Nordstrom points but rather creating space for all that is to come through me (including really great deals at Savvy).
Instead of wondering about my future and how to solve problems, it's time again to immerse myself in the wonder of being this woman. 

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 9 and 10: Meet Panache and Confession

Last night I had the pleasure of running into Panache Desai on TV.  I dig his message big time.  Also, since we're talking about Panache, this is a good time for me to embed a camoflauged confession.  I haven't been following my more stuctured meditation practice.  I know, I know.  Maybe I'm to do something new?  I'll explore that.  For now, back to Panache:

The key to changing the world, to changing your life, and to empowering the world around you is authenticity- the willingness to be yourself- the willingness to be vulnerable- the willingness to feel- the willingness to live.  I'm simply reminding you of who you truly are, supporting you into self-love and acceptance by eradicating the judgement that your've imposed on yourself and society has imposed on you.

http://www.panachedesai.com/

Monday, March 11, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 8: Current of TimeLESS

This weekend, I went to the Getty Museum. 
I can tell you for sure that the Marissa who walked onto the tram was not the same person who exited on Saturday.  YAY ART!
Surrounded by original works art and knowing that the creators of such beauty often went against the current of their time, I realized that “the current of time” is not all that valuable.  However, the current of the timeLESS is where it’s at! 

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 2: Email Exchange

Me:  Today I heard that if you made that chattering voice in your head into an actual person, you wouldn't last a day with them ;)
I thought that was a spiritual funny ;)

C:  My inner voice rarely speaks. and we've agreed that when it does, it better be frickin brilliant.

Monday, March 4, 2013

Chapter 2, Day 1: Another Go

Chapter 2
Day 1

Another Go

This chapter is kinda delicate.  You see, I'm in a place in my life where I want to make some changes (think re-invention Madonna style).  But, for me, making these changes is not about rejecting my current situation but rather about inviting in a new situation. 
I don't know about you, but for me it's super easy to point out all of the sticky parts of my life.  After all, these sticking points probably inspired the desire for change.  Yet, remaining focused on these "stickies" is what ultimately gets me stuck.
So, these 80 days are about keeping the eye the prize and loving the journey, not the stuff that got me to want change in the first place. 

Tuesday, February 19, 2013

10 Days after Day 80: Still a little bit in shock.

10 Days after Day 80:  Still a little bit in shock.

I have to be honest.  I don't know if I have the words to conclude my first chapter of this project.  Toward the end, I wasn't as great about journaling because so much had developed and I didn't know what to make of it.
I do feel wiser, more expanded, stronger, and more connected.  I have to say, however, that it's less about qualities that, I, Marissa am developing.  It's more about getting out of my own way to let these qualities that we all have shine through.  It's all about shedding, shedding, shedding (and vacuuming, vacuuming, vacuuming).  While not immune to bouts of bitchiness, self-doubt, or chewing on shoe, getting back on the swaggin' wagon is easier.
The financial situation that inspired me to "let go and let God" has pretty much resolved itself.  Interestingly enough, the second job that I took this holiday didn't prove to be lucrative for me.  But around day 70, I received a financial gift beyond what my schemes produce.  It was big, it was beautiful, and it made me cry (the ugly kind).
Another unexpected outcome of this 80 day project is a deeper understanding that we are never ever done.  I've always known this, but I KNOW it now.  And, I realize that I'll probably know it even more later :)  That being said, I think that this journey will continue for me. 

Chapter 2 begins March 3.



Thursday, February 7, 2013

Day 78: Still Practicing

Even though I haven't been blogging.  I'm still practicing this.
Despite a few meltdowns, it's working.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Day 51: Hawaiian Mantra

Day 51:  Hawaiian Mantra

A few summers ago, I visited my friend Monique in New York.  While on my trip, I had the opportunity to meet a lady named Aleta St. James.   Now this lady is interesting.  She was once an actress and now she is a healer which is a great cocktail line if you ask me.  However, the most juicy fact about this lady is that back in 2008, homegirl had twins at the age of 57.  Yup, 57. 
At any rate, I was thinking about Aleta today because one of the mantras that she taught me came to mind.  I believe it's a Hawaiin Mantra.

I love you.  I forgive you.  I love you.

Now, when Aleta imparted this wisdom to me, I was a little unimpressed.  In fact, if she had told me to do it in front of a mirror, I would have probably stopped talking to her.  However, I did as I was told and found the mantra suprisingly soothing to my soul. 

So, from Aleta to me and from me to you... SAY IT. 


Monday, January 7, 2013

Day 47: Hot in herrrrre.

Day 47:  Hot in herrrre.

After a holiday writing hiatus, I bring to you a profound, yet simple question from Nelly.

Why you at the bar if you ain't poppin bottles?

Woah Nelly.  That's deep.
 
WHY ARE WE HERE IF WE AIN'T POPPIN BOTTLES (SEE ME PACE AND FLAIL MY ARMS)?  So many opportunities to live life more fully, to serve  in a bigger and more profound ways, to get so real and authentic with life and people that neither can resist one even with quirkity quirks.

Nelly reminds us that we are not just here to get in and get out. 

This year, with a little bit of uh uh, I'm poppin bottles even if the bouncer seems a little scary and I have to go by blind faith that I'm on the VIP list along with all y'all.

See you there.