Lifelong Learning

 

Leonardo da Vinci, born in 1452 in Vinci, Italy, is one of history's most extraordinary figures. He is known not only for his unparalleled artistic genius but also for his unwavering thirst for knowledge. His relentless desire to learn shaped not only his own life but also the trajectory of art and science during the Renaissance and beyond.

From an early age, Leonardo was captivated by the world around him. His insatiable curiosity drove him to question established norms, and he sought a profound understanding of nature, human anatomy, and the principles governing physical phenomena. At a time when the Renaissance celebrated artistic achievement, Leonardo uniquely positioned himself at the confluence of art and science, always aware that these two domains were intricately intertwined.

One of the most significant advantages of da Vinci's relentless pursuit of knowledge was his unparalleled capacity for innovation. His iconic masterpieces, such as the “Mona Lisa” and “The Last Supper,” embody aesthetic brilliance and introduce groundbreaking techniques in composition and perspective.

Leonardo’s inquisitiveness extended into engineering and invention, and his visions often outstripped the capabilities of his time. His designs for flying machines, armored vehicles, and even scuba gear reveal a visionary mind that was unafraid to dream big. Although many of these inventions were never realized during his lifetime, they laid the foundation for future technological breakthroughs.

Leonardo da Vinci's extraordinary desire to learn resulted in profound contributions across multiple disciplines, underscoring the critical importance of curiosity, observation, and interdisciplinary exploration. His legacy persists through his breathtaking artworks and the principles of inquiry he championed, which continue to inspire artists, scientists, and intellectuals today.

The difference between an average and extraordinary person is the hunger to learn, the desire to grow, and the discipline to educate yourself. Make a commitment to pour into yourself every day. Feed your mind with books, podcasts, online courses, and the study of successful people. Don't dare use the excuse of not having time! If you have time to scroll through social media, watch TV, or gossip, you have time to feed and nourish your mind so that you can grow. The moment you stop learning is the moment you stop growing, and when you stop growing, you stop living to your fullest potential.

Wake up every morning with an intention to learn something new. Stretch your mind. Expose yourself to new thoughts and perspectives. Make self-improvement a priority and a non-negotiable. Small improvements over time compound. The more you invest in yourself now, the more life will reward you in ways you can't imagine. The wisdom that you acquire now stays with you forever. Be curious! Expand your thinking! Ask, "What else is possible?" Every great achievement starts with learning a new skill or transforming a mindset. Learn, grow, evolve. Discipline and a little effort every day will make you unstoppable! 

Let Your Personal Mission Statement Be Your Guide

The primary function of a lighthouse is to emit light from a significant height so that it can be seen many miles away. It guides sailors to shore and warns of dangerous coastlines and reefs. Like fog, the lighthouse also has fog horns or bells in conditions of low visibility.

A personal mission statement is like a lighthouse—a beacon of light that helps educators navigate the many challenges that are sure to come during their careers. It can clarify one's purpose and shape how one approaches instruction, leadership, and mentoring the next generation. 

How do you write a personal mission statement? Where do you start?

Begin with identifying your core values. Here is a list of common core values from Brene'Brown 

Identify the three values that matter most to you. This is tough, but you can start by narrowing your choices to 15.

Write down your three core values and explain why they are significant. 

Now, ask yourself, "What drives me?" "What are my interests- passions?" "What gets me fired up in the morning?" Write down an experience or two that really ignited your passion for education. Consider different subjects, age groups, positions, and people you've served. 

Next, consider your long-term goals. Where do you see yourself in five, ten, or even twenty years? Your mission statement should align with these aspirations. For example, if one of your goals is to create a culture where kids are creative and critical thinkers, this goal should be part of your mission statement.

It's time to DRAFT a personal mission statement. Use the insights from the previous steps to write a concise paragraph. Try using a simple template like the following;

"I aim [primary goal] by [your plan for how to achieve your goal] while embodying [your three core values]."

Seek feedback and remain open to revising your mission statement. Revisit it often and make necessary adjustments as you learn, gain more experience, and reflect on your practices. Think of it as a living document that will evolve over time.

Dr. Stephen Covey said, "Begin with the end in mind." You can effectively prioritize decisions by aligning your mission with your values and goals. As you embrace your journey, remember that your mission statement is not just a reflection of your aspirations but a guiding compass for inspiring and empowering others. 

In the words of Maya Angelou, "I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver." By crafting a meaningful personal mission statement, you gift your goals and values and the rich tapestry of knowledge and inspiration to future generations who will carry forward the legacy you leave behind.

6-Word Memoir

 

Image shared on Twitter/X Alexis Wilk

Legend has it that Ernest Hemingway accepted the challenge of writing a story using only six words. He wrote, “For sale: baby shoes, never worn.” Since then, language arts teachers have used Hemingway’s example for writing with clarity and conciseness. Thousands of participants have written their own stories, legacies, and leadership philosophies with the same six-word structure. Larry Smith tweaked this challenge to have his community write six words about their life. He called them Six-Word Memoirs. Others have stretched this task to one sentence, such as this one about President Lincoln. “He preserved the Union and freed the slaves.” Every January, many people post their One Word on social media and further explain why that one word (sometimes up to three) will help them focus for the upcoming year. All of these tasks are similar in that they challenge the author to succinctly summarize their values, philosophy, life experience, aspirations, or legacy in only a few words.  

The challenge of reducing a life’s story into a few words requires self-awareness, reflection, and clarity. What are the person’s core values, beliefs, and pivotal experiences? This practice often requires deep introspection. The writer is forced to distill complex thoughts into a few powerful words, frequently conveying deep emotion and insight.  It also challenges the author to be creative and choose words with maximum impact and resonance. Many of these brief statements have universal appeal, allowing others to connect and relate to the sentiments expressed because of humor or the emotional response elicited. 

How do you write a Six-Word Memoir?

1. Start with writing forty words about your life. Include moments that have defined or changed you. Focus on central themes, values, or emotions. 

2. Use some of those forty words to narrow your story to twenty words. Choose impactful words that carry weight and evoke strong imagery or emotion.

3. Finally, narrow down your story to six words. Make sure that each word contributes to the overall message you want to convey. Aim to tell the story with simplicity.

Overall, this exercise is a fun challenge. However, educators at any stage of their career can benefit from crafting their own six-word memoir. It will succinctly summarize their core teaching philosophy and the impact that they want to have on the students and adults they serve. A well-crafted memoir can serve as a motivational guiding statement, bridging generations and making the educator’s influence accessible and enduring. It can encapsulate key teachings, principles, or lessons the educator aims to impart to students, new teachers, and others. A six-word memoir can communicate a leader’s philosophy and vision for the future and inspire future generations. It can also serve as a visual reminder to the author about their commitment to serve.

Examples of 6-Word Memoirs

Self-Awareness

Walking into a fun house of mirrors is like entering a whimsical world of reality distortions, and laughter echoes throughout the room. The various reflective surfaces elongate or squish facial features and body limbs. Mirrors warp images into amusing shapes, highly exaggerating the physical features of the person looking into them. Pulling a face or striking a pose sparks even more spontaneous giggles. Each position shift creates a novel distortion of the reflection.

Self-awareness can often feel like navigating a fun house filled with mirrors, each reflecting different dimensions of our identity. Just as the mirrors in a funhouse distort our appearance, our perceptions can sometimes distort our understanding of ourselves. Some mirrors might exaggerate our strengths, making us appear larger than life, while others might warp our weaknesses, causing us to underestimate our potential. To truly understand who we are, we must step back, observe each reflection, and sift through the distortions to see a clearer picture of ourselves.

The fun house metaphor invites us to appreciate that self-awareness isn't about achieving a perfect reflection but embracing our identity's multifaceted nature. The various mirrors represent different life experiences, relationships, and societal expectations that can alter how we see ourselves.

Dr. Brené  Brown explains that self-awareness is the most powerful tool one can possess. It allows one to truly understand oneself beyond surface impressions. It's about delving deep into one's thoughts, emotions, and behaviors and examining them honestly and clearly. Self-awareness requires regular reflection and a willingness to confront the truths about yourself that might be uncomfortable or difficult to face. But, it's within this discomfort that growth occurs. When you're willing to sit with your thoughts and emotions and their origins, you begin to peel back the layers of conditioning and uncover your authentic self. Meditation, journaling, and close friends can all help us to gain clarity. 

Every reflection in the fun house offers a story. Some may highlight our accomplishments, while others point out our shortcomings. Owning these stories, much like navigating the various mirrors, allows us to take charge of our narrative and understand how each aspect contributes to the legacy we wish to leave behind.

Listen Less?

The incessant chatter of negative self-talk is one of the most formidable obstacles we face on the journey to success and fulfillment. It's that persistent inner voice whispering doubts, telling us we're not enough, and warning us against daring to dream. However, by choosing to drown out the negativity, we can transform this narrative and unlock the immense power of self-belief. 

Self-talk is the internal dialogue that shapes our perceptions and influences our actions, often occurring without conscious awareness. What do you say to yourself when you look in the mirror? Or maybe you're like me at one point in my life when I avoided looking into any mirror. The reflection wasn't pretty. I laughed off my self-loathing as torture for others because they were the ones who had to look at me.

The truth is that our minds are powerful. When we allow negativity to dominate our thoughts, we weave a web of limiting beliefs that hinder our pursuit of becoming the person we are meant to be. 

You will never go farther than the limits of the person you see yourself as. Your identity determines the possibilities for you. Identity shapes your life.

Limiting beliefs are insidious convictions that stifle our growth and hinder our potential. They are often rooted in past experiences, societal conditioning, or well-meaning but misguided advice. They can prevent us from reaching our dreams.

What limiting beliefs have you caught yourself saying or believing?

• I'm not good enough.
• I don't deserve "_______." (success) This is the thought that one is unworthy of achievement or happiness.
• I'll never be able to change. This is a fixed mindset that suggests that personal growth is not possible.
• I'm too old (or too young) to pursue my goals. The belief that age is a barrier to success or new opportunities.
• I'm not as "___________" (talented) as others. This is comparing yourself to others that fosters a belief of inadequacy.
• It's too late to start something new. The notion that one has missed their chance to pursue new endeavors.
• I'll embarrass myself if I try _______. This fear of judgment or ridicule holds people back from taking risks.
• I don't have the time. This is the belief that there are never sufficient hours in the day to pursue personal goals.

Limiting beliefs and negative talk can significantly impact our daily habits and routines, often hindering our ability to reach our goals. They can drain motivation. Negative thoughts can create a sense of helplessness and lead to procrastination because the fear of failure overwhelms us from taking action. Negative thought patterns can also affect our decision-making abilities and cloud our judgment. They could create a routine of avoiding challenges and reinforce a pattern of stagnation. When negative self-talk is prevalent, individuals may neglect self-care. This can result in burnout and decreased well-being. As a result, daily habits like exercise or proper nutrition may take a backseat and affect overall health.

Negative self-talk can affect how we interact with others, leading to feelings of loneliness, unworthiness, and isolation being perpetuated and creating more limiting beliefs. Beliefs can lead to the formation of harmful routines that impact productivity and energy levels. When we hold on to limiting beliefs, we often shy away from opportunities to help us grow and learn new skills. They can also lead to heightened stress and anxiety. The inner critic's voice becomes loud and intimidating. Limiting beliefs and negative self-talk create a feedback loop that adversely affects our daily habits and routines. 

On the other hand, positive self-talk and affirmations are more than motivational tools. Positive self-talk is rooted in neuroscience and can significantly influence our mental health, behavior, and overall well-being. Our internal dialogue shapes our perceptions, habits, and actions. Our behavior reflects what we believe about ourselves. For example, if being a morning person is part of our identity, our daily habits of getting up early to read, write, meditate, exercise, etc., becomes non-negotiable. We'll fight tooth and nail to keep that identity. The routine habits align with our values, goals, and how we see ourselves. 

Maya Angelou said, "Nothing will work unless you do." Embracing a positive self-belief is the first step toward the hard work of fulfilling your dreams. Step into the version you were meant to be. Let go of self-doubt, excuses, and limitations. You're not here to play small! Command your life with wisdom, strength, and confidence. Everything begins in your mind. Your thoughts shape your reality. 

Jim Rohn said, "You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great." and "Everything you want in life is on the other side of one simple decision- the decision to take action."

So, let's go small and start with three baby steps to move forward. 

1. Get crystal clear on who you want to be. Define your future self. Paint a picture in your mind and visualize every detail about who you want to be and the goal(s) that you want to achieve.
2. Remove the word "Just" from your vocabulary! You are not "just" a teacher, a librarian, a custodian, or a student. You are not "just" a central office staff member. You are not "just" an average administrator. 
3. Every morning, begin the day with this sentence. "Today is going to be a great day because _________." Every night, ask, "What went well today?"

Don't apologize for stepping into your greatness!

Big and Bold Dreams

photographer photographer

I recently was in a situation where I was the student, and a coach asked me some thought-provoking questions about my dreams. It didn't take long for me to realize that when it comes to money, it's tough for me to dream big- really big. It most likely has a lot to do with how I grew up. My mom was a single mom raising three kids on her own. Money was tight. 

Dreaming big is setting an audacious goal- one that seems almost out of reach and impossible to achieve. Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream about social justice and equity for all. President John F. Kennedy announced his dream of landing a man on the moon and having him safely return to earth before the 1960s were over. The moonshot goal was achieved in 1969. 

One of my goals is to get completely out of debt. Except for my mortgage, I recently met that goal! Reaching that benchmark was a huge achievement. It's not a moonshot goal, but it's one step closer to one of my dreams. 

When I bought my 1975ish fixer-upper home, I was beyond excited! It was surreal and challenging to believe I had a home to call my own. My whole life had consisted of moving from apartment to apartment. Shortly after I purchased my house, the economy crashed. An upside-down mortgage didn't help my intentions to fix up the house. And...life happened. So, beyond some essential maintenance, I've yet to make my house what I envisioned. 

However, a little over a year ago, I started drawing plans for a home addition. Over time (and may iterations later), I have drawn (in quite a bit of detail) the plans for my "dream home." I add tweaks as I research and learn more, but overall, it's what I dream of building in a few years. I have been very conservative in my plans until recently. 

You see, I have NO idea how this dream will really happen. I do not have the income or the money in savings that building an addition would require. The projected current cost is exceptionally high! It's like paying for another home only cheaper because the cost of housing is so outrageous! 

I wish I had a magic wand, but I don't. I've been brainstorming and testing the water of some other income possibilities besides my regular job. And for the first time, I see my dream almost touchable. Most importantly, I believe in myself! I know that I can do this! I don't know all the details for "how" quite YET. I'm going to figure this out, though! I'm giggling at myself for the dream getting bigger- not smaller. The funny thing is, this isn't even about having a bigger house! I'm getting closer to retirement, and conventional wisdom says I should be downsizing and not retiring until I'm debt-free- including my mortgage. 

My plans for a home addition make me so excited! This is what I really want to do-

• Live in the small part that is the addition and rent the rest of my house to professionals like traveling nurses. They usually rent for 3 months at a time. That'd give me a lot of flexibility.
• The Olympic Games are coming back to Utah! I really want to host a family during the games.
• My home is very close to the school district office buildings. I would like to offer my home as an alternate place for professional learning. I know principals who would love to take their faculty off-campus for a "retreat" of some sort. I would love to host!
• At some point, I'd love to rent to a cute young family and save the majority of their rent to give them as a surprise gift when they feel ready to buy a home.
• Since I don't have kids of my own, I would love to gift my house to a top-notch teacher (someone similar to my late mom) who could have their life changed by the opportunity of owning their own home. 

In order for my dream to come entirely to fruition, I need to generate enough income to pay off my mortgage AND have enough to pay off the expense of building an addition. My time is running out before I retire. Can I do this?

 

Believe in Yourself

 Dear Sandy,

No more excuses! No more delays! Your success is entirely up to you! Time doesn't wait for you to be ready. It's your most valuable resource. Do not let another year pass by with regrets that you haven't achieved your dreams. Time doesn't care if you are afraid. Time doesn't care if you don't feel confident enough to take this next step in your life. Time doesn't wait. You can never get it back. Don't wait any longer! "Someday" is a lie and the slow death of your dreams. Let go of your self-doubt and limitations. Don't underestimate yourself! Step into your greatness without apology.

Lean into the discomfort. YOU ARE ENOUGH! Do not seek praise and validation from others to determine your worth. Stop chasing approval and start living in confidence. Recognize your uniqueness, strength, and resilience. Give yourself credit for the hurdles you've jumped and the mountains you've climbed on your journey. You are strong. You don't need reassurance from others. Not everyone will see your value. That's okay!

Do not take rejection personally! It's hard to see in the moment, but it's life's way of protecting you from something that wasn't in your best interest. It's a blessing in disguise. Where one door closes, another one opens. Use the hurt to fuel, motivate, and make you stronger. Do not let it break you- stop you. Be prepared for other opportunities to grow. KNOW YOUR VALUE! You were not meant for that path. There is something greater for you. Every detour and setback is simply a redirection. Trust the process. Keep moving forward. Treat yourself with kindness, patience, and grace. Practice self-compassion and nurture yourself like you would anyone else. Become more self-aware. Dive deep. 

Let go! Let go of comparing yourself to others. Let go of perfectionism and people-pleasing. Set boundaries so that your time can be spent on pursuing your dreams and becoming the person you know you can and want to be. STOP THE NEGATIVE TALK! Get it out of your head and replace those limitations with a clear vision of where you're headed. Do not constantly worry about things you cannot control. Create space for the things that MATTER. 

Write another chapter. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF! Clearly define your future self. Do your daily habits align with your values? Start small and make improvements. Stay focused, determined, and disciplined. Make smart choices and decisions. Ask for help from your mentors. Seek their wisdom. Feed your mind and spirit from great books. Concentrate. Take daily walks to meditate. Confront the truths about yourself that may be uncomfortable and difficult to face. 

You've got this! Take the intentional steps toward the life you want to live. You deserve it!

Just Do It!

 I've had the idea of writing a book floating in my head for years. It only intensified ten years ago when I saw multiple friends write and publish their books and share them on Twitter. I quickly purchased (unless a book was gifted to me), read their books, and helped to promote their awesomeness. It was fun! We were all part of a community learning from each other as we shared our blog posts and books. 

There's never a perfect time to write a book. But I never felt it was the right time for me- besides, I had no solid ideas. There were times when I struggled to share my blog posts with the world. I had no special expertise like everyone else seemed to have. I wasn't an administrator and felt like a phony to speak about leadership. It was a classic case of imposter syndrome, not valuing myself and holding onto the idea of needing to be an expert rather than in the process of learning. That's a topic for another time. 

A week before Christmas, I watched some YouTube clips about building a home addition when a commercial caught my attention. It was about writing and publishing books. I went down the rabbit hole, signed up for a course, and, over the winter break, learned about self-publishing. And then, there was a challenge: write and publish a book in a week. Everything was free, so I took the leap and signed up. It started on January 20, and there was a sneak peek of the complete training on Friday, January 17, 2025. I had a significant professional day to plan for on the 17th and knew that afterwards, I could commit myself to completing this challenge. The 20th was a holiday, so I'd have the longer weekend to really dig in.

I can't tell you how many hours I spent writing. Although I knew this little book was essentially for practice, a "throw-away" book in my mind, it's not my character to put trash into the universe. I wanted something that our school community could use. So, I began writing about the importance of parents (and others) reading aloud to their kids. Without much effort, I was in the flow. In fact, I was in the flow so much that I took the next two days off and continued to write. In a little over a week, I had over 30,000 words written and ready to publish.

I couldn't miss school anymore, so the process slowed down a bit. But I worked in the early morning hours and at night after school. The hardest part for me was learning all of the other steps to publishing. I was super disappointed that the free tools were so limiting. I couldn't format the text the way I wanted, and I couldn't use the image I'd created for the cover (at first) in Canva. Fatigue set in, and I settled on less than the best just to get it published. I was later able to change some things, which made me happier. 

On February 8, 2025, I clicked on the publish button and waited for Amazon to make everything official. There were a few bugs at first. The second half of my book is the translated version. Amazon insisted on labeling my whole book as Spanish. Sigh... It eventually got fixed.

Yesterday, February 16, the two books that I ordered came in the mail. Despite a few disappointments, holding MY book was exciting for me! I couldn't believe it! It's not the book I've dreamt of publishing, but it's still a dang good little book! I ensured that the prices on Amazon were as low as they'd let me. No royalties for me, but that was never my purpose. Next week is parent conferences, and I'm hoping that it'll help at least one person.

I'm proud of myself for getting it done- a bucket list item- published! Now, I'm even more confident I can level up and attack the book that I've always wanted to write. 

P.S. I've had ideas floating around in my head for years but never knew how or if they could connect somehow. As I worked on this little book, it came to be like a whole vision. I not only know that the ideas can connect, but I know exactly how and what the bigger picture needs to be. Amazing!

A Galentine Brunch

The great thing about getting older is that you don't lose all the other ages you've been.  Madeleine L'Engle

One of the 5th grade teachers hosted a "Galentine's brunch" this morning.  It was a small group of 15 teachers from my school- mostly 20-something-year-olds (I'm 60ish 🤣 and an IC). We had a blast coming in our pajamas to laugh and enjoy each others' company while eating pancakes and playing a trivia game. 

I wasn't sure about how this gathering would be. Could I genuinely socialize outside of the school environment? Sure, I'm friends with everyone. But being three times older than the majority was a little unnerving at first. That little uncomfortable feeling didn't last long (thankfully), and my more introverted nerdy self enjoyed the get-together. 

Although we didn't "shop talk," I couldn't help but think about how we enjoy each others' company on a daily basis because we always learn with and from each other! As a coach, I'm modeling lessons much of the time. Modeling and co-teaching have been excellent opportunities for me to learn the new ELA curriculum this year. Although I don't intentionally make mistakes, I do. It's part of the process, and it's healthy for our newer teachers to see me navigate those mini storms. As a coach, I also have the privilege to watch them teach and interact with their students.  I learn as much (usually more) from them as they learn from me. We're all on a journey. Despite our age differences, learning and collaborating with colleagues with different strengths is a win-win for everyone. 

Start the Engine!

 

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New year, new opportunities- Back to blogging to document and share my journey.