The Last Day

So...  It is the last day of 2018. 

I truly enjoy new beginnings.  In fact, to celebrate the incoming new year, I am doing something that will make most people jealous!  I am cleaning, sorting, and purging!

With a cleansed life, and a cleansed soul...I will begin my new and renewed goals and directions.

That being said, I am not sure how much I will be posting on Mindful Literacy this coming year.  My blogging goals and commitment will take a shift towards spiritual living and I will be using the blog (connected to this one) called Mindful Lens. 

You will find these new ideas at https://mindfullens.blogspot.com/

Here I will blog less often, but with depth and food for thought.  I will bring out thinking more focused on living a Mindful life and enjoying what life has to offer.

Please consider following the blog. I will continue to share links to the written thoughts on other social media platforms.

Meanwhile, I will spend much more time with other projects.

Priority 1:  My health.

Also... My Articles for Choice Literacy.  If you are not a subscriber, you are missing out!   Go to https://choiceliteracy.com/ for more information!

As well, I will be working on several of my book projects and collaborations with authors and presenters, as well as publishers around the country.  I will share information about these projects on all blogs and social media platforms.

And...I will be spending more time with my roots in artistic photography. I am not sure where these images where end up, but I will certainly be displaying them for others somewhere.  At this point, I have no intention of selling images, but getting back to this to make my soul smile and rekindle my love for various topics of art photography...such as old barn works...

Finally, but not least...I will be getting further in touch with myself through my studies of meditation, spirituality, and self-care.

Thanks so much for joining me in the 366 day ride.  I appreciate your attention and thought.

Stay awake.  Stay aware.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

The Cycle

We are at the point of Winter Break where some interesting things are easy to note for me.

1.  I have to check in the morning to remind myself what day of the week it is.

2.  I realize the reason and need for break.  The essential need to catch up on sleep, making phone calls, setting up and making appointments, taking care of health issues, catching up on simple chores and errands, and finally going through the cabinets and tossing expired items.

3.  I have finally brought out my winter clothes and put away summer clothes.

4.  I had time to let my guard down and get the stomach flu.

5.  I finally dusted under the file cabinet.

6.  I realized how much of my to-do list I never got to in September.

7.  I realize that I will never get through my "hope to do" list over this break.

It is really just another cog in the workings of being a teacher.  We have such interesting lives.  I have found that if I talk to local teachers, teachers on the other side of the country, teachers in Canada or the Philippines, or anywhere in the Galaxy...we all seem to share these types of realizations about our lives as teachers.

And...

Most of us, that are truly in this field for the right reasons, wouldn't trade our lives for anything.  Being a teacher and having this weird cycle of life that repeats on an annual cycle is out thing.  It is part of the joy, the sacrifice, and the weirdness that makes us who we are.

Born to be a teacher?

I think so.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

One Little Word 2019

Today is the day that I begin the work within my One-Little-Word for 2019!

My word is...

FORGE...

Forge: to form or bring into being especially by an expenditure of effortworking to forge party unityThe two countries forged a strong alliance.
: to move forward slowly and steadilythe ship forged ahead through heavy seas
Middle English, "smith's workshop," borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Gallo-Romance *faurga, going back to Latin fabrica "process of making something, craft, workshop"
So...What does this mean for me?
I will create. I will build. I will move ahead at a steady and consistent pace. I will write. I will produce thinking and conjures more thinking.  I will smith knowledge and understanding for myself and for others.  My driving force will be a self-directed workshop of productivity of mind, body, and soul. 
Through this, I will be intentional, be aware, and live mindfully.
Be Mindful.
Peace.
Mark Levine
#Mindfulliteracy@LevineWrites

The start of the Vision

So I am starting to work on my Vision Board today.  The board is set.  Next comes the fun part- the finding of the images that will allow me to see and envision what I want for my life.

What is a Vision Board?

It is a board (mine is cork) with images and words attached.  The images and words represent the ideas of whatI want in my life.  This takes on a version of the Laws of Attraction whereas you see yourself living a certain life and the universe bring that life to you.  For me, this board will include short and long term goals.

Most people take a stack of magazines and rip out the images of what they are looking for in life.  For me, I am feeling that this is not the way to go...or, I may be a bit OCD about all of this.  Instead, I want to find specific images online and print them out in a somewhat uniform basis.  But...the board isn't supposed to be very organized so I will have to deal with that when I come to it.

I have seen finished boards that include nice big homes, vacation homes, lots of money, expensive cars, jewelry, and the perfect mate.  I have also seen those with exercise equipment, perfect bodies with sculpted abs, and lot of fancy gym shoes.

Mine will not be like that...

Mine will have a camper near water.  I will have something to do with weight loss.  There will be things about writing and completing writing projects.  There will be mediation, mindfulness, and happiness.  Maybe something about being debt-free?  I see this all centered around my "One-little-word."  There will be much more, but I am not one to spread my focus....not on something like this.  Of course, my finished product will be included in a future post.  I also see my vision board being updated about once every 6-months.

The key for me is awareness.  This project will help my to focus my awareness of what I am looking for out of like.  It will make me mindful of what is most important while setting goals to work towards.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

New

And now it is time to prepare for the New Year.

New hopes, dreams, aspirations.

New goals, milestones, and wishes.

New beginnings and refreshed starts.

New outlooks and looks within.

New appreciations and understandings.

New resolutions and mindsets.

New ways of carrying ideas into fruition.

As I work on the physical parts of this renewal (Body), and I am also working on the mental parts (Spiritual and emotional)

I have decided to allow myself the gift of letting go of the year behind me.  I already feel lighter in this endeavor.  I have liberated myself from the worries and concerns of the past year.  I am promising myself the joy of a new start with nothing laying on my shoulders but possibilities.

Also...

Today I begin my vision board.  I will talk more about this in the coming days.

Here is a cool site to learn more about vision boards, their purpose, and making one of your own.

https://blog.mindvalley.com/vision-board/

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Happy Boxing Day

Today was a rough day.  I spent it with food poisoning, a flu virus, or some strange alien bacteria. I woke up to a wrecked stomach and right now, I am finally able to sit up long enough to get a few words down.

For me, stomach issues are the nemesis of writing.  I am too busy being dizzy or stumbling to the bathroom.

Anyway...today is Boxing Day!

Boxing Day takes place on December 26th and is only celebrated in a few countries; mainly ones historically connected to the UK (such as Canada, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand) and in some European countries. In Germany it is known as "Zweite Feiertag” (which means 'second celebration') and also “Zweiter Weihnachtsfeiertag” which translates as Boxing Day (although it doesn’t literally mean that)!

It was started in the UK about 800 years ago, during the Middle Ages. It was the day when the alms box, collection boxes for the poor often kept in churches, were traditionally opened so that the contents could be distributed to poor people. Some churches still open these boxes on Boxing Day.

It might have been the Romans that first brought this type of collecting box to the UK, but they used them to collect money for the betting games which they played during their winter celebrations!

In The Netherlands, some collection boxes were made out of a rough pottery called 'earthenware' and were shaped like pigs. Perhaps this is where we get the term 'Piggy Bank'!

https://www.whychristmas.com/customs/boxingday.shtml

And now that you know this...I need to make another visit to the bathroom.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy

@LevineWrites

All of the Above

As I reach the end of the year of my One-little-word being the word, "Persist"...I can say that this is the first year since starting to participate in a one-little-word philosophy that I will miss my word.  I will enjoy it and live it for 6-more days.  Then, the entrance of my new word.  The entrance of a new and refined philosophy.  A new direction for new goals.

As far as I know, the concept of the one-little-word started with Ali Edwards in 2006.  https://aliedwards.com/projects/one-little-word.  But the reality is that most of us have been setting a goal of sorts since we were kids.  We set goals that often could have been summarized in a word or a phrase.  This One-little-word concept simply gave a generation of thinkers that ability to come together and participate in a movement that offers focus and discussion.

So...

For the past year the word "Persist" has guided me to daily writing.  It has also given my direction to say yes to other professional writing endeavors.  I have used the motivation to make several thousand connections on Twitter across the globe.  This practice has moved me to the point that I am very ready to take my writing to the next level and begin a new chapter in my professional life.  Now, that I am smarter and more confident...I am moving in this direction for me.  Not just to be published or to have my name on a book or three, but to enjoy the writing process and have the conversations with myself that end up in print.  Maybe they will end up being read by others, maybe they will simply sit on a shelf for someone to read when they stumble upon them.

So...

I very much suggest such a challenge to others...to learn about themselves through daily writing.  If they are not willing to put themselves out there to offer their thoughts and souls to others, then write it in a private blog or journal of sorts.  In doing so, one will learn about the patterns in their thoughts.  They will learn about their beliefs and concerns.  They will also grow in a way that might not be expected, they will be able to figure who they are or can be as a writer.

For me, it has been all of the above.

Even if one doesn't look to grow as a writer, one can certainly stand to find themselves within their daily lives.  In a way...get to know who they are behind the messes of the day and life.  Writing daily can become a mirror that allows you to see behind the image in a typical mirror.  It can expose secrets, aspirations, beliefs, goals, concerns, and even help to wash away ideas that have stood in the moving forward.

Writing can awaken the mind and soul.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

And to all a Good Night

Tonight my family spent time together to celebrate the holiday.  We had our pasta bar and salad bar that my wife and I prepare.  It is nice as I offer three sauces, two proteins, and two different types of noodles as well as sautéed mushrooms and homemade garlic bread.  It gives great variety while keeping things nice and simple.

We have been celebrating the Christmas holiday on Christmas Eve since I was a young teen.  It all started because my mother couldn't wait for my sister and I to start opening gifts.  Right after dinner, she would bring out a gift for us and say, "Only one, that's it."  The next thing we knew, it was midnight and we were opening gift number six.  Since my mother, who is no longer with us, couldn't wait for the actual Christmas experience, it just became our thing...to celebrate with a nice meal and gifts.

Our family is much smaller now and the two kids, my nieces, are grown and although they appreciate opening a few things, seem to appreciate the cash most of all.  I have become fine with this as it has allowed us to make the night about eating a meal together and spending some fun time together...laughing and reminiscing.  My father, who is up there is years, also seems to appreciate the low key pace of the night.

Another benefit that celebrating on the Eve has allowed is other families and friends get our family for Christmas Day.  When I was younger, this seemed to be more important, but today, where things are with our families...Christmas Day has become the day to wrap up the holiday and take down decorations to create a fresh slate for the new year and all that it will offer.

I will admit, deep inside me, when I allow it to make its way to my thoughts during the day...I miss the "old" meanings of Christmas.  I miss being a kid and the anticipation of seeing family, getting gifts, and the whole package of Christmas.  For me, it is like visiting a snow globe in my mind which allows me to appreciate it enough to smile, then put it back on the shelf for another year.

I noticed when we were out yesterday, that I looked deep into the faces of small children and saw that building anticipation of the season.  The excitement.  The joy.  The taking in the music and the decorations.  The belief.  The wow of it all.  For a brief moment, I was right there with them.  That was all I needed to relight the spirit of Christmas in my heart.  I guess that is what Christmas is for me today.

I hope all enjoy there time with family this holiday season.  I hope you can find that little kid within if just for a moment.

And to all a goodnight.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Carefree life

I woke up today, wondering what I would do if I came into enough money that I didn't have to work-teach anymore.  This took my mind in some interesting places.

If I didn't have to work, and I had enough money to travel, buy a bigger house, do interesting things...I have to admit, I give this about six-months, tops, before I am board and looking for something meaningful to do with my time and life.

So...

I thought about the piece of mind that they money would give me if I didn't have to worry about bills, car notes, mortgage, and the probability of things wearing out and needing to be replaced.  Yes, I would still go to work-teach.  I would wake up each day with one less stress (or more) to weigh on my shoulders as I gave to the mission that my life has chosen for me...to teach and be there for my students. 

Teaching gives me purpose.  It challenges my mind and my spirit.  It allows me to give to others and be part of something greater than myself.  Connecting with peers that are working for the same greater good is empowering and inspiring.  Being connected with students, the future generations, allows me to feel as though I have some say in the direction of the world beyond my years on earth.

When given the opportunity to leave being a teacher for free money so one can live carefree...it is those teachers that live altruistically that stand out.  It was what gives people like me true purpose and direction.  It is what fills us with joy and challenges our intellect.  It fuels our soul and makes us want to strive to be our best at all times.

Carefree life seems empty to me.  Maybe I am spoiled (in reverse).  I choose to stay in my world of purpose and earn my honor.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Winter Break

Well, it has happened.  Winter Break has arrived.  It showed up just in time.  It hasn't left a whole lot of time to prepare for family coming over for the holidays, but I will make due.

Break is a time to rejuvenate and rest my soul.  It is also a time to feed my soul.  I will do this by reading, writing, building, creating, meditating, and cleaning.  This is a time where the new year brings forth a chance for a rebirth of possibilities.  It is a clean(ish) slate to start a new.... When I return to school, it will be a new semester.  The calendar will show a new year.

This new beginning will allow me the motivation to become a new and improved me.  Maybe a bot more energetic.  Maybe a bit thinner.  Maybe a bit wiser.  Maybe a bit more aware.

I am optimistic about what lays ahead for me.  I have been preparing for the upcoming year for my entire life.  I am hopeful that I will get it right.  But...even if I don't, as a teacher, I get a new beginning in June, then August, and then again next New Year.

Why am I so optimistic at this time?

I am more awake about who I am and what I am supposed to do with the remainder of my days.

I enjoy my life and appreciate the direction that it is going.

I have worked hard to lay the foundation for the work that is ahead of me.

I am confident, and I am willing to release anxiety about what I cannot control.

I am spiritually settled.

Here is to a wonderful new year.  Here is to the plans and the outcomes.  Here is to being flexible enough to appreciate progress.  Here is to me.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Polar Vortex

It's the first day of winter and we are getting word of a coming POLAR VORTEX!!!

What is a Polar Vortex?

The term "vortex" refers to the counter-clockwise flow of air that helps keep the colder air near the Poles.



In other words...

It means that it is going to be one of those winters where cars do not start...school buses do not start...and the whole world seems to be freezer burned.

I have lived in Illinois my entire life.  I like that we have true seasons here and probably would move to another place of weather if I were to leave the state... Maybe Maine, Minnesota, Wisconsin?  But, when you have things to do like get to school and hope that the buses are running to you don't end up with a week of "Cold Days" which in turn make your end of the school year extend deep into June- if makes one wonder if the South wouldn't be a bad place to live.

I am hopeful that the polar vortex is short lived if in fact it graces us with its presence.

If it does, I will be prepared.  With food, drink, and good books.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

A Job

I noticed a meme on social media today with the following message-

Teaching is a job, NOT a lifestyle. 

Take time for yourself over winter break, the kids will be there waiting when you return.

I am not comfortable with this message.  Yes, I understand the idea of self-care and I certainly see and agree with the sentiment of taking care of ourselves so we can be our best for our kids with the needed energy.

But...

I do see teaching as a lifestyle.  I do not see teaching as a "Job" that one punches a clock and is on during working hours only.  I very much see teaching as being a teacher...24/7.  I see it as being who I am, not what I do.  Teaching is very much my life's work. It is what I think about, talk about, write about, and yes...dream about. (Some are nightmares, but most are dreams)

This idea of forgetting that you are a teacher and have students until you see them after break assumes that students don't matter to me.  I take issue with this.  These are not just students that I teach as a job...these are critical relationships that require an all-in approach to reach and nurture.

So...

Yes, I will take good care of myself over break.

No, I will not forget my kids.

Yes, I will do some thinking and planning while on break.

Yes, I will do some writing over break.

Yes, I will seek renewal and re-energize over the two weeks.

I don't have a job...at very least I have a passion within my career.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Finals

Being a middle school teacher, I have never really experienced the concept of students taking finals...until this past week.  Our district tests that measure growth have become high stakes tests that act similar in fashion to a final exam.

What I have noticed...

Students are not ready for the stress.  My 7th and 8th graders are so stressed that they are wearing the stress physically.  They are crying.  They are throwing up.  They are reporting headaches.  They are afraid to find out the outcomes and their grades.

Also...

Teachers are stressed.  Not only do we have to fit all of these tests into the last few days of the first semester leading up to winter break, but for many of us, these tests represent our growth for our annual evaluations.  As well, we are stressed worry about our kids while our kids are stressed seeing us stressed.  It is a mess.  It all feels so unnecessary and almost cruel.  I am not sure if 11-14 year olds were cut out for this type of stress.  Or...middle school teachers for that matter.

I feel this need to help my students find some type of comfort as they go into winter break.  I am not saying that I want to show them movies or have parties, but I want to to feel positive and proud of the great work that most of them have done during this first semester.  They deserve it.

Instead, we are testing up to the last minute. No room to breathe.  No time to be sick or absent.  No breaks.  At least one test in each class for over a week...

What can I do?

I have tried my best to amp up the cheerleading.  I have increased the smiles, high-fives, and fist-bumps.  I have found absolutely any reason to celebrate them and their hard work.  I have been making sure they know that they are not in this alone and show them the importance of support.

We will get through this...and we are almost there...almost.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Etched Brain

My current self-directed learning has been about the human brain (and mind) this month.  I have been watching a series by Dr. David Eagleman and reading some supplementary materials to go along with it.  Today, I learned that practicing something...anything, literally etches the automatic memory and skill set into our brains.

What does this mean?

When we ride a bike, as it becomes more automatic to balance and steer, the practice and ability becomes etched into our brain.  The same happens for golf swings, bowling, and driving a car.  As well, typing, playing a musical instrument, and much of our manual labor activities.

So...

As I am learning this, I cannot help but wonder- What about reading?  This took some digging, but there is proof that the skills it takes to be a good reader with intelligent grasp of content as well as vocabulary also can be etched into the brain through....wait for it.... Practice!!!

Now, most of us knew this, or at least recognized that this was common sense.  But we can now actually know exactly where in the brain this process is etched into our brains.

But...

Much like anything that requires practice, if we stop practicing, or lesses our routines, the etching becomes less pronounced.  In other words, if we don't use it...we lose it!

I love brain-based learning that can be proven with the newest science.  I think I will stay with this learning topic for a while longer.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Educational Nirvana

What if all students came to school interested and wanting to learn?

What if all students came to school motivated to do their best everyday?

What if all students were able to be in the moment with their learning for
each class allowing their focus to be close to 100%?

What if all students had the means to get to school each day unless they
were truly ill?

What if all students had strong relationships with their teachers allowing for a
caring and respectful environment?

What would this feel like?  What would this look like? What would it mean to
growth for the students?  What would it mean for the energy of the classroom?

I consider all of these questions when I problem solve for my classes and my
students.  I wonder what it would be like to have this “Educational Nirvana” and
I reflect on what is missing.  I also reflect on pieces that stand in the way of these
“what-ifs” that are out of the control of the students.

I have to admit that I kind of enjoy the challenges of each day not having these
what-ifs available to me.  I am not sure how bored I would be in a school environment
that would offer this Nirvana of sorts. I love problem solving.  This is NOT to say that
I am happy that students have all of these struggles and cannot usually come to school
with the best of these what-ifs...In this perfect world, I would certainly find new challenges
for me and my students.

I know that I currently help students to grow considerably more than one year’s
worth in a given school year.  Maybe if this perfect situation were to exist, the growth
would be more like three years of growth?

Well, the fact remains that reality exists….and things are not Nirvana.  They are
challenging for my students and for me. And...that is perfectly fine.  That is why
I teach- to be in the trenches with the students that need me the most.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy

@LevineWrites

Not Clutterful

As I am spending some time cleaning around the house today, I am reminded that in about 10-days, the holiday decorations will be coming down and the house will feel less cluttered.  My wife does a wonderful job making sure that the decorations are not clutterful (yes, a word I created).  She creates small vignettes with her decorating in a way that lets you know that the holidays are here without taking up every square inch of floor space.  I love it and very much appreciate it.

When the decorations come down, the real cleaning happens.  Very often, that means my wife will want to move some furniture around, get new rugs, or trade our a new cool piece for something that we have had a while.  I enjoy this process.

What happens inside me after the decorations come down is more dramatic.  I want to clean, I want to purge, I want to minimize, I want to bring everything we own to Goodwill.  I start thinking about the Spring and about being outside.  I start thinking about working in the yard...and thinking about the prospects of a get-away vacation.

I know...there are still at least 3-months waiting for me with high chances of LOTS of snow and very cold weather.  I know.   But- I would rather make believe that I don't.

SO....to cope...

I have plans to go through things I haven't touched in years and get rid of everything that I can.  There are papers that I have not looked at since 2004.  I think I can get rid of them.  That means many hours at the shredder.

So what?

We all deal with life in different ways.  We deal with down time and time that we feel like we need some change in positive and negative manners.  I like to my routines are harmless and fun as well as productive.  I am aware that there is a touch or two of OCD mixed in there somewhere.  I am okay with that.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Not yet

So...this is my 350th post.  16 more and it will be 1-year of daily posts. I am finding that my focus of my posts have become more and more erratic as I near the 366th post.  I have done my best to stay away from repeating myself in my posts.  I have done my best to be entirely transparent and honest, authentic in my posts.  I have done my best to speak from my heart before my mind in all of these posts.

Have I gone back and read any of my posts this year?

Not yet.  I see reading them as a whole, almost scary.  I am thinking I will learn or notice a lot about myself as a person and a thinker while reading and reflecting on my writing.  I am interested, but fearful of the patterns that I will find in my posts.  What will I learn about myself that will shine through the words about my mindset, attitude, or worldview?

So, is 1- continual year enough?

For me it is, or at least will be.  My daily writing has served its purpose and has taught me a lot about myself.  As a writer.  As a thinker.  As a person.  As an educator.  As a caring individual.  It is time to start writing the bigger stuff and as well, time to spend more time writing pieces.  These 15-minute (at the most) pieces are generally mindstreams that are flows of consciousness and tell the thinking behind my thinking.  Sometimes my words or ideas surprise me as to where they have gone.  I never sit down with an agenda or an idea as to what I might write.  This forum and project has simply been me in the moment.  It has been a snapshot of my thinking...a moment in time.

Will I miss this?

Yes.  I will miss the reflections.  I will miss the routines.  I will miss the idea of knowing that I am writing every day.  But...it doesn't mean that I will stop using this forum.  I plan, at this point anyway, to write here weekly to keep my posts fresh and to continue to reflect on my life's work.

I need to stay aware and awake.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Audio Books = Self-Care

I have been in the mood to sit in a dimly lit room and listen to audiobooks lately.  I have not been a fan of TV for many years....with the exception of world soccer and educational programming.  I am finding that listening to audiobooks has a calming effect on me that I cannot replicate by simply reading myself.  Granted...the reader must meet my taste. 

I enjoy readers with accents. So far, my favorite accents are that of Irish narrators.  There are some readers that I can do without.  Those with a sloppy voice or ones that do a poor job at various characters.  For me, the reader is as important as the story itself...sometimes more so.

One problem that I have gotten myself into is that I get interested in a genre and I want to stay there.  I am actually within two genres right now...Ghost stories and Zen Buddhism.  I want to take a risk and check out other genres, but what if I don't like it?  I then would be missing out on something I know I would like.

Audiobooks are expensive.  I like Audible and belong to the monthly subscription.  I try to always have one or two credits waiting for me just in case there is the perfect book that shows up that I want to get immediately.  As these are about $15 - $25 each, I have yet to abandon an audiobook like I might do when I am reading one that I am not fond of.  For that reason, I have a dozen partially finished books in my Audible library.  Yes...I actually do go back and finish them.

So what?

The so what for me here is that I am enjoying that I have found this part of me to take care of.  This is a self-care measure that I am engaging in that I feel as if it is a gift to myself for dealing with the world on a day-to-day basis.

Self-care is important if we want to have a full cup in which we can continue to give to others.

I like this for me....for now.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

The art of Zen

An old friend and colleague of mine came into my classroom today after school.  I had Zen music playing and he joked about it feeling like a place of meditation.  He was surprised when I explained to him that when my students are gone, or out of my classroom, I consider my classroom just that- a place of meditation.

I have been meditating seriously for over 28 years.  I have studied Zen and Buddhism for that long.  When I was a therapist, meditation was not only helpful in my coping, but it was also something that I taught to those with types of anxiety and depression.  When I became a teacher, it only made sense that I would continue or even increase my need for the art of meditation.

The type of meditation that I am talking about is really the art of finding center...becoming grounded.  It is about breathing and cleansing the mind to allow for continued interactions that are not tainted by stressors or negativity from times prior.  In other words, it allows me to make sure that I do not transfer frustration with one class or group of students to another.  It helps me when I am frustrated with peers or other adults, to clear my mind so I can be truly present with my students.

I have watched too many educators take out their anger, stress, and frustrations on students as misdirected anger. It wasn't the fault of the students that a teacher just had an argument with a peer or superior...but the students are present and thus in the line of fire and even though they don't deserve it, they pay the price for what happened before they even entered the classroom.

This is one of many reasons why I meditate at school. 

This practice is simple and quick.  I simply turn the lights down, put on relaxing and tranquil spa-like music, shut my eyes and breathe while completely clearing my mind.  Might sound too simple, but with practice, you would be surprised how much this simple practice can do for you...as it sure works for me.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Release of the Guilt

I have a bad case of the guilts.  Most of the 7th grade was out on field trip today and the ten students that stayed back...I let them kinda have free time.  I know, free time for an hour, only ten kids, while about 200 of their peers were out at a field trip...

But...

I have become so programmed to feel guilty whenever I waste even 10-minutes of valuable class time. There is always to much to do... I hear the voice of admin saying, "there are always skills and standards that can be taught or practiced in those little windows of time.  Wasting them is not an option!"

Ouch!  Boy have I become one of those that watches myself and my time with my students like a hawk.  My students and those that I sat with today certainly deserve a few minutes of rest time, fun time.  We are very near to the end of the semester.  There are many high stakes tests in the next 10-days.  It is getting near winter break and...these kids have been stuck inside for more than a month now due to weather.

Can I allow myself the release of the guilt?

I hope so.  I mean, we are teaching and tending to the whole child, right?  We are all only human.  Maybe the 60-minutes today is exactly the mind-rest needed to give them the mind-space to dig deeper into these coming tests?  Maybe they will have more energy and stamina now?  I think they will.

With responsibility and accountability sometimes comes an unhealthy lack of appreciation for self-care and taking care of self. We all need to take care of ourselves so we can do what is needed when it counts.  If we are mentally or physically exhausted, there is nothing left to give...this includes on tests.

Okay, I forgive myself.  For now...

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Inner Voice

As we are approaching the new year, I feel like I have a growing list of new expectations for the year.  It is interesting how a new year, a new school year, or even a new week gives us the so-called clean slate that we so often need to set new goals and expectations.

We get this cheerleader voice in our heads...

"This will be the year"

"We got this"

"There is no stopping me now"

As we let go of the inner voice saying...

"As soon as I finish ____, I can finally work on me"

"Once ___ is done, I can finally get to _____"

"I can't wait until ______"

Why don'y we simply put on the breaks right now, this very second, and bring about the changes that we want to happen.  We are always waiting for some type of magical starting line which somehow will propel us towards our goals because we waited until we were ready.

A new year, new month, or even a new day will not make you any more ready than you were yesterday, unless...you are doing what is needed to set in motion, these new wonderful plans or pathways to the big goals.

Who am I writing this for?

Me, of course.  It is what I needed to remind myself when I look at the calendar and say to myself, wow...only 20 more days before I can finally begin that new project.

NO!

I can start any time.  I can start right now if I let myself.  I think I will.

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy
@LevineWrites

Santa Grams

One of the benefits of being a teacher who writes is that when you can't find exactly what you are looking for as an example, you simply write it yourself.

My 7th grade students are studying the US Constitution and they are looking at current applications of the Bill of Rights.  As there have been many similar articles in the news as of late, I decided to bring this issue to our school as noted within the text.

My students were to read this article, note central idea, create a claim supported by evidence, note vocabulary, among other standards-based practice.

The article is below.

Santa Grams questioned as
Constitutional.

December 7, 2018

As school in a suburb of Chicago called Lukancic Middle School has run into trouble
due to a tradition that started many years ago.  Now the practice is being questioned
to decide if the practice is constitutional or not.

Every year, a few weeks before winter break, the Romeoville school sells Santa
Grams which are candy canes with a nice message attached.  These are messages
of good will.

Students send them to other students and teachers. Teachers also send them
to other teachers and students.  It is a sign of caring that the middle school has
come to be known for through the years. The problem? These nice messages
and candy offerings have become a topic of controversy in the community.

As there are students that practice varying religions and beliefs that attend
the school, the real question here is, “Is this practice a violation of constitutional
rights?”

There are students that attend the middle school that practice such religions that
do not follow or celebrate the Christian holiday of Christmas.  These include
Muslim, Jehovah's Witness, and Jewish Students. They have been brought up
in a religion or culture that does not recognize these days as holidays.  Is it fair to
have these students subjected to only one faith’s belief system?

People asking for this practice to be stopped have filled a petition and are
expecting this to be brought to the state Supreme Court as early as Wednesday
of this week.  They are afraid that if they wait too long, that these Santa Grams
will be sold and rights may be violated.

A spokesperson from the school has suggested that they be named something
different such as Holiday Grams.  This idea was rejected as many still felt that this
did not satisfy all groups concerned. With one final attempt at settling this in time
for the sale, there as a push to change the name to Winter Grams. Students at the
school have commented that they are not willing to change the name of the greeting
from Santa Gram unless the courts force them to do so.

________________

It is fun to be able to help my students think in terms of their own school and
community while tackling bigger issues in learning. Being a teacher who writes
allows me to do things like this...

Be Mindful.

Peace.

Mark Levine

#Mindfulliteracy

@LevineWrites