Intentions

Wake up and set a doable intention for the day.  That's the guidance from Deborah Schoeberlein in Mindful Teaching and Teaching Mindfulness: A Guide for Anyone who Teaches Anything.

Decide to simply pay attention to what you're doing for a few moments while brushing your teeth in the morning, or intend to really savor at least a couple of bites of breakfast.  Schoeberlein also suggests setting one additional intention for later in the school or work day.  For example, when my first class begins I'll consciously take a deep breath before beginning.

'This is too simple or hokey to have any value,' some will say.  O.K.  But from my experience, it really helps.  Since I started reading Schoeberlein's book a few weeks ago, I've been practicing this intention setting.  Keeping the intentions simple, focused, and really within reach is encouraging because I actually do it.  It's a valuable baby step forward in growing awareness.  And it's encouraging motivation to keep at it.

Like New Year's resolutions, our intentions have a tendency towards grandiosity, suggests Schoeberlein.  So her sound advice is to really start small and focused.  Again, my experience affirms her suggestion.  I sometimes unintentionally set myself up for failure by setting massive goals that are tough to achieve.

So if you care to join me, try right now or tomorrow morning setting one or two very specific and manageable intentions for your day.  It might encourage you to do it again.

Starting with Awareness

Learning is about paying attention.

So if we're setting out to help students learn - or to grow ourselves - we must start with awareness. True teaching and learning about anything requires some cultivation of mindfulness, some cognizance of what we're doing and what surrounds us. Awareness of what's around and within is a solid foundation for understanding and learning.

Here's a super-simple 20 second welcome to this blog which explores my experiences and new learning about mindfulness in ecological learning: Sit or stand (or whatever) at your screen right now and simply follow one breath as it enters through your nose or mouth, fills your lungs, and then exits your body. Just notice where your body tenses or relaxes, and pay attention to what your mind may be thinking or processing.

Sweet! Thanks for taking a tiny step forward with me!

I welcome you to learn along with me.