Courage Doesn't Always Roar: A Teacher's Quest to Be Better Each Day

If you were looking at an Identity Web for me right now (Sara K. Ahmed's Being the Change has been on my mind with our recent #twtblog series and a book study/ workshop I facilitated with the Long Island Writing Project), you would see the added role of "Daisy Co-Leader" as another hat (or Girl Scout tunic?) I am wearing. My daughter, Megan, is a kindergarten student and I have signed on to be her Girl Scout troop co-leader. My fabulous friend and colleague (and down the street neighbor!) is the leader of the troop and she is everything you've ever dreamed of in a Daisy troop leader- enthusiastic, creative, organized, kind, thoughtful, and ambitious. Our troop has done A LOT in our short six months together.  Last night was another Daisy event. We met up with other Girl Scouts from our town and the town right next to us for a "Paint Night." Each girl got a canvas and paints and was instructed, step by step, on how to make a snowman in a winter sc...

Same me. New year. New goals. New lessons. New revelations. New outlook. New calendar. New attitude. New priorities. New focus.  New me? Or same me but closer to the real me deep inside.  A new year feels full of possibilities, lessons, learning. I am determined to make this the year I start achieving the new goals I set for myself. In my 30's, I met all the goals I ever thought I wanted: married, children, a teacher. These were the dreams I dreamed as a child and they came true. As I inch closer to 40 (my birthday is in June), it's time to think about what do I want next? How do I want to show up as a wife, a mom, a teacher, a friend, a human? How can I be the best me possible- what does she do each day? Think? Feel? Practice?  I am using the Start Today journal by Rachel Hollis to help me focus on my dreams, goals, and the big goal I want to achieve first. My first big goal is to be at my healthy weight so I can look and feel my best. At almost 40, ...