Monday, February 18, 2013

The Four Agreements

About 10 years ago, I read the book, The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz. It was an amazing, introspective book that is to support love and happiness in your life. Think of how we express ourselves and what comes "flying out of our mouths" sometimes. The author, Don Miguel, says by practicing the Four Agreements, we will face challenges, yet find happiness in our lives. I wanted to share the Four Agreements with you!

The Four Agreements are:

1. Be Impeccable with your Word: Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using the Word to speak against yourself or to gossip about others. Use the power of your Word in the direction of truth and love.

2. Don’t Take Anything Personally
Nothing others do is because of you. What others say and do is a projection of their own reality, their own dream. When you are immune to the opinions and actions of others, you won’t be the victim of needless suffering.

3. Don’t Make Assumptions
Find the courage to ask questions and to express what you really want. Communicate with others as clearly as you can to avoid misunderstandings, sadness and drama. With just this one agreement, you can completely transform your life.

4. Always Do Your Best
Your best is going to change from moment to moment; it will be different when you are healthy as opposed to sick. Under any circumstance, simply do your best, and you will avoid self-judgment, self-abuse, and regret.

Think about it!

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

Staying Committed!!

Well I have been away for awhile....life has been hectic! I lost my focus, my commitment, for a bit, but back at it now! I am committed to providing some educational insights for you that might benefit you in your teaching AND in your life.

The Webster dictionary defines commit as "to put in charge or trust," "to carry into action deliberately," "obligate, bind" and "to pledge or assign to some particular course or use." That is a pretty heavy duty word!!!

In our lives we are committed to our partners, to our kids, to our family, to our community, to our work, to our colleagues....we have SO many commitments, it is easy to become overwhelmed in our lives. And all of these commitments are made at different levels, focusing on one or more, all at once, or focusing on them at different times dependent on what is going on in our lives. Being committed is doing whatever is necessary to fulfill or accomplish something.

In our jobs, we have to focus on the purpose of our work in order to be committed. What is it that we do that drives us? What is it that we do that gives us meaning? What is it that we do that makes a difference?

Sometimes staying committed in our teaching jobs can cause conflicts with others and within ourselves. We work hard, do our best, and yet in this economy, our jobs may be on the line every day. But if we believe in what we are doing, we have to stay the course, no matter what! Continue to grow and enhance your professional skills.

If you are a new graduate and/or have not been able to find a teaching position after being out of school for a few years, are you still committed to the field of teaching and finding a job? What does that commitment look like? Looking at the job search as a challenge rather than a roadblock to your career might help you continue your pursuit. Be determined to keep looking for that first job! Develop an action plan that can guide you on this quest.

Commitment means ACTION. What actions are you taking?