Big Magic

It's 4:52 and I sit here, writing.

Over break, I read most of a book by Elizabeth Gilbert, Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear. It's about creativity. It's about having a vocation towards your craft, and getting yourself to do it alongside your day job - like actually sit down and do the work.

Waking up at 4:45. Staying up until 11:35. Fitting it into 20 minutes over your lunch break each day. Consistency.

Which got me to wondering if I could wake myself up a little bit earlier every day and commit to writing, even if just for a week. After all, I did set a goal of writing 100 blog posts in 2017, so may as well get to that sooner rather than later. And, no better way to up my accountability than to share it with all of you here to keep me to it.

For a good part of the school year I haven't been sitting down to write, like at all this year. I think about writing all the time, but just don't do it. This year has me stressing myself out, and so I don't write, but the ironic thing is that I *always feel better after writing. It's like sitting down to do the work actually helps me understand things better and gives me a sense of peace. So why don't I just get to it? Maybe in the evenings I'm too distracted. But at 5:08 in the morning, none of my friends are calling or texting, The Bachelor isn't on, and I'm not hungry just yet, so not thinking about food even. Now that I'm in the chair and doing this, I can see that I'm way more focused.

So here I sit, listening
to the wind chime in my neighbors yard
to the light traffic flowing on the highway a block away
to the keys clacking as I put thought to paper.

And I wonder if I can create any kind of big magic here, before work each day.

OLW & 2017 Vision

Hey Friends!
So the NYE hangover has worn off, my tree is put away and the apartment is cleaned, and so now I'm ready to share some vision I have for 2017. It's going to be a great year!

First, my One Little Word - I love using a word as an intention to drive everything I do for the year. This year...

I love this word. I think it was Brené Brown in Daring Greatly that said that so many people look at life with a scarcity mindset - there's not enough money, there's not enough great men to meet, there's not enough time in the day. Really, there is so many amazing things in this instant of a life we are given. So my goal this year is to look at all the great stuff rather than dwelling on the things I don't have. Let me break it down for you.


Abundance of Mindfulness
It's got to start here. We've got to realize that our thoughts that run on autopilot all day - they shape the way we view the world. So, they can be positive and see all that is available or negative and ruin our days. I'm training myself this year to see the positive in everything, even when I'm stressed, even when I'm pissed off, even when things aren't going my way. Buddha said, "Rule your mind or it will rule you." So much truth there.

Abundance in finances
After last year's car accident, one of my biggest goals is to create financial freedom this year. I've been on Pinterest looking up financial freedom and find pins that say things like, "Money is just energy. It flows to me and from me. This year money will abundantly flow in my direction."

Now, I'm not expecting to do nothing and have tons of money flow in my direction, quite the opposite actually. I'm putting money into savings first, then spending no more than what I have left. Picking up a few extras at school and also getting to work with Arbonne. I'm creating financial abundance this year.

Abundance in my Dating Life
As a single girl in her mid-30's (okay, slightly beyond that) it's easy to use a scarcity mindset about dating, but I choose to be thinking abundantly here, too. Lots of great guys out there. In fact, I was just at Anita's house, looking out of her 42nd floor windows at all the other windows on the high-rises, saying to a giggling friend, "Anita, look at all those condos. You know, there's tons of single guys in those windows!" So true. Cheers to an abundant dating life in 2017.

Abundance in Reading and Writing
50 books and 100 blog posts. I can do it. I love writing so much, it really helps me to understand my world better. And reading, reading teaches me tons of things I would otherwise not know. I'm unplugging from my TV and Social Media more this year so I can achieve these goals.

Abundantly Focused
How many times do you hear yourself say, "I'm really good at multi-tasking!" and there you sit, doing 14 things but not having a lot of connection with any of them? Yeah, me too. So, this year, I want to pick just a few and do one thing at a time. Do one task till it's finished, and even though it's so easy to get sidetracked and begin something new, all I want to do is finish one thing at a time. No more half-assing things. I want to whole-ass them and check them off my list.

Arbonne Abundance
Each year there is an incentive trip with Arbonne - this year it's to the Rivera Maya. If you hit the goals, you win the trip, and hit higher goals, they let you bring someone. I'm working towards that. The numbers you have to achieve in volume sound crazy, but with all the reading I've done I know that business in an MLM does not grow the same way traditional business grows. I keep my mindset and focus and I can reach this trip! Will be amazing to be on it with other positive people just like me!

Abundance in Health and Wellness
Time to start taking care of my health and wellness, too. Continuing to eat pretty clean and adding in the exercise. Beginning 2017 with no drinks in January, and getting back to the treadmill a few times a week. I feel so much better in all areas when I'm getting exercise and that will really help me achieve how I'm hoping to feel (and look!) this summer. Clean eating 80% of the time, throw in some exercise and some meditation and I'm good to go.

2017
Have you seen my vision board? A daily reminder of everything I want to accomplish this year!

What are your goals? Get some pictures, post them up, set your intentions, share it with the world. Let's make it an amazing 2017!

Cheers!

One Year Forward

2016.
Over in a flash.
Anita tells me all the time that time goes by too fast, I can see why.

I stopped setting resolutions last year. Instead, I picked a word, a One Little Word, to guide me through the year.

So in what ways did I move forward?

Career
2016 took me back to my middle school roots, and I love being with the older kids. However, it didn't unfold exactly as I had thought it may have. There were some distractions and anxiety there, too, but I have to remember I'm on year one again as a coach in a building that is new to coaching, and that in my first year as a coach at Emerson things weren't roses and butterflies, either. I've pretty much spent the last five months stressing my own self out, and I need to be done with that. It's just that I don't like to be mediocre at things, and that is how I've felt in a lot of ways this school year. So, granting myself a little grace in the coming months to close out this 14th year of teaching.

On the flip side of that was that I was nominated for a Golden Apple Award. I have no idea who nominated me - all the people I have asked have said no, so not really sure what started all that. It's kind of lengthy process, but I did all the application essays and got the letters I needed, so we'll see at the end of February if I advance to the next round. Wouldn't it be strange if the year I find I'm doubting myself the most was the year I actually moved closer to such prestigious honor? The world works in mysterious ways.

Professional Development
Finally finished my ESL Endorsement - I had done 5/6 of it in Undergrad - can you believe it? In 2003! But here in Illinois, I needed one more class, so I got that done with this semester.

I was also fortunate enough to attend the Illinois Reading Council Conference again. This year I met Ralph Fletcher and Kelly Gallagher. I know you may be thinking I"m such a nerd, but I don't even care. The two of them have shaped my teaching career in ways I can't even describe, so it was so nice to get to meet them and share that with each of them.

Dating Life
Moved forward a bit here. Met a few different guys, including a few guys I liked. Bad timing on some, Douchbaggery on other accounts, not wanting to settle on another front. But, I could have done better, too. You know, it's hard to move forward when you're looking back all the time. So, need to cut that out. I'm hopeful for a beautiful 2017 in this department, especially with my new One Little Word to guide me... more to come on that :-)

Friendships and Relationships with Family
I made so much progress moving forward with many of them. I attribute this to a lot of things, but a catalyst for it was most certainly Landmark. I am so thankful that I finally said yes to Landmark because it has made a profound difference in my relationships, most notably with my sister who I love so much.

Spirituality
Moved forward in a big way this year. Found Old St. Patrick's and was confirmed Catholic. I can't even tell you how many Sundays I found myself stressed out but sitting in the pews for the 5pm mass. Each time it's like a wave of peace washes over me. And the choir is amazing, like, I could listen to them all day. I'm so thankful to have found this community!

Finances
In some ways, this is not an area of strength for me. Definitely some setbacks, but also some progress. The setbacks have helped me to see where I need to put forth some effort. And, in the spirit of that was Arbonne. I got my first promotion in December, which should help me see a slightly larger income in the coming months. Initially I started Arbonne because I'm seeking financial freedom, but I can't wait until I have the funds I need to take care of all the people who have helped me out this year, namely, my parents. I'm so thankful for them, for their support not only financially when I needed it, but also for my emotional well being as we all know it's so easy to spin stories and make things "mean" something they really don't. (Another lesson I attribute to Landmark.) Anyways, ended the year sitting down with a financial planner and have a plan for 2017. Action - that's what makes things happen! Looking forward to more financial independence, because what I really want is to do things for the people I love most!

2017
Stay tuned for my new word, I'm so excited for it. Working on updating my vision board and doing a decluttering to start out the new year with lots of space to reach for new milestones. Amazing to think of the possibilities we can create in the short amount of time that is one year!

Did you have a OLW last year? How did it go?

Cheers and sparking wine to you on this New Year's Eve day,

Sweet Reviews on my Christmas "Fudge"

This Christmas, I made some cookies and other goodies to share with family and friends. I sent some of them off to my parents in Michigan. On Christmas, I talked to my dad, and at the end of our conversation, he said, "Oh, and thanks for the fudge!"

"Huh?" I asked him. "I didn't send you any fudge! Those were protein bars!"

"Oh, well they were good. Seemed pretty fancy, like maybe you got it in River North or something?"

I had to laugh at that, and also appreciate the review. I've been loving these protein bars for a few months. I usually have a few small ones after a salad at lunch and that helps with sugar cravings.

If you are like millions of others creating new years resolutions and healthy lifestyle is part of that, I encourage you to give these a shot. They will definitely give you a little sweetness and help you slay that sugar dragon!


Arbonne Protein Bars

Ingredients
2 Cups of Peanut Butter
1 1/4 Cup of Honey
3 Cups of Instant Oats
2 1/4 Cups of Chocolate or Vanilla Protein Powder

Directions
1. Microwave Peanut Butter and Honey for 1 minute in microwave safe bowl.
2. Mix in Protein Powder
3. Mis in Oats
4. Press into a 9 x 13 inch pan
5. Set in refrigerator for an hour or more.
6. Cut and enjoy!

Check out what makes Arbonne's Protein Powder so awesome by clicking here. What other creative things have you done with our protein powder?

Gratitude Lately

Happy Thanksgiving, friends! Hope you are set for an awesome day with family and friends. Before I get to the turkey, a little bit of gratitude on this November day.

Thankful for a five day Thanksgiving holiday, to see friends and family, to rest, to catch up, to spend time doing the things I enjoy.

Thankful for the kids I teach. I think they're so smart and talented and kind, and also, like all kids at this age, don't always get the consequences of their actions, which makes this life's work demanding and complicated, but so rewarding.

Thankful for these thankful notes our PBIS team put on, and messages from students.

The longer note reads, "Thank you Ms. Brezek for being a good teacher! I know most students do not like you, but I do. You're just really strict, but I like that about you because it keeps me on time in class and helps me do my work faster. Ok, I didn't mean "really strict." I meant you're a little bit strict. To other students you're "super strict" though. Thanks for being there to help me succeed and be a good reader and writer!"

Thankful that I continue to put myself out there in an authentic way, even if it doesn't always work out in my favor.... both in my personal and professional life. Thanks to Jennifer at Cult of Pedagogy for this, I can totally relate.

Thankful for family who is always there at a moment's notice when something goes wrong. Thankful that even though my car is smashed, I am not. (Well, hoping to be tonight, lol) :P

Thankful for Landmark Forum and it's personal/professional development sessions. It has has really shown me how to live my best life - to live more powerfully in all aspects of my life, with freedom and self-expression, and has created a greater sense of peace of mind. It's by far the best personal and professional development session I've ever participated in. Do not believe what the blogs out there say. Landmark will change your life.

Thankful for my niece, who will be my Goddaughter in April. And thankful for text messages and a shared love of Young Adult Lit.

Speaking of books - currently reading On Fire: The 7 Choices to Ignite a Radically Inspired Life. Once again I am reminded that gratitude turns what we have into enough.

Thankful for a growing family of Arbonne sisters.

Thankful for Old St. Pat's. Every time I'm there, I laugh, learn something new, and leave feeling so perfectly peaceful, which is exactly what I need on Sunday evenings.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends and family!

What are you thankful for?

On Your Birthday

Birthdays are the best.

On a birthday, you get 100 messages on facebook wishing you the best day. Sometimes they tell you that you are amazing and loyal and fun and that they're thankful to celebrate 20 years of friendship with you or that you should celebrate with drinks until you #CloseOneEyeTonight.

On your birthday, kids wait around after school to find you, just to give you some of their Halloween candy. (Which from it you take one favorite and then politely decline the rest because, let's be honest, if you take it all home, self-control goes out the window.)

On your birthday, you've already talked to your parents, because they wanted to be first and so they Facetimed you last night.

On your birthday, text messages roll in like the tide on a warm summer day, with those little balloons that are all over the new Verizon commercial. And speaking of a warm day...

On your birthday, the weather is 70 degrees. On November 1st.

On your birthday, your friends at work not only light candles and sing to you, but turn off the lights in the teacher's lounge to do so. And you feel silly and like a little kid, but you secretly love it.

On your birthday, you hear the voice of each person who writes you a card through their words. One ends with the LOVE in huge caps and hearts all over, and you can hear the way she means it, because she yells it down hallways, across classrooms, and generally speaking, when you are in her presence. And she is so full of love. And you are lucky to have her in your life.

On your birthday, a whole new group of sisters you've found via Arbonne text or leave you the most meaningful notes on facebook, telling you to keep dreaming and keep reaching towards the sky. And so even though October did not go as you expected, your faith is renewed, and reaching toward the sky you continue to do.

On your birthday, the Cubbies are still playing baseball. In November. And a birthday Grand Slam comes in the top of the third.

On your birthday, Starbucks and balloons arrive to your classroom before most people are even awake for their corporate jobs.

On your birthday, you find an unsigned note on your desk from a student... and you know that all the nagging and strictness is okay with them, and you forgive yourself for all the things you didn't get to last quarter, because they are good people.

On your birthday, the Fed Fam sends over balloons and a fruit bouquet so you can celebrate but be healthy, too. (You eat the chocolate covered strawberries first!)

On your birthday, you go shoe shopping!

On your birthday, you reconnect with your blog, because saving the moments of this amazing life is such a blessing.

And....
On your birthday, you hope all the people in your life know just how thankful you are for each. one. of. them. Yes, I mean you.

Tree Thoughts

I don't know why I am so drawn to trees, but I am.

One summer day I sat on my couch and could hear the leaves rustling behind me and I loved it so much I took an Instagram video of it.

When I wake up in the morning (when I don't have to leave early for work) the light that is cast through my kitchen and living room windows is so pretty - the light comes through the leaves outside my windows and dances around my apartment.

I love fall. (I know, so basic.) But seriously, look:

This book, of course.

And is it a coincidence that Arbonne, a product line and health and wellness philosophy I have come to love so much, means beautiful tree?

I'm drawn to art that includes trees, too. About 5 years ago at the Frankfort Fall Fest, there was this artisan who created these beautiful mosaics, and my favorite one was a tree. If only I had $300 at the time, that piece would be here on my wall at home.

And then just this week, on Twitter, I saw a tree that was part of a writing workshop, and etched into the trunk was "Writers grow together," and I am in love:

Speaking of etchings, I've always wanted to etch initials into a tree trunk with some special someone, you know, like this:

The past few days I've been racking my brain trying to figure out what it is about trees that draws me so much to them...?

Is it because living without trees in Arizona all those years has me really appreciating them?

Or maybe it's because of their roots that has them grounded firmly. The best people I know know who they are - when you go out into this crazy world, if you don't at least know yourself, you can be easily manipulated...

Which brings up another quality of trees, flexibility and bendiness. While you do have to stand for something, it's also important to be flexible enough to compromise.

Is it because the leaves change colors and fall away? Last time I had a breakup, this quote spoke to me pretty profoundly:

Or is it because the courageous few, who sometimes, step out onto that limb? Like having that hard conversation with friend or family member. Or walking up to someone you'd like to know to say hello. Or sharing Arbonne, even when people are so judgy. Putting yourself out there isn't easy, but it can definitely yield some pretty amazing results.

So this fall, as you go about your busy days, slow down to notice the trees around you. And, in a few weeks, stop by my classroom to see my Writer's Workshop Tree. It's going to be a daily reminder of all that trees bring into our lives!

Am I missing any other awesome tree references?

Leave me a comment to share them!