Surrendering

Life.  You really don’t know what tomorrow will bring.

These last two years have taught me that.  However, I still struggle with

                     Surrendering!

My word for now.  And probably for a long while. Which really means to let go. At least for me it does.

When Monique and I started this post our first blog was on connectedness. Our beliefs about teaching and learning have always been about that.  I would say it may even be our superpower–that we know how to connect. It certainly is Monique’s.  I know it matters to me, so I am trying to recognize that I may be good at it. I am trying very hard to recognize the things I love about myself. And I am trying to instill the importance of that message to the people I work with. Either way being, feeling connected is certainly a priority for me.

One of the things that has saved me during this scary, uncertain time in addition to surrendering, is being able to continue my yoga practice. Actually, it has saved me the last two years. I have done yoga on and off easily for ten years now.  You know, I would dip in and out of classes.  Maybe take a class with a colleague when I am traveling for work.  Never really knowing what I was doing. Then two years ago, I went to a studio at the very tippy top of Manhattan where I lived for a year, called Mind Body Soul Yoga. There I met Stacey Linden.  The greatest yoga instructor there ever was.  At least for me.  She spoke my language.  She gave me confidence and craft to where now I can lead a yoga session.  Only with my niece mind you, but still!

Honestly though, the thing that made me fall in love with Stacey was the way she connected.  With everyone.  If you were new, she spoke to you personally before she started.  She remembers names, and little details of information about you. She loves and wants the best for you in every way.

So, when the outbreak first occurred, her studio immediately offered virtual live zoom lessons with Stacey.  I jumped on that. I got the zoom app and got on. When Stacey popped up live, and in the studio, I almost started crying.  Just seeing her presence, feeling it, feeling the love for us, even though we had a screen separating us, made things feel right.  It felt as if we were going to be okay.

If you’re interested, this is the studio’s website:

https://www.mindbodysoulyoga.com

Stacey Linden…my savior:)

So, I am relaunching our blog.  I am sorry that we’ve been away.  I have been struggling these past two years, but I am coming out of that struggle.  And with that learned a ton!  Which I want to share across our time together.

Monique has had some big life changes as well.  She moved to San Diego to open an elementary school.  She is the principal and no doubt one of the best.

I am also, launching some videos on YouTube. The link for the first one is below:

Mostly though, I want to stay connected to you.  I want to help in any way that I can.  Please let me know what you need. I would like to do a book study around Calkins’ new book Teaching Writing.  Let me know if you’re interested in that.

I am here.  I love you. And I want to stay connected.

Be and stay connected, actually,

Christy