I have a friend...

I have a friend…

We have spent so much time together that we can finish each other’s sentences, move easily from one topic to another, talk on any subject and I even know what she is likely to order in any given restaurant.

We differ on political matters, organized religious matters and some social justice issues and yet I feel that our souls are, in some way, “created from the same block of clay”. (Albom, 2013)

There are very few things that I wouldn’t do for this friend and I can only hope that you too, have a friend.

Thank you my friend.

~ Ellyn

The First Agreement

Let my word be impeccable. The word that I write, think and utter. About myself and others.

I’m rereading The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz and I am once again struck with awe. It has been many years since I first read this little, albeit powerful, book and is the only book that I know of, that my husband has read twice. I am encouraged by my daughter asking me about it. Encouraged because, she is in her first year of University, studying Commerce and when she told me that the Dean mentioned that it is his favourite book, I was taken aback but warmed by the notion. Encouraged to know that someone who is business minded is also honouring his spiritual side. Encouraged to know that my daughter will continue to surround herself with people who inspire her to use her gifts and talents for good in this world.

And so, today, when the little book called to me, I once again am making a commitment to use the power of my word in gratefulness, for truth and for love.

“Today is a good day for a good day.” - Savannah Simon

~ Ellyn

A Privileged Life...

I live a privileged life.

I have spent the majority of my life, in some sort of capacity, with children. Gratefully.

For me, yesterday was just another Saturday in just another gymnasium, spent enjoying young basketball players immersed in a passion for sport. As it has been over the years, I observed parents enjoying that their children have this opportunity for camaraderie mixed with competition. Some parents see their children as little selves and want desperately for those little beings to be the best and to entertain them, while others just let everything go and let their children experience. I am not saying that one way is right or wrong, but that it just is.

And then, like it is every so often, I get to notice grace. I was privileged to be on the outskirts of a dialogue between a father coach and a child player, whereby the father made certain that the child was playing her game for herself, and that it was just that. Her game, not his, and that she could take this game with her team anyway that she chose. He wanted to be sure in a very quick few seconds that she was not playing to please him. A lovely moment in time.

I live a privileged life.

~ Ellyn

Courage

It is only on the rarest of occasions that I lose sleep at night, the thoughts that infrequently waking me being those surrounding the well being of a child, even if that child is now 6’5” and 170 lbs.

Last night, a friend of mine told me that her well-educated, accomplished and highly employable son, quit his job. He absolutely could not stand going to his place of employment every day. Although his work filled a void for a time, offering him the opportunity to purchase assets and feel financially settled, he hasn’t enjoyed it for a long time.

Our accrued assets and financial freedom only lasts so long before one’s gut aches, or physical and emotional conditions associated with the deep unhappiness that one actually feels inside, begin to manifest. I do not think that the building up of assets is a bad thing, nor do I believe that we should undervalue our material life but we have to be careful not to overvalue it.

Last night I woke up because I was thinking about him and how I would like him to know how courageous I think he is. I feel in the same way that Jean Stapleton’s character, Birdie Conrad, from You’ve Got Mail espouses; that he is “daring to imagine something else” for him and although it may be frightening, it is also freeing. My thoughts envelop this brave young man knowing that even if he chooses to enter back into the profession that he has prepared for, he will go into it in a much more settled and healthy manner.

~ Ellyn

Perfection Here & Now

“Every day was a perfect day and every night was peaceful.” E.B. White’s lovely words from Charlotte’s Web warmly emerge from my being, today and often during the summer.

Ever since my son Max began working through his summers, I have found it difficult to plan a family summer vacation, and I am not interested in traveling anywhere without my children, yet. The first two summers that he worked away from home and for a wage, he was able to leave work one week before school started. Unfortunately, we didn’t know that until then. We did take some last minute, very cool teen inspired eco trips, highlinging and ziplining, camping and always throwing in a stage production, or two. 

This morning, as every morning, and while enjoying my beyond fair trade, dark roast, full-bodied and richly aromatic Thai coffee, on the verandah, it occurred to me that my favourite summer resort is right here in our yard. With a well-used fire pit for evening relaxation and pleasure, surrounded by a variety of mature trees that Brent’s mom and dad established, a hot tub for cooler evenings underneath the stars, scattered and wild perennial beds that fill my life with mostly green, the colour with which I am so drawn to, an outside area where I can always find a spot free of the elements, Max’s zipline and Jillian’s basketball court and with my babies that are not so much babies anymore, coming and going…

 

My summer life is complete.

As Jillian and I spend time touring around to different Universities, and I am aware of the reality that she too will be gone from here soon, I find myself spilling over in gratefulness for the life that we have created. Do I want to keep creating this as my favourite summer resort? Maybe, but maybe not. What I do know is that it is perfect right here, right now.

I invite you to share with me, where it is that you find yourself during the summer? Where is your favourite summer resort?

~ Ellyn

A walk back to the hot tub where
perennials are on top of perennials
and softly clean soil meets green...

A Hopeful Activity Desired

I had an interesting discussion with my students today about complaining and if there is a purpose to the act. I asked them to conceive affable solutions rather than complain about definite outcomes, and was frightened by their overall inability to see that a change is not only inevitable but also necessary and that change doesn’t have to be bad.

They are young, amazing people in grades 4, 5 and 6 and I guess I thought that I would be pleasantly engaged in a hopeful activity with them. Alas, I was not.

I invite you to assist me with some activities that might help me to help them look for the good first in all of the changes that befall them so that I might better prepare them as well as prepare the world for these wonderful kidlets that will soon be our leaders…

~ Ellyn

Mrs. Schaffner's App of the Week!

Although my life has become much more full than I had anticipated it becoming, I am absolutely in love with teaching children from my community in grades 4, 5 & 6. These amazing students fill my life with interesting and valuable experiences every day. Following a very rich session at our Teachers' Convention surrounding useful apps in education, I am introducing the kids to a new app each week. This week, I have reacquainted myself with Animoto® and the students are working at making book trailers to invite others to read books that they have loved. Thanks to Heather and Terry @Links2LearningOnline for sharing their "Appy" Hour Padlet and for all of the tips and tricks offered. Stay tuned...

CATCHING FIRE