There is one topic has not been addressed in NTI. Starting this week of Spring Break I have thought about this subject a lot. It is actually a Biblical principle. What is that topic? If you read my title, you know the answer. We must consciously take actions to preserve our physical, mental, spiritual, social, and emotional well being. I don't know about the rest of you, but I have clearly flunked in this category since starting NTI.
I read an oye-opening book a few years ago called, Margin - Restoring Emotional, Physical, Financial, and Time Reserves to Overloaded Lives, written by, Richard A. Swenson, M.D. In it he said that just as each page in a book has a margin around the edge, our daily lives need many kinds of reserves or we will experience overload and pain. I have gone bankrupt of rest, relaxation, and enjoyment over the past ten months. I am dedicating this week to getting caught up on NTI homeworkand doing taxes but also to sleep, exercise, eat healthy, read my Bible and pray more, enjoy my friends and family, work in my house and yard, ride the motorcycle with my husband, sing, shop, and what ever else I find enjoyable to do. Dr. Swenson would be proud. I look forward to being proud of myself when it is all done.
Oh Joyce, your thoughts are so true. To preserve and keep a balance in our physical, mental, spiritual, social and emotional well being this year has been impossible! We have all suffered and lost in these areas and I as well as others will be glad when this year is over. NTI has been very much worthwhile and I would not have survived in the classroom without NTI. This week break is well deserved and needed. Enjoy and get prepared for the last leg of the journey to the finish! MikeM.
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with you. The week before Spring Break I felt as though I did not want to teach any longer because it had become all-consuming. The rest of my life was slipping away as I tried to make everything perfect in my classroom. I had my spring break this past week and I have to say that it did me good. I worked on school stuff until Monday afternoon and then headed to the beach to enjoy the week with my family. I needed that retreat. Now I'm ready to head back to the classroom. Hopefully after NTI, teaching won't be so consuming.
ReplyDeleteThis spring break is well deserved for everyone in NTI. I hope you get all your things accomplished that you wish too. Have a great break!
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