I must say that it was much easier to choose 40 photos than to choose 40 posts! One of the fun things about this particular journey is that I allowed myself to write (or post photos) about whatever I felt on any particular day. As a result, I have a wide array of followers who each connect in different ways to what I write – this has been amazing. I imagine that in the future, as I become a bit more focused, I may have a less diverse group of readers, though I hope not!

Here is my top 40 list of posts, hopefully as eclectic as my readers are. Some I chose because of the importance of the content, some because they make me laugh (yes, I realize that I have a weird sense of humor that others do not always appreciate) and some because I like the way the words flow. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: blog, blogging, Education, inspiration, Photography, Writing

Today was one of those days…. I started the day with 58 emails in my inbox (a low number for me) and seemed to have an inordinate amount of complaints and issues arise throughout the day. I answered email after email for most of the day, communicating with concerned parents and teachers re:a variety of issues. I sent out at least 60 emails, maybe it was closer to 75 or 80, and at the end of the day my inbox still had 64 emails I need to respond to…. Yes I responded all day and the number grew!!! I was, for lack of a better analogy, chained to my desk for hours as I assisted many with their concerns. I definitely felt a bit more like a complaint department than an educator. Of course, all I really wanted today was to be out in the classrooms and with the teachers and the students – these moments are sometimes hard to come by as an administrator – the tyranny of the urgent replaces the important as small fires of concern need to be extinguished (when I want to be out there helping to light fires of desire to learn!) Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: Education, Photography, principal, School, teacher, Writing

Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law – for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. ~ President Barack Obama Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: barack obama, DOMA, Gay, gay rights, Lesbian, lgbt rights, Marriage Equality, obama, Prop 8, Writing

The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly. ~ Buddha
The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it. ~ Thich Nhat Hanh
Each of us is the best we can be when we are fully present, focused yet relaxed, curious yet non-judgmental, committed yet flexible. ~ John Kuypers
The point of power is always in the present moment. ~ Louise L. Hay Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: disconnect, in the present, Photography, present moment, social media, Writing

When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat. ~ Ronald Reagan
When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat. ~ Nelson Mandela
I am a leader. Leaders always get heat. They’re always going against the grain. Jimi Hendrix got heat; Bob Marley got heat; Miles Davis got heat. Every great artist got heat. Heat means you’re doing something right. ~ Ziggy Marley Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: anger, counseling, heat, Photography, Relationships, therapy, Writing
Today I saw a really cool Christmas tree. I live in a city where there is less commercial influence (yay!) and it seems that we are not always as up-to-date on new merchandise than some. So, needless to say, I thought it was SOOO COOL when we discovered a fake, snowing, Christmas tree. Perhaps you have seen many of them? This was a first for my family and we had fun watching it!

~400daystil40
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Tags: Christmas, Christmas tree, holiday, Photography, Writing

Pain is a funny thing, isn’t it? I am referring to physical pain, not emotional pain. I have noticed a few interesting things about physical pain, I wonder if you have noticed too…….. Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: attitude, healing, health, mental health, pain, painless, photos, Writing

We are ready for winter – we want to bundle up in our warm sweaters and put our feather comforters on our beds. Instead, we walk outside, and the following is the picture we see – it appears that we are still slowly making our way through autumn/ fall. I LOVE the colors of autumn, but I really want the nostalgic feeling that winter brings, particularly those bundled up, warm feelings. Those feelings that come when you wrap a fuzzy blanket around you and sip hot chocolate and read a book as the rain pours down outside.
Hmmmmm, at this rate, what is the chance of a snow day this year?
Today, 84 days ’til 40, I am thankful for the beauty of the seasons, even when their timing is not the timing I want!
~400daystil40
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Tags: autumn, Fall, leaves, nature, photos, weather, Writing

Adopt the pace of nature: her secret is patience. ~ Ralph Waldo Emmerson
I have just three things to teach: simplicity, patience, compassion. These three are your greatest treasures. ~ Lao Tzu
A man who is a master of patience is master of everything else. ~ George Savile
Genius is the eternal patience. ~ Michelangelo Read the rest of this entry »
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Tags: gratitude, patience, Photography, thankful, Writing