Simplificar: To Simplify

Minimalism:

Here is an idea that has been floating around in my head for the last few months. Minimalism. The idea of, essentially, less. Less of everything that weighs you down, with the hoped-for end of leaving you with more of the things you love. Essentially, less of everything consumerism says you should want in exchange for more of the pleasures you cannot buy.

Less:
Clothes
Commitments
Paper
Junk
Clutter
Stuff
Useless items
Furniture
Decorations
Luxuries

...while some of these may be difficult to give up, the idea is that you gain...

More:

Peace of mind

Space in your home/room

Intentionality about your life and your things

Ownership of what is left (versus your stuff owning you)

Natural beauty, opportunities to enjoy it

                                        ...and most of all...

TIME! (for things like)

Being with your kids

Chasing your personal passions

Reading a good book

Being with your spouse

Prayer

Exercise

Cooking wholesome meals

Personal development and learning

Reflection

Building lasting relationships

Things with MEANING (aka not watching TV) 

...essentially everything you have always wanted time to do but never have managed to find room for....

This is a totally new idea to me (and in confession only slightly because of our house decree to "live simply"). If I had to guess, I'd wager this curiosity comes from a dissatisfaction with the material world and the realization that things don't make you happy. Meaningful work, important relationships, and learning make me happy. People can adapt to living with a lot less that I have had most of my life. I am in no way ungrateful for what I have been given and I am not saying everyone should do this. I have just found a personal road to Christ's calling to us to leave behind our material items (or at least some of them) and find a search for meaning outside of what consumerism and advertising dictates is "happiness."

Enseñar: to teach

teaching, a wildly vivacious verb

to form

to mold

to discipline

to respect

to attempt

to fail

to reflect

to change

to discern

to learn

to grow

to prune

to nurture

to provoke

to correct

to mentor

to guide

to accompany

to love

to teach

to be

I am these verbs, I am a teacher. It is not my job, my vocation, or my passion.

It is my entire being. It is my identity. It is my soul.

 

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Luchar: to struggle

What better word for this half year of teaching that I have made it through so far. Struggle. There have been excellent moments, and there have been some I'd rather not repeat. Being a first year teaching is very difficult, especially in my second language. There are time when I know I could do a better job if I were teaching in English and not being at my best is frustrating; however, the challenge of it all is so much more beneficial to me (even if I admit it through gritted teeth). Unfortunately, being a first year teacher is just part of the deal, you have to start somewhere. As ALL professional teachers can tell you, it is tough, but if I just keeping preparing myself mentally I usually can accept the fact I am not as good now as I will be in 10 years and can move on.

 

Below I would like to take you through a picture journey of our year so far... here we go.

 

Begginings:

Donations:

 

Learning:

(I love this learning wall, it is such a visual way to see what we have covered so far this year!)




Vocabulary and Concepts:

The Chittlins/Chiquitos/Rugrats:

(ven diagram the first graders did of instruments that make high/low sounds... or both)

 

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