Teacher as Transformer

Make Music with Your Life

Posted on December 13, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Bob O’Meally wrote this poem. As I read it, it reminded me whatever I choose in life, it is music. I am grateful for creative spaces as a learner and teacher. They provide music in my life.

I left the poem on the left margin to stress the way the poet formatted the poem.

Make music with your life
a
jagged
silver tune
cuts every deepday madness
Into jewels that you wear

Carry 16 bars of old blues
wit/you
everywhere you go
walk thru azure sadness
howlin’
Like a guitar player

20 Comments

Posted in Education, Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged Bob O'Meally, creativity, education, Mindful Practice, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on December 12, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

The way I understand my life is an essential aspect of my growth. If I see failure in this moment, as an opportunity to grow, that is its own reward.

7 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Lasting Change

Posted on December 12, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I began writing this a couple of months ago. Each day, I feel increasingly certain lasting change begins and ends with me. I am unsure what that will mean, but am more able to hold the tension in the uncertainty that surrounds that certainty. This is the paradox of life.

I change–

Proceed patiently,

Wisely,

Prudently,

Trust new road signs

Set aside vanity,

Proceed without ego

One that demands others change

And the me remains unchanged.

Real change–

Change of substance–

Feels glacial,

Is worthwhile,

Invites me on the journey

Casts a new light

Softly, oh so gently

Shines outwards.

Be present in each moment.

What I seek finds me–

No search required;

Sit and await its arrival–

It will be on time

Cease the chase,

The hunt concludes–

Rest in this moment

Only its reality exists.

9 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged creativity, Mindful Practice, poetry, spirituality, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on December 11, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

This quote is worthy of consideration. When we stumble, can we get back on our feet. It reminds me of the Zen saying (I believe) that success is falling 7 times and getting up 8. Self-efficacy and having support around us is so much more than a fall sense of self-esteem which sinks into narcissism quickly.

14 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Unmanaged, Fully Lived

Posted on December 11, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I find I want certainty, but it is impossible to orchestrate. Life is a series of complex, chaotic, messy events and relationships that defy the logic. Life is not unplanned. I need to be awake and attentive for moments outside my plans. What do I do then?

I engineer life,

Manufacture it

Driven–

Overstimulated–

Drown in options

To what end–

I ask.

Try and manage,

Plan,

Organize,

Pursue material wealth–

Seek false power

An ego massage

But no real choices.

One choice–

Live life,

Experience it fully;

Dig deep,

Find what animates

Sow seeds,

Be patient.

Tend barren ground–

Await the richness and bounty–

Trust what emerges

These are the real gifts–

Not easily found,

But always near at hand–

Unmanageable life

But fully liveable.

14 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments and tagged creativity, eloquent questions, Mindful Practice, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on December 10, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

A great way to begin the day and the week.

The Lotus of Fire

Rules for 7S- four line poems, syllable counts 1,2,3,1- the poem will have to make an impact-psychological, sensual or otherwise.

View original post

8 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

Lost

Posted on December 9, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

David Wagoner wrote this poem. It reminds me, as I enter Sabbath, there is a need to be still, to be quiet, and listen attentively. It is in the quiet I hear answers and sometimes those are new questions without the certainty of a ready answer I sought. Those answers sought are often formed before the question is posed.

Stand still. The trees ahead and bushes beside you
Are not lost. Wherever you are is called Here,
And you must treat it as a powerful stranger,
Must ask permission to know it and be known.
The forest breathes. Listen. It answers,
I have made this place around you,
If you leave it you may come back again, saying Here.
No two trees are the same to Raven.
No two branches are the same to Wren.
If what a tree or a bush does is lost on you,
You are surely lost. Stand still. The forest knows
Where you are. You must let it find you.

13 Comments

Posted in Mindful Life, Poetry, Reflective Moments, Sabbath and tagged creativity, David Wagoner, Mindful Practice, nature, poetry, teacher as transformer. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on December 8, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

Something I work at very hard is being compassionate with my self. It has been hard work. I am my harshest critic and rarely ever a cheerleader. These past few months I am finding a balance.

6 Comments

Posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.

More Awards

Posted on December 7, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

I received awards over the past week or so. I am quite forgetful sometimes and I apologize for the delay. I apologize in advance because I know I missed someone who is worthy of an award.

I extend gratitude to Mary Clever, Otrazhenie, And Life Smiles, 4 Writers and Readers, and Chef Doru for the Very Inspiring Blog Award.

Chef Doru also awarded the blog The Sunshine Blog Award.

The Rules are:

1. Display the award logo on your blog.
2. Link back to the person who nominated you.
3. State 7 things about yourself.
4. Nominate 15 other bloggers for this award and link to them.
5. Notify those bloggers of the nomination and the award’s requirements.

I coached ice hockey for almost 35 years and some former players made it to the NHL.
My first language, although I don’t use it much anymore, was French.
I am a teacher. My major is Physical Education which surprises few. My minor is French.
I taught kindergarten for two days and believe every kindergarten teacher is a saint.
Kathy and I met in a pub.
I am very lucky to have met Kathy.
My favourite TV show now is the Big Bang Theory. I laugh heartily.

I chose blogs that I have not sent out awards. 15 blogs I follow that I am going to pass this on to are:

A Grateful Man Russ brings some kindness and truth into my life each day.

tuttacronaca I don’t read Italian so am not sure what the text is about, but the pictures are great.

Source of Inspiration There is incredible poetry and images on this site.

Nae’s Nest is from a survivor who shares her story in poetry and images of various forms.

Elena Caravela is an incredible artist with assorted interests and skills.

Ese’s Voice shares thoughts, memories, and adventures.

Jaz shares music and Buddhism

Luggage Lady shares poetry as she reflects on various aspects of life.

On the Plum Tree is an author who is trying a new approach to publishing.

The Essayist is sharing essays about various topics that matter.

Candid Impressions mixes words with pictures and words that bring the two together.

Toe Mail is what it is. You have to visit to fully appreciate the work being done.

Sharmishtha Basu is a great set of sites of various forms of writing and art.

Meiro shares her thoughts of life and music.

The Secret Keeper shares many different writing elements it is impossible categorize the writing, but it is about finding truth.

32 Comments

Posted in Awards, Blogging, Community, Writing and tagged awards, big bang theory, blogging, community, teacher as transformer, writing. Bookmark the permalink.

Posted on December 7, 2012 by ivonprefontaine

This is a poetic and spiritually uplifting way of understanding. Rules should be big enough to guide us and small enough to shelter us. There is room in these rules to create the spaciousness.

Lvsrao's Blog