OSU Graduating Class of 2014

Today marks a pivotal point in my career as an Early Childhood Professor!  As I write this I'm sitting waiting for the graduation class of 2014 to take their seats, and begin their educational journey as graduates of the Early Care and Education program.  This is significant because within the graduating class are students who became staff, and students who have applied themselves educationally and embarked on a new career of being a reflective practioner.  These same students entered my classes unaware of how they would be challenged in their thinking, how we would build relationship over time, that would cause disequilibrium and create real learning connections.

As an early childhood professor, I've learned that the practical application of theory into everyday experiences changes the very work of the teacher and the student.  I look forward to watching these same students, as they change the face of the education systems that they are apart of.

My joy is that my theory of adult learning and respecting adults for the knowledge they bring to the classroom is taking shape.  The idea that we as teachers have a story to share, our story and our experiences that bring us together.  My hope and aspiration is to create a learning environment that reclaims the wonder of childhood, exploration, inquiry for the adult learner.  Igniting a new generation of teachers that naturally gravitate to wonder, reflect, and exploration as they engage young children.

Today, I see the realization

A Moment of P.A.U.S. E.

Today I chose to stop and PAUSE, and begin to write. The past few months I have placed on my weekly planning form Take time to pause and reflect and write 2 pages a day, in the hope that as I commit to 2 pages of writing my manuscripts would develop and a book would emerge. Realizing that without a vision ahead of me, the books would just continue to be an idea floating around in my head. This book is a culmination of the last 15 years of my life, and the actual documentation of how Developing People, Inc. was conceived and lived out through the everyday experiences of my life over a fifteen year period, or a decade and a half since we began to describe ourselves after a 10 year period, as a decade to document the span of time in periods rather than years. So I have been working in the field of Early Childhood Education for three decades, WOW! That's 30 years of time that has passed. I will be 4 decades and 8 years old this year(that's 48 in November, just two years away from my 5 decade mark). My how time flies. So today's PAUSE made me think of this: P- Positioned A -Aware U - Uncluttered S - Serene E - Expecting My definition of pausing is to take a moment to consider what's ahead, a breather from the hectic schedule and life happenings ahead or just completed. It takes on new meaning, when you begin to cultivate your dreams and aspirations as a writer ( yes a writer, you have just declared it in print, that you are a writer. Whoo hoo! Let the writing begin!) If you are new to my blog, my writing usually ocurrs as I'm thinking, so it brings up after thoughts, that are caaptured in the parenthesis. (If you just want the meat of the word as they say, just skip the parenthesis to get to the story.) So today, I just ended a board meeting with Early Childhood Association of Oklahoma - ECAOK and decided to take a PAUSE to write this blog. My setting is a cozy little coffee house, called Foolish Things in Tulsa, OK, located just blocks away from my meeting location. My norm is to get right back into the grind of my day, and hop back on the freeway and drive the 2 hours to home, work, workout, and the next task for the evening. Instead, today I PAUSED. My PAUSE made me think of being Positioned, Aware, Uncluttered, Serene, and Expecting. I am positioned and ready to begin my journey as a writer. My collection of books about writing, spaces for writers, how to write, how to begin, has been growing over the past 2 decades ( Smile). Have I read them all, no! Only perused them to create the perfect setting, the perfect writing basket, the perfect pens and writing utensils, the perfect collection of journals to write in, and so on. Each of those perfect means, has not yielded a writing or a book, only a collection of things for writers. I am POSITIONED! let the writing begin. AWARE The more I experience as a woman, wife, and mother, the greater I am aware of the people and things around me. Being aware is what centers my focus on my purpose an existence. Being aware keeps my sanity on most days, and makes me a better person. To PAUSE and be AWARE causes even greater perspective. This past week, I was in Rockland, Maine for a conference and took a morning meditation class. Just the simple act of presenting myself for the class, and honing in on my breathing, and body was life changing. My head was clear, my mind was focused, for that short period of the morning. Of course, when I had an opportunity to take my boys to the library what did I search for, books on Christian meditation of course. (It's on my nightstand for reading the next time I PAUSE). UNCLUTTERED This is my lifelong goal, to be uncluttered! In my thoughts, in my living spaces, my workspaces, everywhere. We will just leave it at this simple thought, instead of cluttering the page, with thoughts about uncluttering and how much work is ahead. SERENE I have discovered that when I PAUSE, it creates the most wonderful presence around me. SERENE spaces make me smile, breathe and take in what's around me. I can create it with a picture, a flower, a plant, music playing in the background. The key to being in a SERENE place is to hold on to it, even when you have to leave. Knowing that you can create it wherever you are, and whatever is going on. It's like fresh linen on your bed, with the windows open and the sea roaring in the air. It's the whiff of a home-baked muffin, or a fragrant flower like fresia's that you catch walking by. EXPECTING The greatest work of PAUSE is that it creates an expectation that something great is about to occur. We are no longer stuck in the mundane day to day interactions, but we have created a new world of opportunity. I expect great writing to occur, because I began to write today. So join my in a daily PAUSE, and reclaim your day, your hour, your moment. Selah

One Little Word 2014 - FOCUS

Today is the first day of February, and we are already in our New Year of 2014. This is the fourth that I am joining Ali Edwards for the One Little Word project. My words for the past years were "Consider This", "Grow" "Create" and this year "Focus". FOCUS Initially I thought of developing a keen focus on details and following through on task. Eliminating multitasking and really being in the moment. This involved me getting strict on myself and forcing purpose and progress on my to do list. When I think of focus now as using tools to help assist me in widening my view or idea of life, task, work, my children, and my family it allows me to grow in new ways. As I began to dig deeper and really look at my word, I discovered that the tools used to focus, such as a camera, telescope, magnifying glass, reading glasses, bring a different element to what I see and what my eyes are drawn to. Here's the definition: fo·cus noun \ˈfō-kəs\ : a subject that is being discussed or studied : the subject on which people's attention is focused : a main purpose or interest : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge; specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system b : a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons) 2a : focal length b : adjustment for distinct vision; also : the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image c : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding d : direction 6c 3: one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section 4: a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection 5a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention b : a point of concentration 6: the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake 7: directed attention : emphasis — fo·cus·less \-ləs\ adjective — in focus : having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing — out of focus : not in focus Focus. (n.d.). Merriam-Webster.com. Retrieved February 1, 2014, from http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focus The boldface parts of the definition stand out for me, and reallly speak to my ideas of being focused. join me in my journey this year as I unpack the word snad discover what it means to my daily work and activities. Happy New Year, Kelly

12 Weeks Ago

It's hard to believe that it's been 12 weeks since I began my journey to a healthy lifestyle. I have been diligent and continue to make daily strides toward creating a body that is strong, healthy, and vibrant. As I've journeyed over the last 12 weeks I have discovered more about myself than I could ever imagine. Being selfish when it comes to taking time to better your life by exercising, eating right is actually okay. Over my life ( 46 years) I have gone through many changes and the one constant in that change is me. I am the journey, I am the catalyst for change I want to realize in my life. At the core of my existence is my relationship with God, for without him I can do nothing. So join me as I share this journey and the simple steps that I've taken over the past 12 weeks. My husband, my greatest supporter has been my cheerleader, my biggest fan, and of course a critic when I step away from my goals for health and wellness. Everyday I get to choose health and life. Thanks to Bilal Konte for his dedication to creating a life of health and wellness and not just a quick fix. Join me in my journey!

Taking Risk: Lessons I've Learned

I have the opportunity to be the mother of two healthly and active boys.  That's another way of saying that they are rambuncous, busy, extremely active, need to get out and explore, BOYS!  I love writing things in the nice professional way, but sometimes the accurate picture is what works best.  I share this with you, because yesterday we went to our local park at the Midwest City Welcome Center in Midwest City, and I watched them play in new ways at the park.

This is a ritual that we have at least two to three times a month, so I often wonder does it ever get boring, or will they find new ways to explore.  As a mom, and former preschool teacher I really believe in letting children experience play on their own, creating an environment, and then letting them go at it.  I intervene when necessary, making sure they make good safe choices, are mindful of those around them, and that they stay in the designated area.  Yesterday was the same.  I watched them play from the park bench, reading my book, A Thread of Truth by Marie Bostwick periodically looking up to see what they were in to.

Here's what I saw:

What's amazing is that just a few months ago, they worked at the same feats, with caution in their eyes, and not as much fearless confidence.  This is what drew me to the topic of risk-taking.  In researching risk, it means to venture upon; take or run the change of. to risk a fall in climbing, to risk a war.  Taking risk is necessary for mastery of skill and to see what the possibilities are in accomplishing the task we are given.

I am reminded of myself in high school and a defining moment presented by one of my teaching.  As a child, I always did what I knew I could accomplish, never venturing out to the new.  As a high school student, I ran for the student council secretary, because it 's a job no body ever wanted, and I knew I would win.  I was good at it, but still it wasn't a challenge.  After a span of time, doing what we know we can do, becomes daunting, because of the lack of risk and opportunities for learning.

So, given this history and my experience, let's issue a challenge for this month, to look at your life and the amount of risk-taking that is apparent.  Join me and let's try the following this month:

• Examine your life, in each role you walk in and identify what risk you take.
• In the role, ask yourself these questions: 
• Am I a risk-taker? If so, how is it evident?  
• When I take a risk, am I forced or is it a natural path I choose?
• What happens to me when I take a risk?
• Do I avoid risk-taking?  If so, why?
• Do I choose the safe path in my role as a wife, mother, worker, entrepreneur, leader(ask yourself the question based on your roles)?
• What are lessons I've learned as a risk-taker?
• How can I encourage risk-taking in others?

Share your responses in the comment section or on our facebook page link.

#take action

Streams of Life: Creating Order in an out of Balance world - The HOME

This post was conceived  a few months ago, and is full of practical life tips that are still relevant, so today I share it with each of you.  I have many days of great downloads into my life which connect of years of study and living.  These downloads will culminate as writings( blog post, books, and volumes of manuscripts) that capture the new road ahead. 

Here's my reflections for today:

1.  Many things draw my attention on a daily basis, they excite me to create and sometimes I admit they draw me off course. When I'm off course, I can hear myself asking, "Now what are you suppose to be doing?  When I approached a new hobby, job or task it was always the knowing who you are at your core, and creating a system around you to support the work.

"Surround yourself with people who have your same rhythm."  T. D. Jakes, #OprahLifeclass

Order in our lives cannot be established until we get back to the purpose for which we were created.  If we don't know why we exist, then everything else is fruitless and wasted time.  People spend their lives trying to fit in to plans, families, workplaces, communities because innately we know that we belong to something, and we have something to fulfill. 
The key to fitting in is knowing the questions to ask.

• Am I fitting in to a place of ease and comfort? 
• Am I forcing myself where I don't fit? 
• Do I have to make some adjustments to fit in? 
• Have I been in a place too long, so I've outgrown my fit?

How do you find your purpose? 
The purpose of anything is determined by the creator, or inventor of the thing.  For me, my Creator the most high God, formed me in his image and likeness to be just like him.  He created me as a creative being, with ideas, vision, ability, gifts, and talents.  If I need clarity on who I am or the work I should perform, my creator, God is the first stop for answering any questions I might have.  He orders my life, and my work, so if I'm out of order that's the first place to begin.

This month is my birth month, so I'm committing to writing everyday leading up to my birthday, November 21st.  Join me as I fulfill my purpose as a teacher, a writer, and an author.  Simple steps lead to great outcomes.  My simple step this month is to write....

Coming Soon!

November 1 - 7, 2014
Streams of Life:  Creating Order in an out of Balance world - The HOME

November 8 - 14. 2014
Streams of Life:  Creating Order in an out of Balance world.  - The WORKPLACE

November 15 - 21, 2014
Streams of Life:  Creating Order in an out of Balance world.  - The COMMUNITY

November 22 - 28, 2014
Streams of Life:  Creating Order in an out of Balance world.  = The CHURCH

Managing our Streams

Streams of Life

     As we wrap up the fourth month of 2013, settling down from New Year plans, organizing our year ahead, mapping out our goals and wrapping up loose ends that followed us from 2012, creating a new focus for the year and walking out the vision for our lives.   The first quarter of the year, is complete, so let's take a look at how to keep everything swimming up stream, and balancing our work, our passions and our lives.  

     My recent attention has been devoted to watching interactions of people, and noting how they deal with all of the roles and responsibilities that flood their daily lives.  I've paid attention to details that I use to overlook.  Things like how we process change, how we change or stay the same during transitions in life, how children change our outlook on life depending on their developmental stage, how parents evolve through each stage of parenthood, how our past influences our present, how we become extensions of our elders and carry out their legacy without even realizing on whose shoulders we are standing.  

     So this begins, a new series called the Streams of Life:  Creating Order in an out of Balance world.  

   Our life work begins with who we are and how we influence the world around us.  I'm a strong believer that each person was created to fulfill a mission in life that was ordained from the beginning of time by our Creator, God.  The whole purpose for life is to find that direct alignment of our destiny to the daily walk we have on earth.    It sounds like a difficult task, but it's really pretty simple when we apply principles that guide our daily decisions.  So stay tune, for the series, and be sure to share it with friends, so that we enlarge our circle of friends.  #AnOrderedLife