MAKE A PLAN. DON'T QUIT.

“One day . . . or day one.” -- Anonymous

Cherokee Month of the Nut Moon

SEL:  #5 Responsible Decision-Making      

Digital Learner:  #6 Computational Thinker 

When the stars threw down their spears,

 And watered heaven with their tears.  –William Blake 1757-1827

Acceptance. After deep periods of grief and sorrow, my friend reminded me that grief has a mind of its own. Acceptance can calm the soul and produce mindfulness. As I embraced and engaged my Inner Child, I realized how perpetually sad she had become. Time to change through validating the fact that she had reason, back then, for wishing she had never been born. Children with ACES (adverse childhood experiences, Brown 2009) can struggle for decades emotionally, financially, physically, and mentally. Healing takes time with a variety of creative resources. Thank goodness we are far more aware in the 21^st century than we were in the 1950’s! Our schools and communities are now involved. Rather than stating that everything is, “Fine,” we are growing in compassion and  willingness to help others beyond ourselves.

I made a plan. I did not quit. Then, I made another plan and I did not quit. Next, I made a plan . . . My Adult says to the Inner Child, “I’ve got this. Go rest. Play with the kittens.” My Inner Child is much happier dealing with those feelings than trying to be a parentified-child tasked with taking care of grown-ups.

I have two secrets. Make a plan. Don’t quit. When my life fell apart, it was a good time to reflect on sand and stone (Madeline L’engle, 1977). I saw clearly that my career, recovery, and business were rock solid. Some of my relationships, over the last 12 years, were built on sand and dissolved. I moved on. Make a plan. Don’t quit. Make a plan. Don’t quit.

Aloha love,

Carla

 A kind word to one in trouble is often like a switch in a railroad track. . .an inch between wreck and smooth sailing.

                                                                                                                                           – Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

I am committed to being an effective member of the global digital community. Montana Cat Tales for Life-Long Learners publishes children’s picture books, for ages 4-8, on feelings and emotions, earth science, and social-emotional learning (SEL). These books work to help children understand themselves and their place in the world through animal characters and diverse human companions. They provide Learning-to-Learn Skills, sight-words, and phonics to enrich academic development.

Commitments of a Digital Citizen (2022): I am inclusive. I engage with others online with respect and empathy. I am informed. I evaluate the accuracy, perspective, and validity of online information. I am engaged. I use technology for civic engagement and to be a force for good. I am balanced. I prioritize my time and activities online and offline. I am alert. I know how to be safe online and create safe spaces for others.  digcitcommit.org  ISTE.org   

The 5 SEL Competencies:  Self-Awareness, Social Awareness, Self-Management, Relationship Skills, and Responsible Decision-Making. CASEL.org

The 7 Competencies for Technology in Education: Empowered Learner: I use technology to set goals, work toward achieving them, and demonstrating my learning. Global Collaborator: I strive to broaden my perspective, understand others, and work effectively in teams using digital tools. Digital Citizen: I understand the rights, responsibilities, and opportunities of living, learning, and working in an interconnected digital world. Creative Communicator: I communicate effectively and express myself creatively using different tools, styles, formats, and digital media. Knowledge Constructor: I critically select, evaluate, and synthesize digital resources into a collection that reflects my learning and builds my knowledge. Computational Thinker: I identify authentic problems, work with data, and use a step-by-step process to automate solutions. Innovative Designer: I solve problems by creating new and imaginative solutions using a variety of digital tools. ISTE.org  

Disclaimer for Blog This site cannot and does not contain social-emotional learning (SEL) or technology in education advice. These materials are provided for general informational and educational purposes and are not a substitute for professional advice on any particular concerns or circumstances involved. This Blog: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone! aims to share ideas and best practices, in good faith, only. Any information sent to Carla Chapin, or to Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, LLC, through the website, Internet, or email is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis. The original content of the websites Carla Chapin, Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, LLC and the Blogs: Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) For Everyone!  and Montana Cat Tales For Life-Long Learners, are copyrighted materials and are subject to the restrictions and protections set forth in the Copyright Act.