Declaring War on Perfection

I have a deep, dark, secret that I've never shared with anyone before now. Here it goes:

*dramatic pause*
I'm not perfect.
*crickets chirping*

Seriously, I know that I'm not perfect and that no one is. But I certainly do feel the pressure to be perfect, or die trying. This belief in "perfect" has actually triggered an illness called NotGoodEnoughItus. If you have any of these symptoms, chances are you may have it too. Do you ever feel you are:

• Not good enough as a mother
• Not good enough as a wife
• Not good enough as a daughter (or son)
• Not good enough as a sibling
• Not good enough as an employee
• Not thin enough
• Not nice enough
• Not smart enough
• Not grateful enough
• Not wealthy enough
• Not saving enough
• Don't exercise enough
• Don't eat healthy enough
• Home isn't clean enough
• Home isn't stylish enough
• Just not enough

*sigh*
 But I discovered there is a cure!

I have often believed that the universe guides me by putting the book I need in my path at the right time. This time, the book came to me because of a keynote address I attended at the 2012 AMS Annual Convention. I have to admit I was not overly excited about listening to a shame researcher, and couldn't really see how she would give any insight let alone guidance to me as a Montessori teacher. However, her speech blew me away. I have never been so moved before -I actually teared up a few times! Through her research on shame, Dr. Brene Brown discovered the path to Wholehearted Living, a place of joy and acceptance. Her most recent book, The Gifts of Imperfection, is a must read! There is a book group discussion guide available on her website, so find a few friends and read it together. I recently started the e-course "A Year of Wholehearted Living", and there are many other links to interesting e-courses that I hope to take at some time.

I suggest watching Dr. Brown's TED Talks Power of Vulnerability and Listening to Shame.

Now, repeat after me:  I. Am. ENOUGH!

Experimenting

Have you tried Pinterest yet?  It is a lot of fun!  Dream board, vision board, pretty pictures -it's all in one.  You can create "boards" and add (or pin if you will) pictures you find online.

A couple things I have on my garden board:

Source: etsy.com via Candace on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Candace on Pinterest

I'm still trying to figure out how to share the boards, but as with all new shiny things -I can't get enough of it right now!  I'm just now noticing how many people are using Pinterest as I frantically search for the fab tutorial on how to use it.

Have you been doing something new lately?

Take a Peek: Empty Corner

This is a corner in my house.  Between the stairwell to the attic (repurposed as a closet as the attic is not habital) and the doorway to the bathroom, to be specific.

It is usually not this bright.  I like it because it is like a blank canvas.  Being a small house, having more storage in that corner would be nice.  The nightstand is just resting for the time being -hopefully to be transformed into something wonderful for Turtle this summer.

Since it is usually dark, a little ambient lighting and some reflective surfaces could be fun as well.  World's smallest gallery.  If I cover it with enough art work and photos then maybe I could pretend that I like the color of the walls.

I really like the idea of decorating this corner.  Its not nearly as overwhelming as designing a larger space (such as the living/dining room).  If it ends up looking silly, being a small space, it would be easy to redo.  Less pressure.  I like that!

Take a Peek: The Littlest Room in the House

My bathroom is tiny.  Other than the wee medicine cabinet, this basket is sitting on the only storage area in the room (this shelf and one above it).  There is one north-facing window, but somehow during the day it always seems light and airy. It is also a very WHITE room.

I'm beginning to like white as a decorating color (but please don't tell my husband).  I like how colors really pop against white, like the ones in my basket.  With the room being white it is also easy to change the accent color when I get tired of the blue and green theme.  Every time I look at this basket I smile.  I just LOVE the colors -so fresh, so optimistic that spring and warmer weather will return again.  Sigh.

Being the littlest room in the house you would think it would be easy to decorate.  Simple things such as shower curtains and baskets are easy.  I recaulked the sink last summer and did a fantastic job, if I say so myself. Removing the old caulk was time consuming, but it was amazing how such a simple job made my sink look like it was brand new.

This is also the only bathroom in the house, so bigger projects like recaulking the bathtub and painting need to be strategically planned.  I would love to tile the bathtub surround and I feel confident I could do that myself.  Maybe before that I will tackle some details that I find annoying, like painting the brown wood medicine cabinet that looks completely out of place in the mostly white room.  And replacing the one measly towel rack with a row of retro-looking hooks.  One detail I do love about my bathroom right now:  my shower curtain hooks! 

What detail or item in your home makes you smile?

Inspiring Cultural Curiosity: A European Continent Box

What is more appealing than a treasure box?  Especially one that is just the right size, filled with intriguing objects, and beautiful to boot!  As part of my cultural curriculum I have a few of these "treasure chests", and each one contains goodies from a specific continent.  The idea is that the youngest children can get a box out to play with the objects.  When they are a bit older, we introduce the idea that all these items come from a specific continent.  With the oldest children we identify which countries the objects came from.  It is our way of making geography tangible.  Let's take a look at the contents of my Europe box.

 

The box is a sturdy leather one with metal handles on the side for easy carrying.  I thought the Fleur de Lis motif was particularly appropriate for this box!

An overview of the contents

 

Yes, another matryoshka!  I think every Montessori classroom has one.  This particular beauty I found in a small mountain town in a shop that specialized in Russian goods.  She's beautifully hand painted and as far as I know, the only one exactly like it.  I made a drawstring bag for her to rest in to help protect the paint -she's standing on it in this picture :)

  

I found these little guys in a thrift store ($.88).  Surprisingly, they are too small for the kids to put on their own feet!  I have adult sized ones as well, but they don't fit in the box.  

I live on the outskirts of an historic district know as Czech Village.  Of course, there are lots of shops specializing in Czech and Slovak products, which is where I found this lovely wooden lady.  Her arms are strung on so they actually move!  She is patiently waiting for me to make her a resting bag as well.

  

Years ago I was given this great little ceramic tea set.  It wasn't in the box for the longest time because I couldn't figure out how to store it so the pieces didn't get broken.  After much thought I decided to make felt envelopes for each piece.  To keep the felt envelopes together I made another drawstring bag.  The kids are actually quite good at getting the tea set pieces back into the envelopes.

It is wonderful to see the students being so gentle and careful with these objects.  Children really do react differently to objects made of natural materials.  And when you place beautiful things within easy reach, they can't help but want to touch, explore and imagine!

It is almost possible to say that there is a mathematical relationship between the beauty of his surroundings and the activity of the child; he will make discoveries rather more voluntarily in a gracious setting than in an ugly one.  ~Maria Montessori

A Nun's Prayer

This prayer was brought to my attention by my pal Monika.  It struck a powerful chord with me so I knew I had to share it with you.

17th Century Nun's Prayer

Lord, Thou knowest better than I know myself, that I am growing older and will someday be old. Keep me from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Release me from craving to straighten out everybody's affairs. Make me thoughtful but not moody; helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom, it seems a pity not to use it all, but Thou knowest Lord that I want a few friends at the end.

 Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. Seal my lips on my aches and pains. They are increasing, and love of rehearsing them is becoming sweeter as the years go by. I dare not ask for grace enough to enjoy the tales of others' pains, but help me to endure them with patience.

I dare not ask for improved memory, but for a growing humility and a lessing cocksureness when my memory seems to clash with the memories of others. Teach me the glorious lesson that occasionally I may be mistaken.

Keep me reasonably sweet; I do not want to be a Saint - some of them are so hard to live with - but a sour old person is one of the crowning works of the devil. Give me the ability to see good things in unexpected places, and talents in unexpected people. And, give me, O Lord, the grace to tell them so.

AMEN

I think I shall have "Be helpful, not bossy" engraved backwards on my forehead so I see it each time I look in the mirror.  Hmmmm, come to think of it etching the phrase in the mirror glass may be more productive and less painful.  What do you think -shall we make a pact  to not grow into sour old people?

PS:  This prayer is courtesy of John Mark Ministries :)