Self Care
Today, I want to talk to you about being kind to yourself. I belong to a writing group. We meet weekly to share goals, accomplishments, work, accountability, and critique. And lately, more than enything else, my writing group has been serving plenty of encouragement and self-care reminders. (Which I desperately need.)
Like most parents and teachers, I spend most of my time giving to others. And I enjoy giving to others. But sometimes, (maybe often), I forget to fill my own tank first. In a Reiki session on Friday, I remembered what it is like to receive - and I highly reccommend it!
In my writing group, a friend reminded me of the metaphor of having to fit some big rocks, pebbles, sand, and water into a jar. If you fill the jar first with sand, water, and pebbles there is no room left for the big rocks. But if you place the big rocks first, then the pebbles, then sand, and then water, you can make it all fit. She reminded me that life is like that and we need to prioritize what is most important first, or we will run out of room. "Big rocks first," she said, "food, sleep, water."
As we get ready for the holiday season (Happy Diwali!) let's remember to take care of ourselves.
So, what are you doing for self care today? What are you doing tomorrow?
Keep singing,
☮️ ❤️ 🎼
Risa
Author
Risa Beth Cohen, M.S.Ed.
Author
Risa Beth Cohen, M.S.Ed. is an educator, singer/songwriter, and storyteller. She works with people of all ages and abilities, leading music circles and storytelling workshops. As the Founder and Creative Director of Sing into Reading, Risa is passionate about teaching literacy through music and movement. Risa holds a B.F.A. in acting from Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, and an M.S.Ed. in Early Childhood/Elementary Education from Bank Street College. In 2014, she was the Featured Teller at “Tellebration” in Toledo, Ohio. Students of all ages and abilities enjoy her music circles and storytelling workshops. In addition to teaching children, Risa is a sought-after speaker at edu-events of all sorts. Risa is an approved CKC (Core Knowledge & Competencies) Instructor, and Sing into Reading is an approved training organization recognized by the Ohio Professional Registry of the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association (OCCRRA). She has two OCCRRA-approved workshops, “Teaching Literacy Through Music and Movement,” and “Songs for a Peaceful Learning Environment.” She has taught educators and families at schools, and has spoken at conferences in many countries, including Egypt, Australia, England, and South Korea. Risa and her program, Sing into Reading, have been featured on WTOL Channel 11, NBC channel 24, 13abc, and the Toledo Blade. Risa has been called a literacy teacher “in disguise.” Her students think they just make music and have fun – and they do!
