Monthly musings: July
So, it’s jog on July and ‘allo August.
I’ve said goodbye to the busyness of school and am enjoying the change in pace as I make the most of the holidays.
July has been more rain than radiance – but the sun made an appearance (finally) and I still managed to have a little fun and created my own sunshine along the way when I needed to.
Here’s a round up of my favourite bits…
New things for Shimmer Within
🌸 200 WordPress followers 💛💛💛
🌸 Black Cat Blue Sea and The Sunshine Blogger Award
🌸 I Don’t Need You to Like Me! was mentioned on A Kinder Way‘s posts of note series and Neematdiary reblogged Kindness is Always Fashionable – thank you!
Best of #itsthelittlethings
My favourite posts
🌸 One simple truth you need to increase your happiness
🌸 I don’t need you to like me!
My favourite thoughts
Blogs I think are worth checking out
Looking forward to next month
🌸 New monthly challenge for August – it’s poetry…but not as you know it!
🌸 Using the holidays productively to create awesome content for you lovely people
🌸 Going out and about with my camera
Thank you for all the lovely comments on my blog and social media. It’s been another amazing month that has seen my tribe grow. I love connecting with you all.
One final thought to leave you with.
Always remember…
What was lovely about your July? I’d love to know in the comments below…
Nicky xo
It’s the little things 31/07/16
It’s the little things that cause me to pause in the mundane and take stock of the beautiful moment.
Here’s a round up of some of the moments that have made me smile this week.
This week, remember to notice the good stuff.
In the words of Khalil Gibran
“In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed.”
Nicky xo
Why You Should Say Thank You to Children
Anyone who works with children will understand the roller coaster ride of emotions you experience over the course of a school year.
Whilst I love my job, working with children can make you feel tired, sad, worried, stressed, daunted, unfunny, a failure, out of touch, old, emotional and rubbish at your job.
Sad but true.
However, you learn so much when you work with children. You get to see things from their many perspectives – straightforward and complicated, innocent and streetwise, selfish and caring.
I’ve learned over the years to take children just as they are.
By adopting this approach you allow yourself to see the world through their eyes. Not to judge them, but to understand why they may behave a certain way, gain insight into their experiences of life so far and to appreciate the little things they do in all their simplicity.
Here are a few examples of the wonderful moments I’ve noticed when with children:
Excitement – is what you experience when say you will get the Lego out during wet play
Generosity – is being given ten drawings by the same child
Happiness – the face that literally lights up when you thank them for something they did
Motivation – children working together to tidy up quickly so we have time for a game
Creativity – 30 children, a whole afternoon, plain old white paper and a box of crayons…
Compassion – half the class offering to take the child who has fallen over to first aid
Appreciation – the handmade card at the end of the year
Humour – because kids are funny. Period
Wisdom – need to know anything about Minecraft? Ask a child.
Courage – for some, just showing up every day
Friendship – navigating the trials and tribulations of the school playground
Confidence – anyone can blossom with a little support
It is a privilege to work with children and young people. Hard, but a privilege none the less.
So I want to say thank you to all the amazing children out there.
I never miss an opportunity to say it, and I want you to say it too.
Children are fabulous educators and the positives far out way the negatives.
Thank them for all they are teaching you.
Share your stories of what lessons children have taught you below. I can’t wait to read them.
Wordless Wednesday
The Shimmer Within Her 