Thursday, December 31, 2020

2020 in Hindsight

What are the blessings you discovered in 2020?  In her book Onward, Elena Aguilar discusses the benefits of finding the "bright spots!"  When you look for the light in 2020, what do you see? The charms on this bracelet explore some of the Broams' Blessings for 2020. It's a bangle and a yoga practice all in one.🧘

Mermaids🐠 -- Like a mermaid, we "lost our legs" and had to move in new ways!  What did you do in a new way that was surprisingly a better fit for you.  Our family established a 6:30 dinner time that seems to bring more of us together consistently each evening.  That's an unexpected blessing I've truly appreciated.

From a tall seated position, bend the knees and let the lower legs and feet stretch to one side.  Twist the tall body in the direction of the feet to admire your beautiful mermaid or merman tail!  Change the direction of your legs and try the stretch on the opposite side to examine the tail from this point of view as well.


Camera📷 -- What photos did you snap in 2020?

Sit comfortably and be still and quiet and you review your memories of this past year, like clicking through the digital photos on your camera roll.  Sit for 30 sec, 1 minute, 3-5 minutes or more!


Stories📖 -- I've read so many books and binged movies and tv shows too.  What characters did you enjoy?  What did you learn?  What made you laugh?  Which were most satisfying and you would share?

Still seated, now with feet together, use the thumbs to open your feet like the pages of a book.  Press the thumbs on the soles of the feet and move in circles.  Give yourself a little self-care, foot massage.


Feet👣 -- Did you exercise in 2020?  I was able to get more walking in -- I walked over 500 miles this year! Only 11 walking miles were logged pre-pandemic (early March) . . . We also biked and paddled.  I yoga-ed and exercised in the water too.  I've missed group fitness experiences, but it's been good to be on the move and have the time to do it.

Roll through your seated position to work some cat/cows.  From table position, find downward facing dog and pedal the feet to stretch the backs of your legs.


Tree🌳 -- I enjoyed being outdoors!  For social distancing, we learned it was the best way to visit.  When J's goats were born, I had a couple friends bring lawn chairs! It was fun to chat and be outside together.

Walk your feet to meet your hands in forward fold.  Walk your hands up your body to stand tall and set up for Tree pose.  Choose one foot to balance on!  Grow roots into the ground with the foot, really feel the floor.  Take the other foot and prop it on top of your balancing foot or press like a kickstand to the ankle.  You could also bring up to the low leg or thigh.  Just don't press on the knee joint.  Lift your arms to reach your branches high! Every time you wobble, squeeze your tummy tighter.  Try it on both sides of your body.


Joy -- Joy is more than happy.  Joy can be experienced in sad or difficult moments too.  Our church continues to flourish online.  It's difficult not to be together as a church family on Sunday mornings, but ministry continues despite the restrictions of the pandemic.  Thank you to Pastor Stephen who produces "Word for Wednesday" videos now, and Deacon Deborah who creates church "take out" boxes with activities for VBS, Advent, 12 Days of Christmas, and other special occasions.  My family appreciates the new ways we feel joy.

Breathe of Joy is also called "orchestra breath!" Take three sips of breath in and finish with a BIG exhale: https://sites.google.com/site/mrsbroam/home/breathing/breathofjoy


God's Got This--Trust God -- He did and He does, and He will continue to do so. How do you see God at work? My husband and I have spent more quality time together.  I think we're gonna be okay when all the birdies fly . . . one did escape in August.  We are proud of Hannah and are thankful she has a new job in a place she is happy to live.  God is GOOD. All. The. Time.

Work Triangle pose for God the Father, Son, and Spirit.  Feet on railroad tracks, take one toe to the side. Put a comfortable amount of space between feet and stretch arms out like crossing a capital letter "T." Breathe in as you reach over the pointy toe, roll down with that arm and reach high with the other. Engage your core, don't just hang in the pose.  Try it on both sides of the body.


Unicorn🦄-- What is ONE thing you are looking forward to -- today, tomorrow, or in the new year?  Establishing ONE thing creates hope. Hope fuels you for all that is to come.  Be thankful for the bright spots of 2020 and look forward to the light of the new year too!🌞

We'll finish with Warrior 1 posture.  Feet back on railroad tracks, take one leg forward and one back.  The forward leg bends, the back leg extends.  Thread your fingers together and extend your arms overhead for your unicorn horn.  Hold for three-five breaths before working the other side of the body.

Enjoy your zipaDeeBee Bracelet -- a yoga practice on your wrist! Want to try more?  Check out: https://sites.google.com/site/zipadeebee/resources/baublesandbangles #zipaDeeBeeBaublesandBangles




Onward to the 7th Day of Christmas

 

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Onward to the 6th Day of Christmas

 

Tuesday, December 29, 2020

Onward to the 5th Day of Christmas

 

Monday, December 28, 2020

You Deserve Joy

 

One charm for each of the four verses of "Joy to the World!"  Try a yoga pose for each verse and charm:

JOY Charm -- Right Triangle:

Joy to the world! the Lord is come;
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare him room,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven and nature sing,
And heaven, and heaven, and nature sing.


EARTH Bead -- Whole World Mudra:

Joy to the earth! the Savior reigns;
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills, and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat the sounding joy.


SMILE Charm -- Namaste or Prayer Hands:

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.


GOD'S GOT THIS Charm --Left Triangle:

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.

#zipaDeeBeeBaublesandBracelets

Onward to the 4th Day of Christmas

 

Sunday, December 27, 2020

Onward to the 3rd Day of Christmas

 

Saturday, December 26, 2020

Onward to the 2nd Day of Christmas

 


Friday, December 25, 2020

Onward to the 1st Day of Christmas

 

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

Tropical Tuesday at PHES

 

What do you get when you cross an apple🍎 and a Christmas tree?🎄
a PINEAPPLE🍍 How are you having fun today? #mrsbroamhats

Friday, December 18, 2020

LLAMAzing Friday

 

I don't usually post a silly hat when students aren't in school . . . Thank you to the llovely lladies who shared llama ornaments with me llast night to llight up my smile and my holiday!  It's a LLAMAzing Friday when you feel the llove of others💓🦙 Thank you, "teddy bear" friends! #illovellamas #llamallifeisgood #mrsbroamhats

Thursday, December 17, 2020

Be Resilient

 

This is my Pop's holiday hat!  It wiggles when you walk.  It reminds me to be resilient, to keep bouncing along with the ups and the downs!  I'm going to explore resiliency during the 12 days of 2020's Christmas!  Check the blog (or "vitaminDB" on Facebook or "zipaDeeBee on Twitter or Instagram) over the Winter Break if you'd like to explore this topic too.

12/25 - 1st Day Know Yourself: Purposefulness
12/26 - 2nd Day Understand Emotions: Acceptance
12/27 - 3rd Day Tell Empowering Stories: Optimism
12/28 - 4th Day Build Community: Empathy
12/29 - 5th Day Be Here Now: Humor
12/30 - 6th Day Take Care of Yourself: Positive Self-Perception
12/31 - 7th Day Focus on the Bright Spots: Resilience
01/01 - 8th Day Cultivate Compassion: Perspective
01/02 - 9th Day Be a Learner: Curiosity
01/03 - 10th Day Play and Create: Courage
01/04 - 11th Day Ride the Waves of Challenge: Perseverance
01/05 - 12th Day Celebrate + Appreciate: Trust


And then we can explore each topic more in depth in the new year!  Ask Santa for a copy of Elena Aguilar's Onward and Onward Workbook.  These are rich resources for strengthening resilience! #merryholiday #mrsbroamhats


Wednesday, December 16, 2020

Ho! Ho! Ho!

Ho! Ho! Ho! and Ha! Ha! Ha! "There is nothing in the world so irresistibly contagious as laughter and good humor."~Charles Dickens #sharealaugh #danceyoursmile (and your hat!) Thank you, Sra. G! #mrsbroamhats

Tuesday, December 15, 2020

When "Grinchy," Just "Be"

 

When you feel "Grinch-ish," just "be Grinch-y."  I don't mean you should steal someone's Christmas . . . but rather sit with the uncomfortable and allow it to pass through you.  Observe it, without judgement.  Feeling unpleasant feelings happens to everyone from time to time.  You can't always predict when and how.  It is normal.  You are normal.  It is important to acknowledge the "blah" and the "yuck" so it won't visit with you longer than need be. Hold space for the hard time.  Sit with it. Breathe.  Move.  Talk to someone.  Feeling better yet? #whenyouareGrinchy #itisokay #youcandohardthings #yougotthis #wearestrongertogether #mrsbroamhats

Monday, December 14, 2020

O Christmas Tree

 

"O Christmas tree, o Christmas tree, such pleasure do you bring me"🎄 ~O Christmas Tree, 2nd Verse #createhappiness #shineyourlight #mrsbroamhats #mrsbroamSINGS -- https://youtu.be/0fWmit2izSc

Thursday, December 10, 2020

Run, Run or Sit Still?

 

Maybe instead of running as fast as you can you should try to sit still and quiet?! You will likely get more accomplished if you work regular pauses in your day!  Sometimes to go faster, you actually need to stop going for a bit. It probably would have benefited the Gingerbread Man . . . #sitstillandquiet #stopandbreathe #rewritetheendingofyourstory #mrsbroamhats

Wednesday, December 9, 2020

(s)ELF Compassion Strategies

 


When you don't like something about yourself, are you:

(1) patient and understanding with these aspects of you? 

OR

(2) disapproving and judgemental about your flaws?


When you feel like you are "not enough," do you:

(1) tell yourself most people feel that way from time to time 

OR

(2) say that you are alone in feeling like a failure.


When something painful happens, do you:

(1) take a balanced view 

OR

(2) fixate and obsess about everything that's wrong

How about try a little elf compassion?!  

"This is a moment of difficulty.  Everyone has challenges--that's a part of being human.  May I accept this experience without judgement. May I take action with kindness."~Naturally Slim Program, Week 12

#mrsbroamhats


Tuesday, December 8, 2020

A Silly Dilly Santa Song

 

Monday, December 7, 2020

RAIN Deer Sighting

 

Oh, dear! It's RAIN Deer?!  How can you make the sun shine when the clouds are hanging around? Try some yoga? Sing a song? Draw a picture? Talk to someone?  Read a book? Bake some cookies? #havingfunrainorshine #mrsbroamhats

Thursday, December 3, 2020

A Silly Dilly Christmas Song

 

Wednesday, December 2, 2020

Santa's Stuck

 

but you don't have to be! When you feel "stuck," take a deep breath, ask for help, talk it out, write it down, consider the positives, name your thanksgivings, share a kindness, search for a new perspective, try some yoga--you'll be FREE sooner than later.  #mrsbroamhats

Tuesday, December 1, 2020

Are You the Elf on the Shelf?

Or are you the elf hard at work in Santa's Toy Shop? #workhard #persevere

We had yoga fun with elves, toys, reindeer, snowmen, and Santa today!