“…please remember that enthusiasm is a fire
that throws out light and heat at a cost of constant waste of fuel.
Do not for a moment suppose that you can warm yourselves
and others for months together on the original supply
you brought [when you started teaching]…
Every day, new “thoughts that burn” must be supplied
or the fire will go out.” ~ Charlotte Mason
Apparently, the topic of “burnout” was a concern for teachers in 1896 much as it is today.
I have felt the truth of these words all summer long. We’ve all been there, haven’t we—just teetering right on the edge of burn-out, feeling tired and spent in so many good and honorable ways, yet spent just the same.
We know that when children can learn from an enthusiastic teacher in an atmosphere of love and acceptance, the sky is the limit. Yet, enthusiasm, as Miss Mason puts it so well, is a consuming fire. It must be FED and TENDED every day.
All you wonderful hard-working moms, listen up.
Put down those curriculum catalogs! Let's take a day or two to brainstorm our *own* lesson plans for the coming year! How will we supply ourselves with "new thoughts" and fuel to feed the fire of enthusiasm?
Imagine a day in your homeschool and fill-in these thoughts. Be as specific as you can.
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Every day, I plan to:
inspire my spirit with...
energize my body by...
challenge my mind through...
feed my craving for beauty with...
bring peace and comfort to my home by...
take simple pleasure in...
remember my cheerful heart by...
and at the end of the day, I'll give thanks to God and
soothe any weariness with...
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Go ahead and take time to make a lesson plan in Self Care. I'll make one, too.
You know, we're really going to have an amazing year-- the best yet.
