John Maeda, wanting to write a simple book about keeping things simple, set the goal of limiting The Laws of Simplicity, to 100 pages. Likewise, my goal is to take about 100 words to recommend a powerful, seconds long, de-stressing meditation, that I learned from the Buddhify App.
When you’re at the flashpoint, about to do or say something inexcusable or just fall apart, STOP and:
Smile; feel the Touch of the earth under your feet, take One slow breath, and be Present.
The smile and touching the earth make all the difference.
Peace to you in 2018.
Sandy Merz
I grew up in Silver City, New Mexico and went the University of New Mexico, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Geology. After working for the U.S. Geological Survey in remote regions of western New Mexico, I moved to Tucson to attend graduate school at the University of Arizona, earning a Master of Science degree in Hydrogeology. While working as an intern hydrologist for a local county agency, I started doing volunteer work that involved making presentations in schools. At that moment I knew teaching was the path to follow. It must have been a good decision because I’m still on the path after thirty-two years. My teaching certificates are in math and science and I am a National Board Certified Teacher in Career and Technical Education. After teaching engineering and math and elective classes at the same school in downtown Tucson my whole career, I've moved to a different middle school and district on the edge of town to teach math. In addition to full time teaching, I am actively involved in the teacher leadership movement by facilitating National Board candidates, blogging for Stories from School Arizona, and serving on the Arizona K12 Center’s TeacherSolutions team. In January 2017, Raytheon Missile System named me a Leader in Education and I'm a former Arizona Hope Street Fellow.
Comments 2
Love this blog! It is in your face with simplicity and impact.
Thank you for sharing these wise words – When you’re at the flashpoint, STOP and smile, take one slow breath, and be Present. Imagine the impact we could have on 2018 if we all vowed to do this simple act?
Thank you for this article. I have used it (with my husband and with my mom) and it made an immediate difference. I actually felt the difference with the smile. Then the rest was a pleasure. I was able to refocus and stay attached to the moment.