mistakes were made

Yesterday I sent a letter to my mailing list {you can read it here} and there was an enormous grammatical error.  Throughout the letter I wrote "your good" instead of "you're good".  I didn't realize I had it wrong until some very kind friends pointed it out to me.  {Thank you!}

Upon first learning that I made this mistake my heart dropped.  That letter went out to my entire list and there was no way to correct it.  Eeeekkk!!!  I was extremely embarrassed and those little voices in my head began to shout some harsh words.  I was brought back to a post I read awhile ago where someone was upset that they bought a product that had a few grammatical/spelling errors in it. She felt that it was a direct reflection of who the person was and how much they cared (did not care) about their work.

I have never been great at grammar. My eighth grade English teacher can attest as I spent hours and hours after school getting extra help. I do not feel that my mistake is a reflection of who I am or a lack of carelessness....I simply got it wrong.  Thank's to those dear friends I now know the proper way to use these words.  A lesson I hope remains engrained in my brain.  

I am human.  That means I am forever learning and growing. I can't let my mistakes define me. I need to keep moving forward a little bit wiser and with the lesson learned tucked into my pocket.  I am not perfect and will never try to be.  I am uniquely me, mistakes and all.  

I have learned that sharing the truth of our stories brings us together.  We all make mistakes and that is okay.  We cannot let our fear of making a mistake hold us back.  We must show up in this world and give it a try.  It is in these moments that we grow and expand.  

 

Final e-course of 2015!  

I am excited to announce my final e-course of 2015, Heart Notes.  They say we teach what we most need to learn and that is very true for this.  I invite you to join me in this soulful class where together we will close out 2015 with love, tenderness, and reflection.  

You have journey through another year.  Your feet have taken many steps, memories have been made, hearts have been broken, love has been shared.  There are so many moments to be grateful for, to celebrate, and even to let go of.  Join me December 2nd - January 1st and look back on all that has been.  

As we gather together for four weeks on a private blog we will explore the following themes:

Week One :: Taking Inventory
All companies end each year taking inventory of what is left.  This helps them plan for the new year.  You will do the same.  Taking an inventory on how you feel, where you stand, and what you are still carrying around.  

Week Two :: Celebrating What Was
You have done so much this year, YES you have.  Let's take the time to properly celebrate what was.  Through ceremony and a formal toast let's acknowledge how much you have accomplished!  

Week Three :: Letting Go of the Hardship
Not all moments in a year are beautiful and grand, but it is every moment that makes up who you are.  There are some moments that you no longer need to carry with you.  Through journaling exercises you will be able to let go of these moments and say goodbye.  

Week Four :: Dreaming and Scheming
What do you envision 2016 to look and feel like?  Through vision boarding and quick journal exercises you will uncover what you most desire for the new year and how you want to feel.  

Week Five :: A Final Goodbye, and a Brand New Hello
Yes, is time to say goodbye to 2015 and hello to 2016.  You will write letters, send notes, and prepare yourself to step boldly into 2016 with a wide open heart.  

Let's clear space so that you can boldly step into 2016.  

Add to Cart

Join me today!    $42.00

Looking forward to closing out the year with YOU!  If you have any questions about Heart Notes please drop me a line at jbelthoff@gmail.com


dreams come true

Growing up I always wanted to be a teacher

One year for christmas I received a teaching set, and was thrilled
I would make my brothers sit at the kitchen table as I taught 
Giving them report cards
Marking up their papers
Torturing them the way only a sister can
They didn't sit for long

For many years I taught at a day care center
Soaking in the inquisitive mind of three year olds
Keeping one little girl from flushing her shoe down the toilet
Creating projects, reading books, watching minds open up
As they learned something new, or made a friend
It was in the classroom that I was in my glory

There are many moments when I miss teaching
I love coming up with new ideas
Thinking outside of the norm
Creating connections, seeing growth
Each day was a new beginning
Another opportunity to try again

My mind used to be constricted
Thinking that teachers were only in the classroom
But they are not
Teachers are everywhere 
Each day we interact with them
As we ourselves grow and evolve

There are a multitude of ways to teach outside of the "traditional" classroom
In fact, the possibilities are endless
I have taught online and in person
Loving every minute of the experience
And in 14 short days I will be at Squam, teaching a letter writing workshop
There is nothing better than teaching something you are passionate about

My dream of teaching is living and breathing inside of me
And although I am not a "traditional" teacher
I am a teacher in so many other ways
It has taking me stepping back and observing to see this
There are many times are dreams come true the way we didn't plan
We just need to be open to the possibilities 

I am holding onto my teaching dream
Tucking it into my pocket and carrying it around with me
I never know when the big one will come true
But I know that no matter what happens along the way
I am ready to embrace it
Each small moment has something to teach us

:: what dream are you carrying around in your pocket? ::