By Niki Spears, Founder and Chief Culture Creator of Culture Cre8tion

Have you paused today to witness the good things happening around you? A miracle usually happens when we’ve lost hope or feel overwhelmed by our circumstances. Something extraordinary occurs in the midst of the ordinary, an unexpected manifestation of beauty, hope, and possibility reminding us of the potential that resides in every moment. While miracles are often seen as unexpected wonders, we have the capacity to actively cultivate them, placing us firmly in the driver’s seat of our own extraordinary journey. Just like gratitude, miracles exist all around us—within the first light of morning, the embrace of loved ones, the gentle rustling of leaves in nature’s embrace, even a warm smile—all are beautiful moments struggling to get our attention.

As educators within the Head Start program, you have a profound influence over young minds and tender hearts, holding the potential to introduce profound transformation within your perspective.

Consider this your personal invitation, a summons to foster a mindset that thrives on miracles. It’s a calling to embrace the wondrous power of positive beliefs and perceptions, a guiding light that empowers you to navigate even the toughest times with grace and purpose.

Remember, we see the world not as it is but as we are.

Within every challenge, a seed of opportunity for growth and enlightenment lies concealed. In my book, “The Beauty Underneath the Struggle,” I share how reframing past experiences can propel us from victimhood into triumph, marked by growth and newfound wisdom. By embracing a miracle mindset, challenges shape-shift into stepping stones that pave the path to progress. To aid you in nurturing a miracle mindset, I offer six transformative strategies that can be set into motion today:

Six Strategies for Nurturing a Miracle Mindset:

1. Journal Classroom Miracles: Dedicate time to journal the miracles unfolding in your classroom this year. Download the “Everyday Miracles in the Classroom Journal for Educators” for FREE and begin focusing on the good that is happening around you each day. By focusing on the good, you are inviting more positive moments into your classroom this year.

2. Start the Day Grateful: Greet each day by bringing to mind the things you’re grateful for. Many times, we wake up to a new day with all the tasks that must be completed, which can leave us feeling mentally drained and overwhelmed before we even get out of bed. Start each day with a heart filled with gratitude, being thankful for all the people and things that fill your life with joy.

3. Embrace Mindfulness: Engage in mindfulness and meditation to foster awareness and presence. Mindfulness practices are ways to engage in and appreciate the present moment. Take moments throughout the day to focus on your breathing. Take a deep breath in through the nose and exhale slowly through the mouth. Breathing helps slow everything down and makes you feel more relaxed and grounded. Meditation is another great way to spend time in the moment. Guided meditations are available for Free on YOUTUBE; simply type “guided meditations” into the search engine.

4. Set Positive Intentions: Craft intentions and affirmations aligned with a hopeful perspective. Write out your affirmations and repeat them daily. Here are a few examples:

“I am open to give and receive love.”

“I am attracting love.”

“I believe in my skills and talents.”

“I am strong and confident.”

“I am the hero of my story.”

“I love me.”

Write additional affirmations that will internalize and manifest a change in unhealthy beliefs about yourself, others, and the world, and read them daily.

5. Negativity Nixing Chats: As you engage in conversations with colleagues at work or your family at home, transform negative conversations into more productive ones. Make it a habit to share two positive things about your day and encourage others to do the same. Steer away from conversations that can drain your energy and instead create an atmosphere where discussions are centered around solutions, growth, and personal responsibility.

And #6:

Create a Miracles Moments Wall in the school, classroom, or office. Make capturing miracles a habit by highlighting uplifting moments that happen throughout the day. Be sure to inform the staff of how to protect privacy when using the wall and eliminate names when appropriate. Share pictures of your walls with us at Region 9 HSA, and your school could be featured in our next newsletter.

Today, look for the miracles and watch as they show up more in your life!

With something to think about. Make it a great month. The choice is yours.