PPBF: Mel Fell

Happy Valentine's Day; I hope you're feeling well-loved.

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Lessons On Life And Love

Today I'm reflecting on my calling as an educator.

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What We Plant Will Grow

Happy new year!

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Reflecting Beauty And Brokenness

Last night I was blessed to tag along with my daughter to the wedding of her childhood friends Allie and Evan; today I'm still thinking about beauty and brokenness because of what their Pastor told us through them during the service.

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Celebrating Every Day As Shoesday

Today I'm excited that my guest post about empathy 

is live {here} at the Character Strong blog.

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A Commitment To Growth

Today I'm contemplating change as I think about a little seed, 

an unlikely place to plant {a crack in our back porch}, 

this healthy little sapling, and growing pains.

It surely gives Bloom Where You're Planted a whole new look.

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Time To Play

Happy February and National School Counseling Week 2019.

It has been over a week since I've posted because

I've been intentionally playing with some new friends;

today I'm hanging out in South Dakota 
savoring my incredible Iowa memories, 
like this epic winter sunset we were gifted.

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Ready To Go, Willing To Stay

Today I'm excited because I found THIS at the resale shop for 99 cents.

What if we focused more on the blessings in our burdens?

I've had so much on my mind as I head into 

the second semester of my 33rd year.

What a blessing my career has been and continues to be.

I work in an AmAzInG school district 

with enthusiastic educators who are passionate

 about kids,

about connections, 

about character, about growth.

In the last fifteen years, I've also had a bit of a consulting business as I prepare for an encore career in professional development, character education, and motivational speaking.

Over the holiday break, in a courageous self-care moment,

I sent away for my Texas Teacher Retirement packet.

This past week, it came in the mail.

Because I think it's time. 

Or getting really close to time.

But how will I really know when it's time?

I was in tears on Monday trying to figure that out, 

when someone I met said this about it: 

You have to be ready to go, but willing to stay.

I'm not sure I'll ever truly be ready to go,

to say good-bye to my superheroes and our stakeholders.

It will undoubtedly be sad and painful because I continue to strongly connect with what I get to do every day. At the same time I'm feeling called to more and more speaking opportunities. It's something I'm passionate about, to pass the baton, to energize the next generation of character educators. And I'm finding it increasingly challenging to do both, to work full time, and to speak part time.

The cool thing is that I'm kind of in a win-win situation.

I win if I stay with the school family I love;

I win if I (and when) I take that leap of faith.

So for now, my status is blessed.

If you, dear reader, have some words of wisdom,

some insights for me, some questions I ought to consider,

I'd love to read your reflections below. Or send me an email. 

Maybe you've already retired; how did you know it was time? 

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