JOURNEY FROM HEAD TO HEART: Living and Working Authentically
A Perfect read for:
Wayfinders--people on a spiritual journey, both beginners and experienced travelers.
People struggling with work/life balance.
Those seeking their authentic purpose in life and work.
Leaders who want to get ego out of the way and lead with humility.
Teachers and school administrators.
Those who want to communicate more truthfully.
Notes from the Author, Nancy Oelklaus:
This book is about what I learned from a 10-year spiritual journal that began with intense pain and culminated in peace and joy. It contains stories of transformation from my own life, as well as the lives of my clients. Also, it contains tools and processes, drawn from neuroscience, systems thinking, recovery, and spirituality, that assisted these transformations.
The central metaphor of the book is Wayfinding, an ancient means of navigation that recognizes signs from nature to find one's way through unknown territory--in this case, the journey inward.
Basically I’m a skeptic. I’m well trained in using mental processes, and it is challenging—extremely challenging—for me to let go of my well developed problem-solving capabilities and take the path of faith, honoring my feelings and intuitive sense as a guide. In other words, if I can do it, anyone can.
It isn’t limited to my own story, and it’s more than a self-help book. It’s a toolkit, a map for those who want to make the journey from head to heart, and a reference book for living meaningfully.Is there anything else we should know about this book? It’s the culmination of 10 years of work on my part. My heart’s desire is that what I’ve learned might make this journey shorter and less painful for others.
Alphabet Meditations for Teachers: Everyday Wisdom for Educators
Nancy Oelklaus, EdD Loving Healing Press (2009) ISBN 9781932690880 Reviewed by Paige Lovitt for Reader Views (3/09)
“Alphabet Meditations for Teachers,” contains twenty-six poems that cover topics, from A through Z, which teachers will relate to. Each meaningful poem has a colorful photograph to accompany it. The author did an awesome job of finding topics which every educator will find meaningful. As a community college instructor of students with disabilities, I found myself totally understanding the topics that were covered. I feel that they reach beyond the K-12 level.
Reading this book reminded me that we are here for our students, not vice versa. Being from a variety of backgrounds it is important for us to accept them no matter what their socio-economic status is. As educators we have to love them and believe in them no matter what. Dr. Oelklaus’s words really touched my heart. Reminding me to replace fear with love and to accept change as it appears, makes the education world a more exciting, adventuresome place.
“Alphabet Meditations for Teachers: Everyday Wisdom for Educators” by Nancy Oelklaus would make the perfect gift for any teacher, especially if they might be feeling burnout. It will inspire them to remember why they chose to teach. It also would make a perfect gift for a brand new teacher. As they begin to experience the good and bad things that come with the profession, it will let them know that others have had the same thoughts and feelings.
