drmikedaniels

Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. – Brené Brown

I recently started reading Braving the Wilderness: The Quest for True Belonging and the Courage to Stand Alone, by one of my favorite authors/speakers/thinkers, Brené Brown. I have been leading workshops on “Belonging” in our schools of late, and this resource is a great add to my toolkit. Dr. Brown’s Ted Talk on “The PowerContinue reading “Spirituality is recognizing and celebrating that we are inextricably connected to each other by a power greater than all of us, and that our connection to that power and to one another is grounded in love and compassion. – Brené Brown”

If we need a miracle to take us to the place of freedom, it happens when we trust God to heal what we cannot. -Sr. Jeana Visol, OSB

Mad World It’s been a whirlwind of a week at home as we settled into new routines associated with school, music lessons and the seasons of football, soccer and volleyball. I also traveled for the first part of the week and so instead of tri-locating among her work and two different sports practices, Brigid helpedContinue reading “If we need a miracle to take us to the place of freedom, it happens when we trust God to heal what we cannot. -Sr. Jeana Visol, OSB”

No matter what tools you use to create, the true instrument is you. And through you, the universe that surrounds us all comes into focus. -Rick Rubin

My city is alive with children and their families. My oldest son started high school earlier this week and my youngest two kids began this morning…they took the bus to school today with their mom, which was a first. We are lucky to have that option! As I drove our oldest through the city toContinue reading “No matter what tools you use to create, the true instrument is you. And through you, the universe that surrounds us all comes into focus. -Rick Rubin”

If the Kingdom of God is in you, you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go. -Dr. Cornel West

This week I finished the book Leadership is a Relationship on a plane, and am pleased to share the except (depicted) on everyday practices to inform our approach to leadership. I also read this pearl of wisdom (below) the other day in my daily reflection resource, Give Us this Day. And I am pleased toContinue reading “If the Kingdom of God is in you, you should leave a little bit of heaven wherever you go. -Dr. Cornel West”

Because even the smallest of words can be the ones to hurt you, or save you. Natsuki Takaya

This week I picked my youngest kids up from overnight summer camp, dropped my oldest off at high school orientation, and squeezed in a hike with all three of them at a favorite trail in Marin County – this one leads to the ocean, and I appreciated a few minutes at the beach to thinkContinue reading “Because even the smallest of words can be the ones to hurt you, or save you. Natsuki Takaya”

Mercy is our attempt at grace. If we can’t be graceful, at least we can be kind. -Kevin Fisher Paulson

Since I last wrote, I enjoyed an eighth grade graduation at home with loved ones in town to join my son in his celebration….then my younger two kids frolicked around in the woods for a week at overnight camp….while both my wife and I took part in various end-of-the academic year programs at work. PlusContinue reading “Mercy is our attempt at grace. If we can’t be graceful, at least we can be kind. -Kevin Fisher Paulson”

Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything. – Gordon Hampton

Yesterday I walked my dog early in the morning, per my daily routine. As my view focused upon the rising sun eclipsing the marine layer on the horizon, I was struck by the beauty and serenity of my neighborhood park. Shortly thereafter I was jarred out of my contemplation by the sight of the bushyContinue reading “Silence is not the absence of something but the presence of everything. – Gordon Hampton”

One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be (authentic) kind, true, generous, or honest. – Dr. Maya Angelou

I love these weeks that immediately follow the change in Daylight Savings Time. With the extra time each evening, my kids are playing basketball outside for longer periods of time, they’re skateboarding later and their practices are extended just a little bit. It’s as if their childhood reawakens with just a little extra light eachContinue reading “One isn’t necessarily born with courage, but one is born with potential. Without courage, we cannot practice any other virtue with consistency. We can’t be (authentic) kind, true, generous, or honest. – Dr. Maya Angelou”

To put faith to work is the source of our hope. -Thomas Groome

Today I share some golden nuggets from a few sources of inspiration. Author Thomas Groome and his work, What Makes Education Catholic: Spiritual Foundations, continue to be the focus of my team’s professional development and group learning. And one of Sheryl Crow’s final songs in her Tiny Desk Concert struck a chord with me thisContinue reading “To put faith to work is the source of our hope. -Thomas Groome”

Silence is not the absence of something, but the presence of everything. -Gordon Hempton

I have been on a bit of a U2 kick of late. Last week I read Bono’s memoir, Surrender. On Sunday evening, my family and I enjoyed viewing “Homecoming” on Disney+. This music documentary includes U2 bandmates Bono and The Edge, along with David Letterman, as they introduce David to Dublin, Ireland, tell stories, andContinue reading “Silence is not the absence of something, but the presence of everything. -Gordon Hempton”