Hey Reader!

This transition into summer doesn't always feel like a vacation does it? Instead, you might find yourself feeling "at your wits' end" and "dragging a burden" that feels far heavier than you were meant to carry. After a long school year, it’s easy to default to "leaking trust systems" like hustle, control, or silence. (Curious about where this terminology came from? Listen in to the conversation with Debbie Simmons in this week’s podcast episode – just click the graphic below. We went deep and I cried.)

But what if this summer could be different? What if, instead of just recovering from burnout, you used this season to build a new "rhythm of resilience"?. Drawing from Debbie Simmons’ wisdom, here are three practical daily rhythms to help you shift from burden to peace.

1. Center and Surrender Your Schedule

The way you start your morning determines the trajectory of your day. Before the chaos of the day begins, take time to get centered with God.

• The Practice: Don't just plan your day; literally give God your schedule. Tell Him, "This is my day, but You make of it what You want". (I’ve been doing this since mid-May…game changer.)
• Why it Matters: When you surrender your plan, you can view summer disruptions or a child's "meltdown" not as an annoyance, but as a divine opportunity to ask, "Okay God, what are we doing here?". This keeps you in a place of compassion rather than frustration.

2. The 90-Minute Breathing Break

Tension often lives in our bodies without us even realizing it. Educators often walk around with their shoulders hunched up toward their ears – in fact…where are your shoulders right now?

• The Practice: Set an alarm for an intentional breathing break every 90 minutes. Just breathe slowly and deeply for a minute or two. This works great with children too!
• The Science and Spirit: Deep breathing physically moves you out of your amygdala (the fear center) and into your prefrontal cortex, where you can make better decisions. Spiritually, it reconnects you with the "breath of life" that God breathed into us, settling your spirit and mind.

3. Focus on the "Next Best Step"

When we look "way down there" at the upcoming school year or the big challenges in our lives, we pick up unnecessary worry and stress.

• The Practice: Instead of searching for the "right" step (which can lead to perfectionist paralysis), simply ask, "What is the next best step?".
• Why it Works: Taking the next best step is an act of faith and obedience. It allows God to light the path right at your feet rather than requiring you to see the whole map. Whether you are walking through a crisis or just a busy Tuesday, this rhythm keeps you grounded in the present.

The "Why" Behind the Rhythms

As an educator, it is vital to remember that "we cannot lead children where we are not willing to go". If we want to teach children how to resolve conflict and find peace, we must first be willing to have brave, honest conversations with God and our colleagues about where we are struggling.

Remember, no matter how heavy today felt, "the sun always comes up tomorrow," and you are never beyond hope.

Ready to dive deeper? You can join Debbie Simmons and other early childhood experts this summer at the Early Childhood Christian Network annual conferences in Georgetown and McKinney, Texas, to refuel and reimagine what’s possible in your calling. Are you registered yet?

Cheering you on this week!

-Your ECCN team

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Listen to this podcast episode with host Monica Healer now on Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

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