November 

Fall is my favorite time of the year. Well, November is my favorite time of the year. It's that time where it is not super-hot anymore and the fall weather is starting to come. Let's be clear, I live in Southern California, so we don't exactly have seasons, which I am okay with. November is nearing the end of our fire season which means the wind is starting to go away. It also means we can wear jackets, for the morning at least. November is also my favorite month because I feel like it's a month where we are focusing on more than just us. November brings along, Day of the Dead (Día De Los Muertos), Election Day, Veteran’s Day, Diwali and Thanksgiving. Being a teacher, I learned that sometimes I enjoyed holidays more than the kids. Maybe for different reasons, but I was usually more excited than them. This is true for most holidays, except for those in November. My classes never seem too excited for the holidays that happen this month. I on the other hand love them!

In my class I try to make sure we discuss and learn about different holidays and traditions. I also make sure we understand why it's a holiday, ESPECIALLY if we are getting the day off. I think even as adults we forget the importance of some days. November is a month where I love being able to teach my class about the importance of these special days, as well as reminding myself. I will say, teaching about some of these holidays can lead to some interesting discussions. However, I love being able to have those discussions with the students and learning more about them. The past few years I have been able to learn so much more about Day of the Dead and Diwali from my students. I personally always love to learn about other cultures, so it has been amazing for my students to be the ones who teach me. It has really helped the classroom community grow to be able to have my students share their traditions in their lives. Both Diwali and Day of the Dead are beautiful holidays, not just visually, but what they mean. They are holidays that I feel like we can all take something from and learn about. Day of the Dead is celebrating family and loved ones that have passed. It’s a time to remember those who we lost, but not in a sad way. It’s a chance to have those memories come to live and celebrate those who are gone once more. Diwali is celebrating the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, knowledge over ignorance. It’s a good reminder of what we are capable of in our daily life. Election day is a day that I get to teach the students that their voice matters. That in our country they could be the ones who are making the laws someday. They can be the ones who are helping guide our country. Regardless, their voice is still important, and they get to make a choice and a vote for what they believe. Something that we as American’s may take for granted. One of my other favorite times is being able to learn more about the class in terms of Veteran’s Day. I forget how many people probably know someone in their family that has served/or is serving in the military. Overall, I tend to always learn something new this month while teaching the kids.

My family and my classes always know that I have one favorite holiday that is totally different than anyone else. My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. I have always loved this holiday and still do. I have love cooking, even as a child, so naturally I loved Thanksgiving. The whole holiday is based around food. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized I love this holiday for more than that.    I feel like the other holidays are based around gifts or have become very materialistic. I personally feel like for most holidays we have forgotten the meaning of them. Thanksgiving, however, has always been the same, at least in my life. My family gathers around to eat food and spend time together. A day to be thankful and appreciate what we have. Gratitude is something that I try to instill into my own two kids, as well as my classroom full of kids. Appreciate what you have, be thankful for what you have, and give to those who have less.

The past few years I have realized that I now look at this month as a great reminder for myself of these values. I know I, as many others, I fall victim to the notion of not having enough. Not having enough things, not having enough time, not having enough energy, not having enough sleep, not having enough mental capacity. I am constantly comparing myself to others, even comparing myself to me. This is something that I want to break.  November is the time that reminds me to do just that, break those habits. Instead of thinking of what I need or don’t have, or haven’t done, I can look at what I do have. It’s the time of the year be grateful to those who give their lives to protect ours. I can be thankful that I live in a place that I can speak freely and do the things that I want. I am thankful that I have a safe place to live and that I can provide for my kids. I am thankful that I have people in my life who encourage, help and love me. I am grateful for the time I get to spend doing what I love and creating memories. I do have many things to be grateful for, it’s just the matter of changing my perspective and remembering so. Sometimes I can get so locked into my own head that it’s hard to see beyond what is in front of me. I am grateful for these holidays that don’t’ center around presents and gifts, but instead focus on values such as love, gratitude and family.

I hope that this November you can spend time with your family and people you love and appreciate the things in your life that maybe you take for granted. It’s a nice reset before we head into the chaotic time of December. Remember, you’ve done more than you think you have, if you don’t believe me, go back to last year and look how far you have come. And hey, surviving each day is an accomplishment (especially if you’re with children during the day). I think sometimes we forget that! Happy November and thank you for supporting me!

xo, Christina