(314) 941-8862  |  kathleensuebauer@gmail.com

BLOG


"I have a passion,

a passion to see the world changed,

one learner at a time.”


Welcome to my BLOG all about Loving LifeLong Learning!

Hoping you will find your experience in the journey inspiring!


Coming from a place to lead toward motivation

Always seeking to find the very best direction


Knowing and believing every heart has a story to tell

Sharing pain, promise, and passion of lives lived well


Routinely looking for moments which may be inspiring

At times unaware of components souls may be holding


Where this path will transport you and you and me

Journeying forward on this path, we will wait and see

By Loving Lifelong Learning 11 Mar, 2024
By now in your journey… regardless of age or stage, you have most likely heard the term “SEL” or Social Emotional Learning. But what does it really and truly imply? SEL is a detailed and multi-faceted process through which we function by; understanding and managing emotions, making plans and striving to achieve goals, feeling and expressing empathy and thought for others, establishing and maintaining positive and healthy relationships, and displaying responsibility in decision making. Extending far beyond personal feelings, SEL is an ongoing process of merging what one knows to be true in a situation and then implementing appropriate skills and actions to direct and take the next steps and so on. SEL skills do need to be taught and practiced, lived out. Similar to other natural bents, some individuals are inclined and wired more instinctively to implement effective SEL competencies into real life situations. When prioritizing SEL in life, components of EQ or Emotional Intelligence will undoubtedly rise up. Possessing qualities of emotional intelligence will lead us to face life and the inevitable crisis points with lower stress levels and fewer overreactions. Self and social-awareness and management of self and relationships are the focus. Maintaining self-awareness and accepting one’s own capabilities and limitations leads to a strong foundation for being impactful in achieving success in self-help and growth, benefiting those around us, and fostering an overall sense of peace and happiness. Effectively navigating through life, an abundance of situations offer opportunity. Opportunity to lead even when it is not the title given to you, opportunity to stay quiet when you desperately yearn to set the record straight or prove your point, opportunity to speak up when you feel emotionally and physically tongue tied. We all have had and will continue to have growth experiences in the realm of Social Emotional Learning and its implementation. Are you able to articulate benefits you have gained thus far from seeking to learn and integrate SEL into your own life? Will you be willing to probe deeper? When have you struggled to implement SEL? Truth be known, we’ve all been there right? In the midst of an unbelievable conflict, one we may not have seen coming and could never have imagined…what happens in that moment? Seek to find commonalities of life experiences, both positive and negative, build on them well with a hope to acquire fresh skills, and hone in on the “important” and lasting impacts. After this…take the risk to make needful life, heart, and soul adjustments…This is an ongoing, thought provoking and HONEST process…Go for it! What are the differences in our emotional stances which may lead us to pursue better comprehension of our own heart and mind, embracing another person’s situation, and then demonstrating an appropriate and respectful demeanor amidst chaos and edginess that in the moment feels impossible to navigate through? Bottom line question…Where are you in your journey? It is not ever too late to learn Find a way to take a fresh turn Many talk about being well-rounded Consider options to keep you grounded In strength manage yourself and understand Impact for good no matter where you land With courage, confidence, and initiative Challenge yourself to live appreciative Embracing self and others mind and soul Making a plan to achieve the next goal Take each deliberate step abandoning haste Not one experience will you want to waste When called upon to sympathize Willingly take the risk to empathize Even with limitations and a lack of access Trust and wait and believe in the process Mindfully journeying leads to a continuum of health Social Emotional Learning offers heart and soul wealth © 2024 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D Alongside her husband B Add into this conversation by sharing personal experiences & scenarios!
By Loving Lifelong Learning 30 Jan, 2024
January 29  th is NATIONAL PUZZLE DAY…This is truly what they say! This may be overstated at times, but oh so true. Doesn’t LIFE feel like an ENORMOUS puzzle to untangle or solve? Do you feel like you are relentlessly on guard to cover, work through, need to solve or figure a whole lot of somethings and happenings out?? Are you concerned in the here and now and are not all the way sure how to get through just for today? Relating to good friends, acquaintances, coworkers, or even family members or siblings might feel puzzling and filled with emotions which need to be navigated through to put into place. Our interactions with others and many relationships oftentimes cause us to wonder if what we are doing, saying or how we are being matters. And then we continue to ponder more and find ourselves on a wondering jaunt, maybe even a bit puzzled as we are seeking ways out of how we might find the best way to work out of or hopefully work well to get through the current MAZE before us. Perhaps in this puzzling life…we will all benefit from some tried and true thoughts toward demystifying the discombobulation which feels looming and foggy. Staying active and aware of mindful living both physically and mentally matters. Cognitive clarity is a vital component to life and living. When we endeavor forward in a variety of activities we are naturally energized. Engaging in conversation, thinking activities, reading aloud and quietly, along with completing puzzles are all pieces which help us keep vitalized and refresh on this journey we call life. Resiliency is seizing opportunities to enhance and multiply existing strength. Are you resilient? Implementing mindfully rich activities refreshes and offers a boost assisting us in building upon our fortes while simultaneously challenging areas which could benefit from growth. Operating with a mindset of extending flexibility and grace helps us connect to others and offers an internal positivity enhancement. A sense of belonging is a beautiful thing, so go for it! As you dabble forward and seek to make sense out of the happenings from your own life and times puzzle… Stand strong to end the first month of this new year well…ready to carry forward...and learn or attempt something new…You just may find refreshment on the way. Exercise your lifelong learning capabilities and find some sort of PUZZLE to engage in, perhaps a recipe to try or tweak and GO FOR IT! Join the conversation here by adding in on what YOUR most challenging life puzzle is…or share something you’ve tried to learn and part of the journey you traversed in doing so… Puzzling through life Causes joy and strife With focus resilience and grit Work your way out of the pit From a maze to an acrostic or a word search Some situations threaten to leave us in a lurch The power of a puzzle… Does it feel like a muzzle? Or will you work life’s puzzles and seek to solve Finding meaningful teachable moments to resolve… In some ways all lives are a puzzle to be seen and loudly heard Other days so much action takes place without a spoken word Whatever the season However you reason May your life puzzle come together in spite of the suspense Mindfully leading your heart and soul to help it make sense © 2024 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D Alongside her husband B For extended inspiration…check out these links! https://blog.tcea.org/five-crossword-puzzle-makers/?utm_source=TCEA+Emails&utm_campaign=6bf24803e6 RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f3a5bb651e-6bf24803e6 68333575&ct=t(RSS_EMAIL_CAMPAIGN)&mc_cid=6bf24803e6&mc_eid=00c98f8b07 https://blog.tcea.org/happy-national-puzzle-day/
By Loving Lifelong Learning 18 Jan, 2024
Recently…in the midst of navigating the regular chaos of life, seeking to process the international distress, and intentionally taking time for mindful conversations, I have been INSPIRED! Inspired by caring individuals who are questioning life as well. Motivated to find the good, because it is there. Refreshed to continue doing so many tasks I LOVE. Seeking to achieve balance. Why do we assume every piece of life has been easy? Quite frankly, it feels tangled! Not long ago, I was in the process of working with my hair, yes my hair. The set-up is amazing, including heavy duty durable outlets in a hidden cabinet and space for all of the necessary equipment to take care of my “aging” hair. This system works well, has for quite some time, keeps the bathroom tidy and is typically maneuverable. One specific day it became super complicated…oh no…all of those times I was hurrying, avoiding keeping things in order, came to haunt me with the TANGLING of much more than the 2 cords it had begun with. YIKES! I had a huge mess, was in a frantic hurry and just kept pulling and pulling and pulling. Disconnection happened. Finally, since I was unable to make use of any of the products or hair care pieces due to the invasion of the tangled mess; I stopped… Knelt down… Took a big breath… Decided to devote the necessary effort and time to regroup this area… Ahhhhhhhhh it all came back together, operating as it needed to be and soon there was no evidence of a tangle at all. In this moment I found myself, mind wondering and wishing situations in life could be ever so easy to untangle. And even more strongly, hoping I would recognize needs immediately and find a way to intentionally untangle every “ISSUE” with greater efficiency. Life does not always go as planned. Sadness looms, loved ones in my circle are fighting for their lives, light bulbs burn out, chaos prevails, calm seems to be only an unreachable dream, and happiness a mere wish. However, in the midst of all of this, let us aim to remember…Balance is key, questions are okay, and yes life is filled with an array of tangles. So…what are we to do now? I certainly don’t have exact answers…but maybe we can quest forward with renewed vigor to: Redefine balance as a goal & accept uneven terrain through the process. Perhaps find and opt for another lens to view through. Ponder living in a state of Being amidst all of the Doing. Consider whether lovingkindness is a filter for which you function. And…What about dedicating some time right now to untangling something and making TODAY your BEST DAY EVER?! Is this possible? What if we all prioritize maintaining the TANGLES by rebooting, refreshing, and reviving? And possibly attempt to approach these tasks and TANGLES as gifts to unwrap? Endeavoring to see all situations and individuals as filled with potential, and focusing on the good, the beauty, and the best, which is yet to come…WOW! Well…wouldn’t that be WONDERUL?! On the journey Life feels heavy Take the time to realize Good is there to recognize Inspiration is possible Motivation is do-able Working well through pain Feels as if there is no gain Refresh your systems to reboot & flow Embracing the next season might show The beautiful and best Even when put to test Comes through Surprising you Take a look and smile Be engaged for awhile Learning and leaning into the navigatable Living and loving through the inevitable Somehow some way Things will all be okay… Love and learn to gain and grow Others might be inspired to glow © 2024 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D Alongside her husband B
By VIV Builder 26 Jun, 2023
Petty Points
By Loving Lifelong Learning 09 Dec, 2022
Ready or not here come the Holidays dashing on in…So we ask again…what is it for YOU? Fa La La La La…!? Or OH NO…here we go!
By Loving Lifelong Learning 23 Nov, 2022
Grappling through emotions, chaos, perceptions, and expectations can be rough, tough, and tumble indeed! As we embark forward to covering this helpful, needful, but often skipped over, (or perhaps avoided), topic the goal is to do so with the timing of holidays upon us and rolling forward very quickly! So...our next set of sub-topics in the realm of cognitive distortions involves Emotional Reasoning, Fallacy of Fairness, ALWAYS Being Right, and Heaven’s Reward Fallacy.
By Loving Lifelong Learning 14 Nov, 2022
As we continue our dive into the topic of cognitive distortions…we will do well to recall…they have an uncanny way of wreaking havoc into one’s mind, body, soul, and holiday season! So…let us “jump right in” as we look at the propensity of “Jumping to Conclusions” being loaded with ASSUMPTIONS. Assuming typically ignites us with thoughts and take aways of happenings and are “wrongly” assigned in our mind for ourself and others. We might do this by assuming those around us view situations and processes exactly as we do. This occurs in a variety of ways under the umbrella of cognitive distortions and can be a slippery emotional slope.
By Loving Lifelong Learning 11 Oct, 2022
As we uncover the broad yet tedious topic of cognitive distortions…the driving question remains…How do we change…really change….? In order to do so for lasting impact, we need to identify our decisions and thought processes and work from there…As we do so, we will be more inclined to intentionally take notice of ourselves and then find truth in situations around us…There is great benefit to change and growth throughout life as we navigate situations.
By Loving Lifelong Learning 12 Sep, 2022
As referred to priorly…we are going to embark on a robust and thought provoking journey. Not every aspect of every topic applies directly to every individual. However, typically when beginning to unfold mental health topics, a process begins inside us and can at moments feel very emotionally chaotic. We undoubtedly look at ourselves through the lens of the particular focus and then quickly to those we are closest to…Perhaps we begin to analyze those individuals in our lives who “cause agitation” in us at times…as we search for a reason why.
By Loving Lifelong Learning 11 Jul, 2022
Lessons learned from 4 Leaf Clovers:  Growing up spending many mindful and long days outside enjoying creation and nature, from a very early age I would be found spotting yet again…another 4 leaf clover! I still hear my Dad’s resonating bass voice and distinct “grin” celebrating these small green treasures. So…what is so special about a 4 leaf clover? Recently I’ve been thinking more and more about this, and as the photos display, it continues to be another abundant year! (No… we have not planted a field of them on our property…the pictures below are all within the past several weeks in different places)! A quick google search declares the odds are about 1 in 10,000 to find a 4 leaf clover. These small little pieces of greenery seem to smile at me from all of the more common “3 leafers” they are surrounded by…and every time I spot one…I feel a fresh sense of JOY and HOPE! Is there anyone out there who may resonate with this nostalgia which floods over and through me? Anyone???! And by the way…JOY and HOPE for what? Here are a few applicable lessons we’ve found to ponder… Rain still comes storms do hover … However…my experiences show that a clover seems to shine more readily afterward…Hmmm…the glisten more pronounced after rain…So…what about us…is this ever true? Do we gather experiences to help us shine and polish up after a season tumultuous rain and storm?? Do we find the rays of golden sunshine in between? Perhaps even spotting a rainbow on occasion??! Each 4 leaf clover is similar yet different . Leaf shapes and sizes and colors are unique. Looking or appearing different is okay. Uniqueness is a gift, embrace it! Tattered and torn happens . How we manage the “storms” and hardships we must endure may leave a few rips or scars…but we can focus toward keeping strong from the roots through our core and beyond…While we may not share reasons for our brokenness, we can impact others with lessons learned. A 4 leaf clover offers a reframe to change the lens from which we are viewing, providing opportunity for HOPE and fresh growth in an unexpected direction. Hunting searching seeking and finding…all good…but sometimes things just appear, they come…and it can be such a blessing wrapped in hope and happiness. When beautiful comes your way…savor it! Stay strong and move along! While most of us would love for life to be filled with an unending bonus of proverbial 4 leaf clovers and golden sparkles with colorful sprinkles…it is just not realistic. We can grab another reminder from these small green finds to find sustainability and strength when the climate is tough. As Brian can attest…these 4 leaf clovers literally appear and stand out inviting me to recognize them. Such as life…when we are doing and being let us remember to… allow the good to appear. Growing through seasons we may feel as if our life and very being offers little meaning and then the next phase appears. While Brian and I have been together since the late 1980’s…I will always remember the look on his face when we were outside walking together during the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic and he witnessed firsthand…a FIND! It did feel surreal indeed…and we do live in the Show-me-State…he has seen and now believes! May we all live maximizing each life opportunity to see and believe! Tattered, worn, fresh, tall, or small Special variety overflows through all A unique finding of inspiration May be a mindful declaration Essential or necessary? Not really… But perhaps a lift on a long journey Let us fortify and sustain Within the simple maintain Find something in your life to glisten Heart treading a path to simply listen We never know what lies ahead…so do not wait Robustly cheer and find small ways to celebrate! © 2022 Kathleen Bauer, Ed D
Show More
Share by: