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Tending to Seeds of Stress: A Personal Growth Mindset Perspective

Dina Evans
Coalition of Schools Educating Mindfully (COSEM) Board Member
Reading Specialist in Delaware

When I created the monthly Community Circle themes for COSEM for 2024-2025, I truly was incorporating analogies using the beauty in nature, specifically seeds and trees; as I have always found the growth process uplifting, trees grounding, and gardens inspiring. As we begin a new year of growth, unknown and with continued advocacy, I find my reflection on this topic refreshing, filled with positivity and optimism.  With this, the challenge to stay grounded and balanced during this evolving year is vital to the energy needed to sustain our resilience and transformation. 


As I navigate the variety of seeds that nourish my being, I continue to embody a mindset of acceptance, curiosity and growth. I see my seeds of stress carried in the wind until I deem necessary to bring them to my present awareness. Here, I can tend to them in whatever way needed; grounding, rooting, watering, releasing, etc.


Stress in general is an inevitable part of life. The various seeds of stress we face in our daily lives, where they may either wither, grow into weeds, or fully blossom, depend on the tending practices and our perspective. The outcome of these seeds of stress depends on our perspective and engagement in this process. 


The understanding of our sensations from stress often arise when we encounter challenges, disruption in routine, or change in our equilibrium. There are many manifestations of stress in our lives and it takes different forms depending on the origin whether it be professional, familial, relational, or existential. The refreshing view I continue to embrace is one of an adversary, accepting, acknowledging, and befriending. Our body provides us with information in different forms and responses. It is how aware we are, and choose to respond which then dictates the level of attention and care provided.


Cultivating awareness is the first step in managing these seeds. As a gardener would observe, assess and examine the roots, seeds, leaves, or blossoms, questioning and bringing a lens of curiosity and  reflection allow us to go deeper into our thoughts, emotions, and sensations in response to stress.  Is it rooted in fear of failure, unmet expectations, or a misalignment with our values? Awareness helps us understand whether the "seeds" are worth nurturing or if they need to be weeded out.


On the bright side of stress, some of our seeds are healthy and provide opportunities for us to learn and grow. COSEM, for example, has been one of these seeds for me, defining my role in responsibilities, deadlines, engagement, and using new applications and venturing in new areas with technology. The positive reframing of stress, seeing it as a challenge rather than a threat or fear, builds resilience and nourishes our capacity to adapt and thrive, especially when challenged in new learning.


Although much stress is constructive, chronic stress if left to its own devices, can overgrow, overwhelm and be invasive. Left unattended it can consume our well-being and like a weed continue to root in other areas that are not productive or healthy. An example of this type of impact was experienced when my body experienced seizure-like activity, following the death of my father and two years of dysregulation and toxic relational stress. Through holistic therapeutic sessions, mindfulness training and physical exercise, I provided the nourishment my mind, body, heart and spirit needed to overcome the toxicity trapped in my body. Using mindfulness practices, breathing techniques, reframing techniques, setting boundaries, and using resources available through various resources, I was able to support the management of chronic unhealthy stressors. These methods supported the pruning away of unnecessary stressors,  created space for what truly matters, and shifted my mindset that supported my healing and management of stress moving forward.


As seeds of existing stress are tended and nourished, we have an opportunity to provide and plant enriching seeds of intention within the newly created spaces honoring positivity and priorities:

  • Embracing practices such as gratitude, self-compassion, empathy and reflection provide space for reflection to cultivate your body’s mental and emotional well-being.

  • Keeping a gratitude journal for the past five years has demonstrated patterns in my thoughts, emotions, heart and spirit.

  • The boundaries I have intentionally set for myself have also supported my awareness level and increased time to truly tend to my seeds in a very proactive, nurturing manner.

  • Supportive article with additional approaches to stop the stress cycle.


When we mindfully tend to the seeds of stress, the rewards are abundant. We grow stronger in our resilience, more self-aware, and better equipped mentally and physically to handle life’s challenges. Over time, we may even come to see stress not as a negative burden, but as a teaching opportunity guiding us toward greater balanced inner being and fulfillment.



Featured companion Mindfulness-Based SEL Lesson Inspiration for COSEM Members:
  • COSEM members, be sure to log into your account before clicking the link so you are taken directly to this resource. Not a member yet and would like to gain access to this resource and more? Consider joining us today or ask your school/district leadership team to invest in a COSEM Group Membership so every staff member has access. 



 


About the Author

Dina P. Evans has been a Reading Specialist at Mount Pleasant Elementary School for the past 13 years. Holding a master's degree in reading from East Stroudsburg University, and in active coursework for Mindfulness Certification, Dina’s passion has long been promoting Mindfulness-Based SEL and the love of literacy in children.  Most recently, she has been active and engaged in bringing mindfulness to Mount Pleasant and the district, especially focused on its impact on staff and the whole child. She is an active part of helping her school become a Trauma Informed School, helping the mindset change to respond and understand the way trauma impacts a student’s availability to learn. Ms. Evans  has also been involved with the school’s family engagement team, building a school-wide MBSEL library for teachers. She is a Mindfulness-Based Social Emotional Micro-Credential graduate and continues to learn and grow in her MBSR certification and further SEL certifications.

 

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