Hi, friends 👋🏽. I’m Stacy Casson, Chief Play Officer at Things to Think About, LLC. With over twenty years of continuous improvement experience, I’ve learned to stay calm in a crisis. Is your calendar packed to the gills? Are you constantly double or triple-booked? Do you feel like you have to choose who you are going to fail today? You don’t have to face the doubts alone. I’m focusing on supporting parents and caregivers of elementary-aged students as they navigate overwhelm. I write this blog to help them move from overwhelm to action.
Celebrate Your Wins
Pause for a moment:
What’s one thing you accomplished this week—big or small?
Did you do something outside your comfort zone?
Filed your taxes?
Cleaned out that junk drawer?
Drop your win in the comments or share it with a friend!
My wins: This week, I attended Mentoring Monday and practiced introducing my business. I joined the Broward Moms’ Collective. I was blessed to receive 1:1 mentorship and have revamped my website. I like to reflect on my wins because it helps to keep the momentum when I’m down. I’m trying out a new format for this blog. Please share your thoughts.
Card of the Week: King of Swords
I’m pulling from Affirmators! Tarot by Suzi Barrett and illustrated by Vikki Chu. A blue gorilla is wearing a golden crown and holding a sword. The gorilla wears a purple, sleeveless, floor-length garment and a pink cape. There are pink and purple butterflies floating around. My first impression is that the gorilla is kind, given the butterflies and the sword in a neutral position. Swords are associated with thought and communication. How would you define successful communication?
sketch inspired by Vikki Chu
The Pattern It Reveals
I interpret this card as a sign of confident leadership. Its facial expression is kind and patient. This gorilla king is a leader comfortable in their skin. We lead as parents, and I would love to model confidence, objectivity, and calm decision-making. The gorilla king holds the sword as if it would slice through any BS and get to the heart of the matter. As a parent, its kids respect their fair and compassionate approach. What comes to mind when you reflect on the card? Do you relate to this figure, or do you wish you were more like the gorilla?
The Question Worth Asking
You are holding the sword. Do people feel safe around you when you communicate? Take a moment to reflect and journal.
One Small Experiment to Try This Week
Just the facts. When you have a conflict, such as a late assignment, not doing a chore, or a repeated mistake, try to respond with just the facts. Lead with observations instead of assumptions. “I see the trash is not at the curb,” instead of “How many times do I have to remind you to take out the trash?” Notice what shifts.
Ready to move from overwhelm to action?
If this post resonated and you found the experiment helpful, this is exactly how we work together. I’ve raised five kids using my continuous improvement training, and I can help you do the same. I help parents better understand what’s happening beneath the surface so they can respond rather than react. Book a Calm Down call with me and see what we can accomplish in a single session.
