What…or who… inspires you?
An appropriate question, I thought, for Funformation Friday.
At Stillwater Speech Therapy, we draw wisdom from others. How does that saying go? Something along the lines of ‘smart people learn from their mistakes, while wise people learn from the mistakes of others’. Well, if we draw wisdom from others (and we do!), we most definitely draw inspiration from others as well.
One of the most inspiring groups to come my way has been the East Coast Momma Collective, courtesy of a fellow speech-language pathologist, (thank you Sarah Dhooge!). The Mommas in the ECMC are creative, talented, skillful, and brimming with inspiration for women like me…who lack in creative skill (despite desperately wishing to be more creative)…and who also lack in artistic skill (but honestly do not devote the necessary time needed to hone those artistic skills). So, what is a non-artistic speech pathologist to do? Bring the ECMC into the office, of course! What could be more inspiring?
The Beauty of Art
Our name, Stillwater Speech Therapy, is near and dear to my heart. To me, it signifies calmness, reassurance, safety, and nature/new beginnings. Which is why I was thrilled to obtain a tree painting from Jessica Duffy, of Naptime Designs, to grace our walls. It has a Wow! factor and is admired by all who walk through our door. Our tree is a fabulous conversation starter, and it represents something different to everyone…to me it symbolizes growth, endurance, resilience, and endless possibility.
The Element of Surprise
Our clients work hard and practice hard…because we ALWAYS send a home program after each session. For our youngest clients, homework can be…well, challenging. To provide a little inspiration, we have super cute and super FUN homework bags that go back and forth between home and the office, as we trade out the old and familiar, for new and inspiring homework materials. Many thanks to Jeanette Smith of Stamp*Stitch*Create for helping make homework and practice that much more inspiring and meaningful for the little ones.
Friendly Competition (and a score card!)
Last, but certainly not least…I have to give props to Jen Connors, of Blue Frog Creations. We have THE BEST beanbag toss games in our office, and beanbags are hands down, a top requested item. That is no small compliment, because we have A LOT of toys. Many a game has been created because of those beanbags. They are a great motivator, and have made speech therapy “AWESOME”, “THE BEST”, and “FUN” (from the mouths of cool kids).
A Personalized Touch for Continued Success
These are just a sample of individualized and hand-crafted items, locally made in Atlantic Canada, that inspire. Whether our clients and families take a moment to pause & reflect, practice a little bit more, or persevere & participate with an extra douse of enthusiasm, inspiration from the work of others is a constant variable. Many thanks, to the ECMC mommas, for continuing to inspire us and our clients.
Talk soon,
Julie
