CHADRON – The 39th annual Excellence in Early Childhood conference hosted by Chadron State College Feb. 21-22, featured keynote speaker Erin Ramsey, an author and national presenter. Ramsey told childcare providers, students, and administrators in attendance that childcare is one of the most important jobs in the world.

“Your well-being affects everyone and everything in your life. You are taking care of our future,” she said.

She reviewed symptoms of burnout and shared tools she said saved her health and her marriage.

“Joy is the antidote to almost everything,” Ramsey said. “Even after an atrocity, which is just part of the human condition, we get to decide how we will continue. Claim as many fresh starts as you need.”

She shared an experience when she saw a young man in an airport wearing a T-shirt with the phrase don’t postpone joy on it. She talked to him about the phrase and learned it came from a friend named Joy who teased her friends when they put her off, saying, “Don’t postpone Joy.” When the young woman was killed in a car crash, her friends had the T-shirts printed and wore them in her honor.

Ramsey led the group in breathing exercises intended to provide centering and grounding.

“You are a magnet. You attract either positive or negative. You decide how you react and where you will put your energy,” she said. “We always match the energy of others around us. Be sure to match the type of energy you want in your life.”

Ramsey told conference attendees that their emotions can provide important information.

“Welcome your feelings and then let them go. They are data. Notice what they are telling you,” she said. “Ask yourself if an issue will matter in five years. If it won’t, then don’t spend five minutes on it.”

Ramsey shared prose she wrote about her young granddaughter in Dec. 2020 as an example of developing the courage to create a blank canvas rather than just scribbling inside the lines. When the child was given a blank sheet of paper and asked to color whatever she wanted, Ramsey marveled at the expansive rainbow, hearts, and math equations the child created.

“Think about your life. Think intentionally about how you are going to show up for the week. Think expansively. Make yourself your biggest project,” she said. “Think about the goals you want to celebrate at this conference next year.”

She shared an example of a memorable moment when her grandchildren asked her where bees slept on her 54-acre lavender farm in Kentucky. Several days later, she noticed a bee curled up on a flower like it was sleeping. She brought the flower to her deck and checked it the next morning. The bee was still curled up, asleep. She took a photo and shared it with her grandchildren.

“I could have just ignored their question, but I paid attention to it, and then the answer came. This will happen over and over if you welcome it and are aware of your priorities,” she said.

Gratitude is another approach that provides more enjoyment from daily living, according to Ramsey.

“Have gratitude parties in your center. Gratitude should be an integral part of your program. Every day, write down a memorable moment,” she said.

She advised the audience to adopt an abundance mindset rather than a scarcity mindset.

“Walk a labyrinth. Start having more fun. Show yourself more love. Love is unlimited and the possibilities are endless,” she said.

Ramsey and her family have built a labyrinth on their lavender farm, and she tries to walk labyrinths when she travels to make presentations.

She encouraged childcare providers to enhance daily routines, a practice also called inspiration stacking. She installed an app on her phone to identify birds and has recorded 14 different kinds. Once she realized how much this contact with nature was revitalizing her, she placed a bird-feeding station in front of the window by her exercise bike so she could watch the birds while working on her fitness goals.

Embracing uncertainty is another tool Ramsey said will help prevent burnout.

“Deepak Chopra says when things are uncertain, that’s where the possibilities are. Uncertainty is magical. I was skeptical when I first heard this, but now I fully believe it,” she said.