Okay, so back in May I had this brilliant idea of starting posting my thoughts and going ons in a blog...worked well for the two times that I actually did it. Here I have been sitting all summer - reflecting - having some serious "ahh haa" moments yet I failed to even think of the idea of writing them down. Okay, so maybe my revelations were few and far between, and they probably weren't that stellar, but still, I could've found SOMETHING to write.
ANYWAYS....
Summer has come and gone. It's been two months of relaxation and little stress. Well now it seems like little stress...but I didn't escape from being myself this summer - I still managed to make the most insignificant and meaningless things somehow overwhelm me to the point of paranoia. But once again I escaped free of harm - at least I think I did. In all honesty, although summer wasn't overly exciting, it's been great and I won't forget it.
Part of me wishes that I had trips and adventures to write about...but a bigger part is thankful for the little experiences that too often we overlook. I think that it's sometimes those little experiences that are the greatest teachers - if we are wiling to learn. This past year I've become a lot more willing to learn.
Not that long ago a close friend of mine put me on the spot. I was talking (trying to sound smart, mature, and philosophical) about how I felt I had really grown as an individual this past year. I explained how I felt more grounded on my own two feet (emotionally, psychologically, etc.) than I did just a short year ago. Well not thinking I'd have to back this up, he asked "tell me specifically what you have learned..." After some thought I sent him my response...
In the past year I've learned that life is short and it's best not to dwell on things that make you frown. I've learned that being disappointed is sometimes fair and justified but that it's not worth the effort to get mad. You miss a lot of good stuff if you spend your time being mad. Laugh even when it isn't funny because one day it will be. I've learned the importance of having enough respect for yourself to stand up for what you believe in - those who truly care don't expect you to make such compromises. The words "I believe in you" can truly go a long ways. I've learned what it feels like to be both devalued and valued - and as a result will try my hardest to make sure that people always feel that latter. I've been told the words "I think God put you in my life for a reason and for that I'm thankful" - and I believe it. I've had students who have weathered storms and brought a new meaning to the words "Stand Back Up". I have much to be thankful for yet I still find myself taking time to complain. I learned that being a teacher is the most noble profession there is - and while I am the teacher - I get to be a student - learning more every day.
I realized that soup from a can isn't that bad and as a result it's become my staple food. Instant mashed potatoes do have their place, and indulging in a chocolate bar is a pleasure that is tough to beat. It's important to be flexible and not work so hard at making things happen, but rather, let things happen. I learned that I really do like long walks all by myself - they aren't as boring as I once thought them to be. I've learned that it's okay to be my quiet shy self - but that sometimes it feels good to push myself out of my comfort zone and do things people would never expect. I realized how important it is to find at least one person that you can talk to when you need it - knowing that they won't judge but just listen. I've learned that you learn a lot by just sitting and listening and sometimes by saying nothing you say more than you will ever know. It's okay to be crazy sometimes and "some mistakes are too much fun to only make once... there are things in life that I regret, and some things that haven't happened yet" (thanks brad paisley). It's all in the attitude - if you want something to happen you go and make it happen.
I could probably write a long time, as I've only scratched the surface. But overall I've really began to realize that life is a gift we are given. It is precious. I have been blessed in many ways and am not thankful enough. I LOVE my family more than I could ever say, and this last year I've really made it a priority to make sure that I don't go to sleep unless those I'm closest to know how much I care, value, and love them. I've learned a lot...so think to yourself - what have you learned?
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Friday, August 31, 2007
It's been a while..
Okay, so back in May I had this brilliant idea of starting posting my thoughts and going ons in a blog...worked well for the two times that I actually did it. Here I have been sitting all summer - reflecting - having some serious "ahh haa" moments yet I failed to even think of the idea of writing them down. Okay, so maybe my revelations were few and far between, and they probably weren't that stellar, but still, I could've found SOMETHING to write.
ANYWAYS....
Summer has come and gone. It's been two months of relaxation and little stress. Well now it seems like little stress...but I didn't escape from being myself this summer - I still managed to make the most insignificant and meaningless things somehow overwhelm me to the point of paranoia. But once again I escaped free of harm - at least I think I did. In all honesty, although summer wasn't overly exciting, it's been great and I won't forget it.
Part of me wishes that I had trips and adventures to write about...but a bigger part is thankful for the little experiences that too often we overlook. I think that it's sometimes those little experiences that are the greatest teachers - if we are wiling to learn. This past year I've become a lot more willing to learn.
Not that long ago a close friend of mine put me on the spot. I was talking (trying to sound smart, mature, and philosophical) about how I felt I had really grown as an individual this past year. I explained how I felt more grounded on my own two feet (emotionally, psychologically, etc.) than I did just a short year ago. Well not thinking I'd have to back this up, he asked "tell me specifically what you have learned..." After some thought I sent him my response...
In the past year I've learned that life is short and it's best not to dwell on things that make you frown. I've learned that being disappointed is sometimes fair and justified but that it's not worth the effort to get mad. You miss a lot of good stuff if you spend your time being mad. Laugh even when it isn't funny because one day it will be. I've learned the importance of having enough respect for yourself to stand up for what you believe in - those who truly care don't expect you to make such compromises. The words "I believe in you" can truly go a long ways. I've learned what it feels like to be both devalued and valued - and as a result will try my hardest to make sure that people always feel that latter. I've been told the words "I think God put you in my life for a reason and for that I'm thankful" - and I believe it. I've had students who have weathered storms and brought a new meaning to the words "Stand Back Up". I have much to be thankful for yet I still find myself taking time to complain. I learned that being a teacher is the most noble profession there is - and while I am the teacher - I get to be a student - learning more every day.
I realized that soup from a can isn't that bad and as a result it's become my staple food. Instant mashed potatoes do have their place, and indulging in a chocolate bar is a pleasure that is tough to beat. It's important to be flexible and not work so hard at making things happen, but rather, let things happen. I learned that I really do like long walks all by myself - they aren't as boring as I once thought them to be. I've learned that it's okay to be my quiet shy self - but that sometimes it feels good to push myself out of my comfort zone and do things people would never expect. I realized how important it is to find at least one person that you can talk to when you need it - knowing that they won't judge but just listen. I've learned that you learn a lot by just sitting and listening and sometimes by saying nothing you say more than you will ever know. It's okay to be crazy sometimes and "some mistakes are too much fun to only make once... there are things in life that I regret, and some things that haven't happened yet" (thanks brad paisley). It's all in the attitude - if you want something to happen you go and make it happen.
I could probably write a long time, as I've only scratched the surface. But overall I've really began to realize that life is a gift we are given. It is precious. I have been blessed in many ways and am not thankful enough. I LOVE my family more than I could ever say, and this last year I've really made it a priority to make sure that I don't go to sleep unless those I'm closest to know how much I care, value, and love them. I've learned a lot...so think to yourself - what have you learned?
ANYWAYS....
Summer has come and gone. It's been two months of relaxation and little stress. Well now it seems like little stress...but I didn't escape from being myself this summer - I still managed to make the most insignificant and meaningless things somehow overwhelm me to the point of paranoia. But once again I escaped free of harm - at least I think I did. In all honesty, although summer wasn't overly exciting, it's been great and I won't forget it.
Part of me wishes that I had trips and adventures to write about...but a bigger part is thankful for the little experiences that too often we overlook. I think that it's sometimes those little experiences that are the greatest teachers - if we are wiling to learn. This past year I've become a lot more willing to learn.
Not that long ago a close friend of mine put me on the spot. I was talking (trying to sound smart, mature, and philosophical) about how I felt I had really grown as an individual this past year. I explained how I felt more grounded on my own two feet (emotionally, psychologically, etc.) than I did just a short year ago. Well not thinking I'd have to back this up, he asked "tell me specifically what you have learned..." After some thought I sent him my response...
In the past year I've learned that life is short and it's best not to dwell on things that make you frown. I've learned that being disappointed is sometimes fair and justified but that it's not worth the effort to get mad. You miss a lot of good stuff if you spend your time being mad. Laugh even when it isn't funny because one day it will be. I've learned the importance of having enough respect for yourself to stand up for what you believe in - those who truly care don't expect you to make such compromises. The words "I believe in you" can truly go a long ways. I've learned what it feels like to be both devalued and valued - and as a result will try my hardest to make sure that people always feel that latter. I've been told the words "I think God put you in my life for a reason and for that I'm thankful" - and I believe it. I've had students who have weathered storms and brought a new meaning to the words "Stand Back Up". I have much to be thankful for yet I still find myself taking time to complain. I learned that being a teacher is the most noble profession there is - and while I am the teacher - I get to be a student - learning more every day.
I realized that soup from a can isn't that bad and as a result it's become my staple food. Instant mashed potatoes do have their place, and indulging in a chocolate bar is a pleasure that is tough to beat. It's important to be flexible and not work so hard at making things happen, but rather, let things happen. I learned that I really do like long walks all by myself - they aren't as boring as I once thought them to be. I've learned that it's okay to be my quiet shy self - but that sometimes it feels good to push myself out of my comfort zone and do things people would never expect. I realized how important it is to find at least one person that you can talk to when you need it - knowing that they won't judge but just listen. I've learned that you learn a lot by just sitting and listening and sometimes by saying nothing you say more than you will ever know. It's okay to be crazy sometimes and "some mistakes are too much fun to only make once... there are things in life that I regret, and some things that haven't happened yet" (thanks brad paisley). It's all in the attitude - if you want something to happen you go and make it happen.
I could probably write a long time, as I've only scratched the surface. But overall I've really began to realize that life is a gift we are given. It is precious. I have been blessed in many ways and am not thankful enough. I LOVE my family more than I could ever say, and this last year I've really made it a priority to make sure that I don't go to sleep unless those I'm closest to know how much I care, value, and love them. I've learned a lot...so think to yourself - what have you learned?
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