"It's here...it's here" my children cried out this morning, (and by children I mean both my own 2 kids and all of my children at school because let's face it, they are my kids too)... "yes, it is here" I casually replied trying ever so desperately to contain my excitement over the fact that yes, it is finally here....the last day of the school year!!!!! I thought to myself this morning....I have made it another year in this profession...all without getting too many new gray hairs, only gaining 1 extra wrinkle or two, and maintaining most of my mental faculties....not too bad, I must say. As I pondered this thought about the end of another school year, I realized that I have been out of high school for 20 years....20 years......I can't believe just how quickly those 20 years have gone by. It seems like just yesterday, I was graduating high school with all of the hopes and dreams every 17 year-old has....(I was going to be rich and famous with a fabulous life, right??)
I actually can't complain about life too much especially compared to what many people have to go through or have gone through....sure, there have been some difficult times, bumps along the way if you will, but who doesn't go through that? I am very blessed with all that I have, and have to say that many of the bumps along the way or tough times I have fallen upon have actually been a result of my own doing. Some have just been part of life, but a lot have been my fault....hard to admit that, but it's true. To that end, my top ten list is pieces of advice I would give to those who are graduating this week....just some things to consider as this new journey of "life after high school" begins....this is not intended to be professional advice, just some things I have learned along the way the past 20 years that I thought are worth sharing...
1. Learn effective communication and listening skills....even if you have to take a class for it. Being able to communicate, as well as listen are essential keys and tools for success.
2. Don't burn any bridges you may one day have to cross back over....and trust me, you will have to cross back over a bridge at least once in your lifetime.
3. Take care of your reputation by carefully considering the choices you make, and don't be afraid to stick up for what you believe in even if it is not the popular choice. You may not be liked by following this piece of advice, but you will be respected.
4. Don't buy something you don't have money in the bank to pay for. There is nothing in this world you "need" that badly. Credit is a good thing to have, but it is not something you should live off of...it's very difficult to repair bad credit once you've messed it up. (and creditors love to prey upon young college students- trust me I was once one of those)
5. Be kind to others. Not always an easy thing to do, as people will make you mad and are in general not kind. However, you will get much farther in life in the end if you are kind....(just don't mistake being kind for being a doormat. There's a difference and people will take advantage of you if you let them.)
6. Listen to your parents, professors, teachers, and in general those that are older than you. You will still likely do what you want to do anyway, as that is part of life and part of learning and growing, however those people in your life are only trying to help you safely navigate through life because they care about you. Many times they are trying to prevent you from making the same mistakes that they made.....there is wisdom with age, so listen to them even if you don't agree and/or don't want to...someday you will be one of them and you will understand.
7. Make it a point to tell those you love and care about that you love and care about them. You never know when you will see them last, and it's an awful feeling to want to tell someone and realize you can't because they're no longer here.
8. Remember when faced with tough times that someone always has it worse than you. There is something positive that can be taken away from every situation....so look for that silver lining.
9. Mistakes are going to happen...you will make them and it's okay. What makes the difference is how you handle things when you do mess up and what you learn/take away from those situations.
10. Enjoy life and all it brings....you are given one life to live, so handle it with care and make the most of it!
May 14, 2013
Top Ten Tuesday- Some of my favorite things
So my top ten list for today centers around some of my favorite things. Over this past weekend, I got to experience some of my favorite things, and got to thinking about it so thought I'd use it as a topic for today's top ten list....everyone can identify and list their favorite things...you know those things and moments in life that when you experience or think about them bring you to your "happy place", warm your heart, and make you smile. This is by no means a complete list of my favorite things nor are these necessarily in any particular order....I really enjoy a lot of things, but these are the first ten that came to my mind today when thinking of this topic.
1. My children's laughter...they have the best laughs...you know the kind that come from your belly....it's sheer delight-while individual and unique, both bring a smile to my face and brighten my day instantly. If I could bottle up their laughs and sell them, I would be a millionaire...
2. The smell of fresh cut grass... in particular on a summer evening or spring morning when wild onions have been cut along with the grass....and also the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. (I know that last one's a little strange...but it is what it is)
3. Sweet Tea- this to me is the nectar of the gods and hands down is my favorite drink....it has to be freshly brewed, sweet tea and not the northern substitution of "flavored tea" or the tea you get in a can or otherwise prepared- yes, I am a tea snob and have to say my favorite is Chick-fil-A sweet tea....its the closest thing to "gigi" tea (this is the sweet tea my grandmother used to make me when I was a little girl....it was really "a little tea with your sugar" kind of sweet tea, but it was the best...what I would give to have a tall glass of "gig" tea today....thankfully she taught me the secret before she passed away though when I make it's still not quite the same)
4. I love office supplies and office supply stores....pens, markers, paper, organizers, etc....I love them all. One of the perks of my job is that I get to use office supplies every day....am pretty sure that classifies me a somewhat of a geek, but that's okay.
5. Music- I LOVE music....really all kinds, except for the whole 90's grunge thing....I just can't get into that or super weird alternative or otherwise eclectic, artsy fartsy music....other than that, I love it all...A song with its tune and/or lyrics can always express things I feel but am unable to communicate.... Music gets me right to my core...and I don't know what I would do without it. My preference is usually directly linked to my mood at the time but there are several songs that are just staples in my musical preference. You know like the favorite pair of shoes that go with anything or your favorite pair of jeans that you can wear anytime....For some people their comfort solace is in food....for me its music.
6. Sports- I love sports....playing, watching, really anything involving sports...To me there is just nothing better than a baseball game on a summer night or spring afternoon or a football game in the Fall....whether it's a high school ball game, college game, or a professional one each has its own appeal....I love the whole experience from the hamburgers and hot dogs to the cheers and jeers of the crowd, all while watching with anticipation to see if my team is going to win....(though to be honest, I'd go and watch even if it wasn't my favorite team)....I spent a good bit of time on the ball field growing up with my dad who played when I was young, and then as I got older these were things we did together to spend time with each other...often times not a word was spoken, but the memories made and time spent is priceless....I've been to some great games in my lifetime....
7. Trivia and little know facts about random things...I am fascinated by these things....useless information although sometimes you never know when it can come in handy or when you'll need to use it for something
8. I love food.....especially good food...I think it ties in with the sensory part of who I am....and while I love to cook and enjoy home-cooked meals, I thoroughly enjoy the dining out experience.....especially when the company is good.
9. NYC-- It's my favorite city to visit....I love the hustle and bustle, the lights, the noise....it's just like the movies and there's so much to do, see, and experience there....every time I go it's something different.
10. I love life and its adventures with all the craziness, happiness, sadness, etc....it brings and am so blessed to have a good one.
Have a happy Tuesday!! :)
1. My children's laughter...they have the best laughs...you know the kind that come from your belly....it's sheer delight-while individual and unique, both bring a smile to my face and brighten my day instantly. If I could bottle up their laughs and sell them, I would be a millionaire...
2. The smell of fresh cut grass... in particular on a summer evening or spring morning when wild onions have been cut along with the grass....and also the smell of freshly sharpened pencils. (I know that last one's a little strange...but it is what it is)
3. Sweet Tea- this to me is the nectar of the gods and hands down is my favorite drink....it has to be freshly brewed, sweet tea and not the northern substitution of "flavored tea" or the tea you get in a can or otherwise prepared- yes, I am a tea snob and have to say my favorite is Chick-fil-A sweet tea....its the closest thing to "gigi" tea (this is the sweet tea my grandmother used to make me when I was a little girl....it was really "a little tea with your sugar" kind of sweet tea, but it was the best...what I would give to have a tall glass of "gig" tea today....thankfully she taught me the secret before she passed away though when I make it's still not quite the same)
4. I love office supplies and office supply stores....pens, markers, paper, organizers, etc....I love them all. One of the perks of my job is that I get to use office supplies every day....am pretty sure that classifies me a somewhat of a geek, but that's okay.
5. Music- I LOVE music....really all kinds, except for the whole 90's grunge thing....I just can't get into that or super weird alternative or otherwise eclectic, artsy fartsy music....other than that, I love it all...A song with its tune and/or lyrics can always express things I feel but am unable to communicate.... Music gets me right to my core...and I don't know what I would do without it. My preference is usually directly linked to my mood at the time but there are several songs that are just staples in my musical preference. You know like the favorite pair of shoes that go with anything or your favorite pair of jeans that you can wear anytime....For some people their comfort solace is in food....for me its music.
6. Sports- I love sports....playing, watching, really anything involving sports...To me there is just nothing better than a baseball game on a summer night or spring afternoon or a football game in the Fall....whether it's a high school ball game, college game, or a professional one each has its own appeal....I love the whole experience from the hamburgers and hot dogs to the cheers and jeers of the crowd, all while watching with anticipation to see if my team is going to win....(though to be honest, I'd go and watch even if it wasn't my favorite team)....I spent a good bit of time on the ball field growing up with my dad who played when I was young, and then as I got older these were things we did together to spend time with each other...often times not a word was spoken, but the memories made and time spent is priceless....I've been to some great games in my lifetime....
7. Trivia and little know facts about random things...I am fascinated by these things....useless information although sometimes you never know when it can come in handy or when you'll need to use it for something
8. I love food.....especially good food...I think it ties in with the sensory part of who I am....and while I love to cook and enjoy home-cooked meals, I thoroughly enjoy the dining out experience.....especially when the company is good.
9. NYC-- It's my favorite city to visit....I love the hustle and bustle, the lights, the noise....it's just like the movies and there's so much to do, see, and experience there....every time I go it's something different.
10. I love life and its adventures with all the craziness, happiness, sadness, etc....it brings and am so blessed to have a good one.
Have a happy Tuesday!! :)
May 8, 2013
Unexpected appreciation
This week is teacher appreciation week, and being that I am a teacher it's been a week filled with a few little extra special treats at school. I have to say, I have enjoyed the thoughtful gestures, lunch, breakfast, and other things I have received from our PTSA, administration, and of course the students....everyone likes to feel appreciated, and they have done a great job with that here at the school where I work.
Regardless of it's often flawed philosophies, ever-changing strategies, and a host of other things beyond my control that make this job challenging at times, I am so blessed and privileged to be in this profession and would not trade it for anything in the world.
Aside from the planned celebrations, perhaps the most special thing was an unexpected note I received today from one of my students. You see it's the student that no one really wants to work with, often times comes into class with a slight, what I affectionately call a "teenage" attitude, and will occasionally choose not do do anything. I have to admit this student has tried my patience a time or two, but after months of working with this student some good days and bad days, we have finally reached a mutual understanding of each other's expectations and I have been quite pleased with the progress. (I have to say, I have high expectations for my students regardless of their circumstances although knowing it make take some longer than others to meet my expectations- eventually they all get there in the end.....students/kids in general will rise to meet you if you will set the bar for them) At any rate, this particular student wrote me a note....it was a simple note, but one that warmed my heart and admittedly brought a tear to my eye. ( I had to correct some of the spelling errors and a few other things, but tried to leave it as close to its original form as possible)
The note said:
"Dear Mrs. Jenkins,
Thank you for everything you do for me and for being so kind....and oh yeah, always smiling. It makes me happy to come to your class, and I'm thankful for all your hard-work and patience you put into teaching me/us. Mostly that you believe in me and think I can be something when I get out of here. You make me want to work harder and do better in school because I don't want to let you down. You are the best. I will miss you if I don't have you next year, but can I come by and visit you in your classroom and you will still help me, right? "
I could hardly believe it, and have to say this is a highlight in my 14-year career as an educator. Never would I have expected this from this student. If you could see this student and know this student you would really understand how remarkable this note is. For all the difficulties, challenges, and otherwise unpleasant things my profession can sometimes bring, times like these make it all worthwhile and I would do it all over again in a heart-beat without question. (It's kind of like giving birth/having kids....all the stuff you go through for 9-months of carrying them, the physical pain of having them, and then all the stuff that follows after they're born is completely worth it when they learn to talk and tell you, "mommy, I love you....or thank you mommy for taking care of me, etc...." There is nothing like it and that makes it all worthwhile.)
Happy teacher appreciation week to all! May this serve as a reminder that all is not lost and often times the most difficult, hard to handle kids are the ones who need us the most. This has definitely brightened my day....along with the beautiful, warm SUNSHINE!!!! Hopefully it will do the same for you.....
Regardless of it's often flawed philosophies, ever-changing strategies, and a host of other things beyond my control that make this job challenging at times, I am so blessed and privileged to be in this profession and would not trade it for anything in the world.
Aside from the planned celebrations, perhaps the most special thing was an unexpected note I received today from one of my students. You see it's the student that no one really wants to work with, often times comes into class with a slight, what I affectionately call a "teenage" attitude, and will occasionally choose not do do anything. I have to admit this student has tried my patience a time or two, but after months of working with this student some good days and bad days, we have finally reached a mutual understanding of each other's expectations and I have been quite pleased with the progress. (I have to say, I have high expectations for my students regardless of their circumstances although knowing it make take some longer than others to meet my expectations- eventually they all get there in the end.....students/kids in general will rise to meet you if you will set the bar for them) At any rate, this particular student wrote me a note....it was a simple note, but one that warmed my heart and admittedly brought a tear to my eye. ( I had to correct some of the spelling errors and a few other things, but tried to leave it as close to its original form as possible)
The note said:
"Dear Mrs. Jenkins,
Thank you for everything you do for me and for being so kind....and oh yeah, always smiling. It makes me happy to come to your class, and I'm thankful for all your hard-work and patience you put into teaching me/us. Mostly that you believe in me and think I can be something when I get out of here. You make me want to work harder and do better in school because I don't want to let you down. You are the best. I will miss you if I don't have you next year, but can I come by and visit you in your classroom and you will still help me, right? "
I could hardly believe it, and have to say this is a highlight in my 14-year career as an educator. Never would I have expected this from this student. If you could see this student and know this student you would really understand how remarkable this note is. For all the difficulties, challenges, and otherwise unpleasant things my profession can sometimes bring, times like these make it all worthwhile and I would do it all over again in a heart-beat without question. (It's kind of like giving birth/having kids....all the stuff you go through for 9-months of carrying them, the physical pain of having them, and then all the stuff that follows after they're born is completely worth it when they learn to talk and tell you, "mommy, I love you....or thank you mommy for taking care of me, etc...." There is nothing like it and that makes it all worthwhile.)
Happy teacher appreciation week to all! May this serve as a reminder that all is not lost and often times the most difficult, hard to handle kids are the ones who need us the most. This has definitely brightened my day....along with the beautiful, warm SUNSHINE!!!! Hopefully it will do the same for you.....
May 7, 2013
Top Ten Tuesday: Some famous movie quotes.....
Today in my American Lit class, we were discussing the upcoming movie release of The Great Gatsby (we are reading this novel in class currently, and the movie comes out Friday). While discussing the happenings of the novel up to the current chapter in addition to whether or not we thought the movie would be the same, the topic of great movies and movie quotes came up. Now, I love movies- watching movies is one of my favorite things to do when I have time to do so....in fact, at times I view moments and parts my life as if they were scenes from a movie....perhaps a little odd or strange, I know, but it's what I do sometimes....especially with the good memories and thoughts...gives me the opportunity to rewind, pause, press play, and repeat them etc....which can definitely make a not so good day better.... At any rate, during lunch today, I started to think about this and came up with a sort of list of famous movie quotes....This is by no means and exhaustive list, as there are far more I could have included, but rather just a few that came to mind while on this topic.....so, I thought I'd share. Enjoy!! :)
1. "You can't handle the truth" (A Few Good Men)
2. "There's no crying in baseball" (A League of Their Own)- This one is said almost daily in my house especially whenever one of my 5-year olds cries for no apparent reason.
3. "Houston, we have a problem" (Apollo, 13)
4. "What we have here is a failure to communicate" (Cool Hand Luke) - I have to admit I have used this one a time or two both at home and at school.
5. "I'll have what she's having" (When Harry met Sally)- I have to say this is one of my favorites...love this movie and this particular scene from the movie...a classic
6. "Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?" (Rush Hour)- This one is used regularly....and I have to say that when I use this one or think of this one, for some reason I feel the need to say it the way in which the character said it which is really quite something to see....
7. "Don't act like you're not impressed" (Anchorman)- One of the funniest, stupid movies I have ever seen.....you have to appreciate this kind of humor in order to appreciate this quote....it's definitely not intellectual....funny nonetheless
8. "Life is like a box of chocolates..." (Forrest Gump)- One of the more profound movie quotes...
9. "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya...?" (Dirty Harry)
10. "Thank you sir, may I have another" (Animal House)- This one comes to mind, often with much sarcasm....especially after any rough day at work or whenever the day just seems to continue piling on things and I can't catch a break...it always makes me feel better and does the trick
Of course there are so many more I could add to this list, but this will do for now.
1. "You can't handle the truth" (A Few Good Men)
2. "There's no crying in baseball" (A League of Their Own)- This one is said almost daily in my house especially whenever one of my 5-year olds cries for no apparent reason.
3. "Houston, we have a problem" (Apollo, 13)
4. "What we have here is a failure to communicate" (Cool Hand Luke) - I have to admit I have used this one a time or two both at home and at school.
5. "I'll have what she's having" (When Harry met Sally)- I have to say this is one of my favorites...love this movie and this particular scene from the movie...a classic
6. "Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?" (Rush Hour)- This one is used regularly....and I have to say that when I use this one or think of this one, for some reason I feel the need to say it the way in which the character said it which is really quite something to see....
7. "Don't act like you're not impressed" (Anchorman)- One of the funniest, stupid movies I have ever seen.....you have to appreciate this kind of humor in order to appreciate this quote....it's definitely not intellectual....funny nonetheless
8. "Life is like a box of chocolates..." (Forrest Gump)- One of the more profound movie quotes...
9. "You've got to ask yourself one question: 'Do I feel lucky?' Well, do ya...?" (Dirty Harry)
10. "Thank you sir, may I have another" (Animal House)- This one comes to mind, often with much sarcasm....especially after any rough day at work or whenever the day just seems to continue piling on things and I can't catch a break...it always makes me feel better and does the trick
Of course there are so many more I could add to this list, but this will do for now.
May 6, 2013
Funny Side of life.....Monday side up
So it's Monday, and I have just finished up a loooong day of EOCT testing at school. For those not up on school acronym's that stands for End of Course Testing. This is a contradicition in and of itself because we still have 2 1/2 weeks of school left and I am still teaching the course for which my students have just taken the end of course test. Crazy, right?? Ahhh, gotta love the school business....sometimes I really do wonder who in the world is making up the rules and when was the last time they were actually present in a real, live classroom/school? Curious as to whether or not there are others who share this view point....I will save my opinion on politics that I really can't change and focus on the fact that I am gainfully employed doing something I LOVE.....am pretty lucky in that regard because not too many people are able to say that about their jobs.
Back to Monday....Monday's are just....well, Monday's. I can't remember the last time I really got excited about Monday's except for when I have a Monday off, or have plans to do something fun, or see a friend I haven't seen in a while, and of course if it's payday...other than that, I am not a fan of Monday's.....but they do have a purpose, I suppose, though I am still searching for what that purpose is. If someone reading this knows the purpose of Monday's please let me know....
While browsing the internet over the weekend doing some research for my last few weeks of lessons at school, I came across several pictures, cartoons, etc....that depict the feeling Monday brings so I know I am not alone in my thinking....some were very humorous, some were kind of on the nasty side, and some were overly optimistic....I don't have anything incredibly enlightening to share with you today other than the fact that it's Monday....a chance to start a new week....a week closer to summer vacation....4 more days until Friday...gotta see the positive side to things, right?
At any rate, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Monday pics....maybe it'll brighten your day since the sun is still playing hide-n-seek....and hey, Monday's almost over and before you know it, it will be Friday again.....hope these make you chuckle or at least bring a half-smile to your face as they did mine....(no, it does not take much to entertain me....) Have a great Monday and week!!
Back to Monday....Monday's are just....well, Monday's. I can't remember the last time I really got excited about Monday's except for when I have a Monday off, or have plans to do something fun, or see a friend I haven't seen in a while, and of course if it's payday...other than that, I am not a fan of Monday's.....but they do have a purpose, I suppose, though I am still searching for what that purpose is. If someone reading this knows the purpose of Monday's please let me know....
While browsing the internet over the weekend doing some research for my last few weeks of lessons at school, I came across several pictures, cartoons, etc....that depict the feeling Monday brings so I know I am not alone in my thinking....some were very humorous, some were kind of on the nasty side, and some were overly optimistic....I don't have anything incredibly enlightening to share with you today other than the fact that it's Monday....a chance to start a new week....a week closer to summer vacation....4 more days until Friday...gotta see the positive side to things, right?
At any rate, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Monday pics....maybe it'll brighten your day since the sun is still playing hide-n-seek....and hey, Monday's almost over and before you know it, it will be Friday again.....hope these make you chuckle or at least bring a half-smile to your face as they did mine....(no, it does not take much to entertain me....) Have a great Monday and week!!
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May 5, 2013
Sunshine after the rain....
I know we needed the rain, but I for one am a little tired of all this cold, dreary rain we've been having. While good for my flowers, tomatoes, and corn that have been planted recently, I desperately long for the warmth of sunshine and the bright blue skies that so often accompany spring, or at least in my mind should accompany spring. Perhaps the weather hasn't realized that we are now in the month of MAY, and is stuck back in the old "April showers brings May flowers" time period...I say mother nature needs a gentle reminder that we are now in May and it's time for flowers, warmth, and sunshine. Grocery shopping, errand running, and all the other stuff that I normally do on weekend's is definitely no fun in this perpetual state of wetness, so I have decided that rainy days are better spent lounging on the couch watching movies or otherwise being unproductive. Of course there are plenty of things for me to do in the house, but somehow today watching cartoons and Disney movies with the kids was far more appealing than laundry or housework, so that's exactly what I did.(I am a little embarrassed to say that I might watch cartoons and Disney movies even if I didn't have kids...am sure there are those of you out there who would likely do the same), but I have to say I am a firm believer in the fact that at times it's okay to let the inner child out to play....when the situation, time, and location calls for it.
Such was the case this past Friday night when I took my son to play at the high school where I work. Yes, I combined work and play in the same sentence, and it is one of the perks of my job as a high school teacher....we had a senior carnival at school on Friday, and of course the inflatables etc...were rented for 24 hours, so we had a faculty night at the stadium with the kids. Since Caroline went to a sleepover with some of her little friends, I decided Brody and I would go and play because he LOVES bouncy things and playing in general. I also knew him seeing all those inflatables on the football field knowing that there was no time limit or cost and that he could jump and play his little heart out would make him the happiest little guy on the planet.....(I can honestly say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree there)....and boy did we have fun jumping and playing.....to watch him enjoying himself warmed my heart, brought a smile to my face, and will be a moment I'll cherish for years to come.
In preparation for the new week ahead of me, I took a little time to reflect a little on this past week where things were a little crazy at times (see my earlier post on flexibility). While doing so, I see the sun starting to peek through the clouds a bit and a break from all the rain...and as I am watching this, the thought occurs to me that even though there are long periods of rain that sometimes bring us down, require extra flexibility, and/or make things a little messy, there are equal moments of sunshine to balance everything out and bring us back around......this makes me smile and for that I am thankful.
Incidentally, I have posted some pictures below of Brody and me from Friday night.....such good times!
Such was the case this past Friday night when I took my son to play at the high school where I work. Yes, I combined work and play in the same sentence, and it is one of the perks of my job as a high school teacher....we had a senior carnival at school on Friday, and of course the inflatables etc...were rented for 24 hours, so we had a faculty night at the stadium with the kids. Since Caroline went to a sleepover with some of her little friends, I decided Brody and I would go and play because he LOVES bouncy things and playing in general. I also knew him seeing all those inflatables on the football field knowing that there was no time limit or cost and that he could jump and play his little heart out would make him the happiest little guy on the planet.....(I can honestly say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree there)....and boy did we have fun jumping and playing.....to watch him enjoying himself warmed my heart, brought a smile to my face, and will be a moment I'll cherish for years to come.
In preparation for the new week ahead of me, I took a little time to reflect a little on this past week where things were a little crazy at times (see my earlier post on flexibility). While doing so, I see the sun starting to peek through the clouds a bit and a break from all the rain...and as I am watching this, the thought occurs to me that even though there are long periods of rain that sometimes bring us down, require extra flexibility, and/or make things a little messy, there are equal moments of sunshine to balance everything out and bring us back around......this makes me smile and for that I am thankful.
Incidentally, I have posted some pictures below of Brody and me from Friday night.....such good times!
May 2, 2013
5 lessons I've learned this week on Flexibility
So this has been a week of flexibility lessons for me.....and no, not the kind that you would get at the gym or elsewhere for those who might be thinking crazy thoughts right now....no, rather the kind that teach us to "go with the flow". After a nice weekend, I should have known the week would throw me some curves to kind of keep the balance...you know that balance between things going great and things going not so great, so as to keep things grounded and even. Without going into too much boring detail, this week has included two trips to the doctors with my kids, a way too early in the morning conversation with my kids when I didn't have to wake up so early, 1 trip to the ER because Brody swallowed a penny, forgetting to put shoes on Caroline and realizing it only after I dropped her off at school, leaving my classroom keys and school work at home (the same morning I forgot to put shoes on Caroline....), a computer glitch with some standardized testing, (which for anyone who reads this that's in the school business knows how big a deal that can be), and a few other trivial things that really are no big deal in the grand scheme of things, but were still enough to knock me off balance a little so to speak. While reflecting today upon this past week and the events of the week, I took some time to list what I shall call "flexibility lessons" courtesy of the curves thrown to me this week....I thought I'd share in case anyone who might be reading this needs a little pep talk and reminder on the importance of being able to "go with the flow" and be flexible....who doesn't need these reminders on occasion, right?
1. Flexibility lesson one....take time to listen even if it's not really what you want to do.
2. Flexibility lesson two....you can't control everything, and sometimes you shouldn't try
3. Flexibility lesson three......always be prepared for the unexpected and adapt accordingly
4. Flexibility lesson four....always consider that your day might not go as planned and you may need to hit restart....but it will get better
5. Flexibility lesson five....if at first you don't succeed....keep on trying. Eventually, it will work out
I once heard somewhere that we grow as people when we are stretched and flexibility does go hand in hand with stretching- the more you are stretched, the more flexible you become...In life, there are many curves that come our way. The key to managing those curves is to recognize them when you see them coming and learn to be flexible with your approach based on the direction of the curve....kind of like I suspect a batter in baseball might approach a curve ball thrown at him. (It is that time of year, so I couldn't resist the baseball analogy-though not sure how accurate it is....it's just what I think)...just a little food for thought for those of you who might be struggling with some of those curves.
1. Flexibility lesson one....take time to listen even if it's not really what you want to do.
2. Flexibility lesson two....you can't control everything, and sometimes you shouldn't try
3. Flexibility lesson three......always be prepared for the unexpected and adapt accordingly
4. Flexibility lesson four....always consider that your day might not go as planned and you may need to hit restart....but it will get better
5. Flexibility lesson five....if at first you don't succeed....keep on trying. Eventually, it will work out
I once heard somewhere that we grow as people when we are stretched and flexibility does go hand in hand with stretching- the more you are stretched, the more flexible you become...In life, there are many curves that come our way. The key to managing those curves is to recognize them when you see them coming and learn to be flexible with your approach based on the direction of the curve....kind of like I suspect a batter in baseball might approach a curve ball thrown at him. (It is that time of year, so I couldn't resist the baseball analogy-though not sure how accurate it is....it's just what I think)...just a little food for thought for those of you who might be struggling with some of those curves.
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