"Faith is taking the first step, even when you don't see the whole staircase." ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.
When I was thinking about this weeks topic ~ FLY, I ran across this quote. It wasn't new to me, but for some reason I was able to look at it from a different angle. It stopped my aimless wandering through Twitter and spoke to me.
After all, isn't it the first step into the unknown that really gives us the ability to fly or reach beyond what is comfortable?
Because comfortable isn't exactly what life is about. Comfortable can breed an attitude of complacency. The definition of which is a person who is satisfied with himself. That is exactly what God doesn't intend for us -- He intends a life that is full of growth.
After all, He isn't finished with me yet.
This is good.
It kind of sounds like I'm wishing for difficult times, doesn't it? I'm really NOT, because, well, I'm human. However, I can step back and see how it's during those difficult times when I embraced faith and kept trudging forward that I was allowed to reach heights that I never knew were possible.
Which teaches me a lesson within itself. It's when I cling to faith that I focus on what He wants and not me. It's when I trust Him that he shows me new ways.
His ways -- not mine.
At 20 I would have laughed at you if you told me that at my age I'd have four children, be teaching 8th grade, and living in Tennessee. My plan was to have my doctorate, be a college professor, and be a strong voice in the field of education.
Yet I'd be missing out on so much wonderful - the overall beauty of my family, the strength of my love, my passion for teaching the exact kids who sit in chairs in my room every day. I'd miss out on the beauty of the sunrise, the mystery of the fog that walks through the fields on my drive to work, the laughter of my daughter giggling with her friends at lunch. I'd miss out on being in the exact place, the exact spot that God intends for me to be. It is so much better than I imagined at 20.
I find it's so much easier to fly when I let go of my control and give it to God. The Father who has plans for me, who knows me, who loves me despite my shortcomings.
Therefore, it's with his help that I will use this year to fly. I want to serve as He needs me to serve. I want to listen. I want to learn.
Thank you, Michelle, for giving us this topic to contemplate.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Listen
I'm not always good at listening.
I'm good at knowing what I want. I'm good at figuring out ways to explain it. I'm good at moving forward with what I think is best.
But listening sometimes takes a back seat -- yet it's one of the most important things I can do.
When I hear negative words - words that scream, "This is stupid. I hate this. Why are you torturing me?" it's easy to react. It's easy to fuel the fire, to belittle, to shift into outrage. As a human, it's a natural reaction to say, "Hey, you NEED this, so just do it."
However, if you listen instead of react, you can be surprised at what is really being said. "I don't know how to do this. I'm afraid of feeling stupid. I need you to show me that it's going to be okay."
That creates a vastly different scene. It causes a different outcome. It has the potential to change a future.
It's not always easy. In a society bent on doing more, being more, the quiet whisper of true words often is trampled. It is so easy to get caught up in it all. To worry, to rage, to do, to be, to rush, etc.
Therefore I need time to stop myself - to get centered with my relationship with God - to put things on an even keel again. To listen.
Because even though I try and figure things out for myself, what I can achieve alone is, well, nothing. It's material - temporary - fleeting. What I can achieve through God is so much more than I can ever imagine.
I don't pretend to understand why things happen. Horrible things do happen - to good people even. Instead I need to focus on listening to His will and reaching out with the skills that He has loaned me. I have to drag through the horrible with a focus on Him.
I will tell you this, it's always easier when it's with a listening ear. When I'm focused on what He needs me to hear, life is happier. It makes more sense. Even in the middle of the horrible, He gives me hope.
Of course I need to go through this process a few million times. I'm pretty slow.
So tomorrow I challenge myself to listen more - to hear the true words being said. I challenge myself to listen more -- to focus on others instead of myself. I challenge myself to listen to Him.
I'm good at knowing what I want. I'm good at figuring out ways to explain it. I'm good at moving forward with what I think is best.
But listening sometimes takes a back seat -- yet it's one of the most important things I can do.
When I hear negative words - words that scream, "This is stupid. I hate this. Why are you torturing me?" it's easy to react. It's easy to fuel the fire, to belittle, to shift into outrage. As a human, it's a natural reaction to say, "Hey, you NEED this, so just do it."
However, if you listen instead of react, you can be surprised at what is really being said. "I don't know how to do this. I'm afraid of feeling stupid. I need you to show me that it's going to be okay."
That creates a vastly different scene. It causes a different outcome. It has the potential to change a future.
It's not always easy. In a society bent on doing more, being more, the quiet whisper of true words often is trampled. It is so easy to get caught up in it all. To worry, to rage, to do, to be, to rush, etc.
Therefore I need time to stop myself - to get centered with my relationship with God - to put things on an even keel again. To listen.
Because even though I try and figure things out for myself, what I can achieve alone is, well, nothing. It's material - temporary - fleeting. What I can achieve through God is so much more than I can ever imagine.
I don't pretend to understand why things happen. Horrible things do happen - to good people even. Instead I need to focus on listening to His will and reaching out with the skills that He has loaned me. I have to drag through the horrible with a focus on Him.
I will tell you this, it's always easier when it's with a listening ear. When I'm focused on what He needs me to hear, life is happier. It makes more sense. Even in the middle of the horrible, He gives me hope.
Of course I need to go through this process a few million times. I'm pretty slow.
So tomorrow I challenge myself to listen more - to hear the true words being said. I challenge myself to listen more -- to focus on others instead of myself. I challenge myself to listen to Him.
Sunday, January 11, 2015
The beast behind the screen.
"Nobody likes you."
The words flickered across my phone screen. They sat there from an unknown number.
Ugly words, aren't they?
To me they say a lot about the speaker. The words were designed to hurt, tear down, make someone doubt her contributions in life.
As an adult, I can deal with that. I know that not everyone will like me, but I'm plenty secure enough in my own worth to laugh at this pathetic attempt to bring me down.
But it didn't stop there. You see, this wasn't intended for me at all -- it was intended for one of my children.
What does that do to our kids? During an age when social acceptance means so much, when they are navigating the world of figuring out their place, their style, their voice, how do we expect them to have the maturity to deal with nameless attacks? How do we give them the confidence to find their voice and know that words like are worthless?
Especially when the attacks that may be the reality of what they fear the most - that they have nothing to contribute.
We've all heard the adage - "Sticks and stones may break my bones . . . "
But words CAN hurt. Words have power.
Somehow I feel that with all of the benefits that social media brings to our table, it also invites a new kind of monster. It allows people to say or do things that they would never do in public. It allows a new kind of screen to hide behind.
I was witness to this on Twitter this week. Many nearby districts decided to cancel school because of extreme cold. Ours didn't. Now I like a good snow day as much as the next person. It a gift because all of the sudden a large load is lifted off of my plate and replaced with something unexpected. However, I also know that our superintendent will make his best call for the district. My voicing of the fact that I wanted to have an unexpected day off would do nothing to his decision. In fact, it was a little selfish on my part.
The pleas started early. When he told them that we would have school on time (actually we opened early to make sure no one was left out in the cold, busses were started early, etc.) it started to get ugly. It became a mob mentality - who could outdo the last post. The Twitter community was on fire - names were called, relationships were hurt.
As if bullying the superintendent would change his mind. It didn't. We had school. I had a great day with my students.
So how do we face the monster we are creating? The fact that people can "lose their filter" when it comes to posting something for all to read?
As an adult, my first responsibility is to look at my practices on-line. There is little I can do if I don't follow my own advice. Do I post things that are designed to hurt, designed to encourage ridicule, designed to make someone else feel "less than" me? If so, that has to change. After all, it is personal to someone. We all have moments that we don't want chronicled and broadcasted to the world. Instead I choose to encourage.
Even if it is a stranger - the stranger has important contributions to share with the world.
As a teacher, my responsibility is to teach my students about digital citizenship. What they post has the potential to be out there forever. They live in a world that is so different from the one I grew up in -- when I fell on my face in high school, only those around me saw it. Today it could be shared with the world - open to the comments of strangers who delight in judging behind their screens. Today students navigate pressures from many sources - a stupid decision can linger. This makes it more important than ever to examine consequences of on-line bullying.
After all, every student adds a unique contribution to the world.
As a parent, my responsibility is to help my child navigate on-line situations. Conversations are important. As much as kids may complain about talking about their day, keep having conversations. Listen. Then when something comes up, they have a place to go. Share books with them that deal with problems, read with them, discuss what you think the protagonist should have done in that situation. Love them. Remind them of this often. Share perspective - will this be important in 5 years? 10 years? Does this person mean something to you? From that point you can help your child see possible solutions/perspectives.
After all, your child is important to the world.
As a human it is my responsibility to remind myself that I cannot control the actions of others, I can only control my reactions to things. Therefore, I will choose to not post in anger, choose to post in a positive tone (as much as possible), choose to be respectful, and choose to be a source of joy. When make mistakes (and I will), I choose to apologize, choose to make amends, and choose to learn from those mistakes. The hardest part for me is this last one -- I choose to not give power to others through comments that are designed to hurt, belittle, or steal happiness.
Because I matter to the world as well.
The words flickered across my phone screen. They sat there from an unknown number.
Ugly words, aren't they?
To me they say a lot about the speaker. The words were designed to hurt, tear down, make someone doubt her contributions in life.
As an adult, I can deal with that. I know that not everyone will like me, but I'm plenty secure enough in my own worth to laugh at this pathetic attempt to bring me down.
But it didn't stop there. You see, this wasn't intended for me at all -- it was intended for one of my children.
What does that do to our kids? During an age when social acceptance means so much, when they are navigating the world of figuring out their place, their style, their voice, how do we expect them to have the maturity to deal with nameless attacks? How do we give them the confidence to find their voice and know that words like are worthless?
Especially when the attacks that may be the reality of what they fear the most - that they have nothing to contribute.
We've all heard the adage - "Sticks and stones may break my bones . . . "
But words CAN hurt. Words have power.
Somehow I feel that with all of the benefits that social media brings to our table, it also invites a new kind of monster. It allows people to say or do things that they would never do in public. It allows a new kind of screen to hide behind.
I was witness to this on Twitter this week. Many nearby districts decided to cancel school because of extreme cold. Ours didn't. Now I like a good snow day as much as the next person. It a gift because all of the sudden a large load is lifted off of my plate and replaced with something unexpected. However, I also know that our superintendent will make his best call for the district. My voicing of the fact that I wanted to have an unexpected day off would do nothing to his decision. In fact, it was a little selfish on my part.
The pleas started early. When he told them that we would have school on time (actually we opened early to make sure no one was left out in the cold, busses were started early, etc.) it started to get ugly. It became a mob mentality - who could outdo the last post. The Twitter community was on fire - names were called, relationships were hurt.
As if bullying the superintendent would change his mind. It didn't. We had school. I had a great day with my students.
So how do we face the monster we are creating? The fact that people can "lose their filter" when it comes to posting something for all to read?
As an adult, my first responsibility is to look at my practices on-line. There is little I can do if I don't follow my own advice. Do I post things that are designed to hurt, designed to encourage ridicule, designed to make someone else feel "less than" me? If so, that has to change. After all, it is personal to someone. We all have moments that we don't want chronicled and broadcasted to the world. Instead I choose to encourage.
Even if it is a stranger - the stranger has important contributions to share with the world.
As a teacher, my responsibility is to teach my students about digital citizenship. What they post has the potential to be out there forever. They live in a world that is so different from the one I grew up in -- when I fell on my face in high school, only those around me saw it. Today it could be shared with the world - open to the comments of strangers who delight in judging behind their screens. Today students navigate pressures from many sources - a stupid decision can linger. This makes it more important than ever to examine consequences of on-line bullying.
After all, every student adds a unique contribution to the world.
As a parent, my responsibility is to help my child navigate on-line situations. Conversations are important. As much as kids may complain about talking about their day, keep having conversations. Listen. Then when something comes up, they have a place to go. Share books with them that deal with problems, read with them, discuss what you think the protagonist should have done in that situation. Love them. Remind them of this often. Share perspective - will this be important in 5 years? 10 years? Does this person mean something to you? From that point you can help your child see possible solutions/perspectives.
After all, your child is important to the world.
As a human it is my responsibility to remind myself that I cannot control the actions of others, I can only control my reactions to things. Therefore, I will choose to not post in anger, choose to post in a positive tone (as much as possible), choose to be respectful, and choose to be a source of joy. When make mistakes (and I will), I choose to apologize, choose to make amends, and choose to learn from those mistakes. The hardest part for me is this last one -- I choose to not give power to others through comments that are designed to hurt, belittle, or steal happiness.
Because I matter to the world as well.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
The power of a single word.
My students would probably roll their eyes at my opening.
Words are power.
I say it all the time. They have the power to heal, to love, to share, to encourage, to inspire, to contemplate. They also have the power to hurt, to cause destruction, to build walls, and to isolate.
Words are one of the most powerful tools - and weapons - that every human being has access to in life.
I love to savor words, the images they create, try them out in new ways, to play with them like the toys I had as a child - carefully. Intentionally. After all there are ones that cause lasting scars.
Therefore, my words are rarely chosen in haste. Last year I chose to focus on the word perspective. It changed a lot of things for me. Instead of giving in to the moment, I chose to look at things from a different angle, step back, allowing me the opportunity to find grace as well as celebrate joys. It allowed me to see an angry child from the perspective of having an uncertain home situation - perhaps a shift in family, a potential move, a job loss - and gave me the opportunity to change lives instead of insist on my way. Perspective provided many lessons along the way - it humbled me completely and allowed me to grow.
After all, we can choose to grow when we're humbled, or we can choose to stew. Personally, I don't think stewing gets you far in life -- instead it causes you to become overcooked and burn. (I know, it's a bad analogy . . . but it's the connotation in my mind.) This is another lesson perspective showed me. It's often a choice to grow.
I remember asking students, "I know you're devastated about ______ today (grade, friendship, etc.), but will it be important to you in ten years? twenty?" Often that helped them see it from a different angle; it diffused the situation. It provided calm. It soothed. It worked for me as well -- allowing me to focus on the areas of my life that were truly important.
Alas, it's 2015, and it's time for a new word -- one that may not seem as comfortable at first, one that will teach me. I've read so many blogs with great words -- intentional, inspirational, engage, listen, grow, etc. I've been toying with all of them in my mind. Each one has a unique and powerful statement. I will use them all. I look forward to seeing how each writer will change as a result of his/her word. How the power of those words will work both beauty and opportunity into the lives of the author and those he/she touches.
I wanted to be ALL the words - which sort of defeats the purpose of the activity. Therefore I kept searching in my heart. I prayed that the right word for me would pour from my fingertips.
It did.
This year my word will be spark.
I love it . . . spark.
You see, I have goals to spark within myself as well as to spark others to achieve new goals. I want this year to be less about me and more about how I can bring light to others. How the darkness can be extinguished through the power of positive words.
Like a candle, ignited by a single spark, can be shared to bring light to an entire room.
There are so many ideas behind the word - to encourage, to ignite, to inspire. I cannot wait to see what paths it will lead me down.
Because I'm confident there will be paths that I haven't traveled - bumpy, beautiful, scary, calming.
I'm confident that spark has many lessons to teach me. That it will provide new opportunities for teaching, learning, and growing. Lessons that will echo in the minds of both me and my students for years to come.
Yes, words are powerful. They should be savored and explored.
Happy 2015.
Words are power.
I say it all the time. They have the power to heal, to love, to share, to encourage, to inspire, to contemplate. They also have the power to hurt, to cause destruction, to build walls, and to isolate.
Words are one of the most powerful tools - and weapons - that every human being has access to in life.
I love to savor words, the images they create, try them out in new ways, to play with them like the toys I had as a child - carefully. Intentionally. After all there are ones that cause lasting scars.
Therefore, my words are rarely chosen in haste. Last year I chose to focus on the word perspective. It changed a lot of things for me. Instead of giving in to the moment, I chose to look at things from a different angle, step back, allowing me the opportunity to find grace as well as celebrate joys. It allowed me to see an angry child from the perspective of having an uncertain home situation - perhaps a shift in family, a potential move, a job loss - and gave me the opportunity to change lives instead of insist on my way. Perspective provided many lessons along the way - it humbled me completely and allowed me to grow.
After all, we can choose to grow when we're humbled, or we can choose to stew. Personally, I don't think stewing gets you far in life -- instead it causes you to become overcooked and burn. (I know, it's a bad analogy . . . but it's the connotation in my mind.) This is another lesson perspective showed me. It's often a choice to grow.
I remember asking students, "I know you're devastated about ______ today (grade, friendship, etc.), but will it be important to you in ten years? twenty?" Often that helped them see it from a different angle; it diffused the situation. It provided calm. It soothed. It worked for me as well -- allowing me to focus on the areas of my life that were truly important.
Alas, it's 2015, and it's time for a new word -- one that may not seem as comfortable at first, one that will teach me. I've read so many blogs with great words -- intentional, inspirational, engage, listen, grow, etc. I've been toying with all of them in my mind. Each one has a unique and powerful statement. I will use them all. I look forward to seeing how each writer will change as a result of his/her word. How the power of those words will work both beauty and opportunity into the lives of the author and those he/she touches.
I wanted to be ALL the words - which sort of defeats the purpose of the activity. Therefore I kept searching in my heart. I prayed that the right word for me would pour from my fingertips.
It did.
This year my word will be spark.
I love it . . . spark.
You see, I have goals to spark within myself as well as to spark others to achieve new goals. I want this year to be less about me and more about how I can bring light to others. How the darkness can be extinguished through the power of positive words.
Like a candle, ignited by a single spark, can be shared to bring light to an entire room.
There are so many ideas behind the word - to encourage, to ignite, to inspire. I cannot wait to see what paths it will lead me down.
Because I'm confident there will be paths that I haven't traveled - bumpy, beautiful, scary, calming.
I'm confident that spark has many lessons to teach me. That it will provide new opportunities for teaching, learning, and growing. Lessons that will echo in the minds of both me and my students for years to come.
Yes, words are powerful. They should be savored and explored.
Happy 2015.
Thursday, January 1, 2015
Light
I'll be honest, I've had a hard time writing the last few weeks. I'm not sure I can really put my finger on why, other than I was struggling with being positive. I'd write words, erase, try again, erase, and walk away - not sure my ranting was productive in any way.
My family is doing well. We are full of love.
I believe I'm doing the work God intended for me. I love my students.
I have many friends who make me smile, laugh, wonder.
So why was I having this difficulty? This darkness that was making me bitter. I was accepting words designed to hurt. I was comparing and finding myself lacking. I was always thinking of the things I needed to do instead of focusing on what I was accomplishing.
All of those things make it hard to breathe sometimes.
Then today's spiritual journey topic crossed my Twitter feed. (Thank you Holly for providing such an awesome support system #spiritualjourney has really helped me keep my focus on what IS important.) Light.
Light - my first though was how do I think about light when I feel dark inside? What can I offer about light?
Then I thought about Christmas Eve -- one of my favorite moments is when the congregation takes a single light and passes it to others and brightens the entire room. The power of one single light to make a difference in the dark.
And I was humbled. Again. Deeply.
You see, that light lives in my heart. It's bright enough to banish the darkness -- overcome my feelings of inadequacy, the words and actions of others, my work compared to God's work. Once again, it was a subtle nudge from God to stop listening to the world and instead listen to Him.
I will never be perfect.
However, with my light, I will always be enough.
Happy New Year!
My family is doing well. We are full of love.
I believe I'm doing the work God intended for me. I love my students.
I have many friends who make me smile, laugh, wonder.
So why was I having this difficulty? This darkness that was making me bitter. I was accepting words designed to hurt. I was comparing and finding myself lacking. I was always thinking of the things I needed to do instead of focusing on what I was accomplishing.
All of those things make it hard to breathe sometimes.
Then today's spiritual journey topic crossed my Twitter feed. (Thank you Holly for providing such an awesome support system #spiritualjourney has really helped me keep my focus on what IS important.) Light.
Light - my first though was how do I think about light when I feel dark inside? What can I offer about light?
Then I thought about Christmas Eve -- one of my favorite moments is when the congregation takes a single light and passes it to others and brightens the entire room. The power of one single light to make a difference in the dark.
And I was humbled. Again. Deeply.
You see, that light lives in my heart. It's bright enough to banish the darkness -- overcome my feelings of inadequacy, the words and actions of others, my work compared to God's work. Once again, it was a subtle nudge from God to stop listening to the world and instead listen to Him.
I will never be perfect.
However, with my light, I will always be enough.
Happy New Year!
Thursday, December 4, 2014
A season of hope
I sit here on a quiet Sunday evening. Christmas music quietly dancing down the hallway, and I think. The quiet soothes my soul.
Here on the first week of Advent, God has given us HOPE to reflect on during the darkest season of the year. I don't think it's by accident. I think it's by design -- a week to reflect on the hope that He provides in my life.
It amazes me. The perfect plan.
I enjoy daily moments with God - devotionals trying to prepare my heart and soul for the gift He is about to bestow upon the world. The magnitude of this gift is beyond my comprehension, yet He loves me enough to remind me again. Being human, I need reminding.
To remind me that despite my failings, He loves me.
To remind me that I can't change the fact that He loves me.
To remind me that the most important gifts come through Him.
It's pretty awesome if you ask me. I love how He reaches in to my heart and strips it down to the very basics. It's effective. He is a God of love, grace, and generosity. He forgives. He never promised easy, but He did promise company. He walks with me when times are rough.
This is the time of year when I read again the story Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. This simple piece of historical fiction helped me put advent in perspective. It helps me to walk in the shoes of a 14-year-old girl who the world struggles to believe.
It whispers to my soul - the doubts she faced, the doubts of others, the choice of faith. It opens my eyes to new possibilities. It educates me on the culture of the time in which Jesus was conceived. It allows me to read the scripture with greater awareness and insight. Through her words I can experience the hope that Mary felt when few in the world understood.
How often do we feel that no one understand? That our situation is hopeless? That the world is against us? A little perspective allows us to see that with God nothing is hopeless. The very existence of His son is hope. He does amazing things. Let Him.
It's the season of Advent. The season of hope. It's knowing you're not alone. You are loved.
Here on the first week of Advent, God has given us HOPE to reflect on during the darkest season of the year. I don't think it's by accident. I think it's by design -- a week to reflect on the hope that He provides in my life.
It amazes me. The perfect plan.
I enjoy daily moments with God - devotionals trying to prepare my heart and soul for the gift He is about to bestow upon the world. The magnitude of this gift is beyond my comprehension, yet He loves me enough to remind me again. Being human, I need reminding.
To remind me that despite my failings, He loves me.
To remind me that I can't change the fact that He loves me.
To remind me that the most important gifts come through Him.
It's pretty awesome if you ask me. I love how He reaches in to my heart and strips it down to the very basics. It's effective. He is a God of love, grace, and generosity. He forgives. He never promised easy, but He did promise company. He walks with me when times are rough.
This is the time of year when I read again the story Two from Galilee by Marjorie Holmes. This simple piece of historical fiction helped me put advent in perspective. It helps me to walk in the shoes of a 14-year-old girl who the world struggles to believe.
It whispers to my soul - the doubts she faced, the doubts of others, the choice of faith. It opens my eyes to new possibilities. It educates me on the culture of the time in which Jesus was conceived. It allows me to read the scripture with greater awareness and insight. Through her words I can experience the hope that Mary felt when few in the world understood.
How often do we feel that no one understand? That our situation is hopeless? That the world is against us? A little perspective allows us to see that with God nothing is hopeless. The very existence of His son is hope. He does amazing things. Let Him.
It's the season of Advent. The season of hope. It's knowing you're not alone. You are loved.
Monday, November 24, 2014
Gratitude
I remember a Facebook program a few years ago that ranked the top ten words you used in your posts. Once it caught on, I remember scanning list after list and thinking about how the words matched with the friends I knew in life and their words on-line.
I don't remember my list. I just remember looking at it and wondering if that was REALLY how I wanted the world to see me. Are those the words that I wanted people to remember about me? They weren't bad -- I'd remember that -- they just weren't intentional.
It was a gentle reminder to be intentional in how you treat others.
November is a month in which we hear the word gratitude a lot. It's important to shift the focus from ourselves - our dreams, wants, and desires, and to focus on what is real and what is a gift in our life. For the last few years I posted daily what I was thankful for. It allowed me to think about the small details -- from my garbage disposal to my family to my personal walk with God. It gave me a new perspective on what I wanted.
I didn't write it publically this year. Naysayers got to me - I admit it. There were eye-rolling at the thankful posts, comments about how no one wants to hear what you're grateful for, the jokes poking fun. I'm not sure why I let it affect me so -- but my list became personal and private this year.
Because at the end of the day, I do want to keep my attitude on others and show them that I'm grateful that they walk with me - even when our walks may be at a difference cadence.
I think that has been my struggle this fall. The volume of others has affected my voice. I'm working on that.
Therefore --
1. I'm grateful for God. For His son who loves me despite the fact that I make mistakes. For the amazing miracles He performs. For the times when He says yes and times when He says no. I'm grateful that he gives me the opportunity to walk with others, shine at times, and allow others to shine. He humbles me.
2. I'm grateful for my family. I love my husband and the four children we created. It's not always easy; it's not always fun; however, it is a choice. It is a choice to love each other despite our flaws and celebrate the fact that we were given this opportunity called life. I would do anything for any of them. They amaze me and bless me daily. I'm grateful for their activities and lives.
3. I'm grateful for my parents. They sacrificed so much for me to help me to become the person I am today. I can still hear my father showing me that how you treat others is important. It's important to take the emotion out of situations and deal with them calmly. After all, people are important. My mom taught me compassion, determination, and patience. Her gift was to help me see things through other's eyes.
4. I'm grateful for my in-laws. They raised my husband to be the man he is today. Without them, my family wouldn't exist. They give to my family over and over. I appreciate this beyond words.
5. I'm grateful for my brother and his family. My brother and sister-in-law and my two nephews who I don't get to see often enough. My brother is so important to me - and I couldn't be prouder of the family he has created as well.
6. I'm grateful for my sister who lives in Vietnam with her husband and four beautiful children. I pray for them daily, and I'm so excited to see them through social media. This is a gift that has forged relationships and connections that give us glimpses through each others' eyes. I love her story. It's a beautiful one.
7. I'm grateful for my biological father and his wife. Our story has not always been an easy one, but it's a part of us. I'm grateful for the lessons learned.
8. I'm grateful for my friends -- for those who have walked with me for decades and those who were a season in my life. May God hold you all in His hands. I do believe our paths crossed for a reason, and I will love you all forever.
9. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. I love teaching. It is my passion. It is also hard work, frustration, and overwhelming at times. Perspective becomes important. I learn from my students every single day. Fortunately, they learn from me as well. I love every single one of them. I care about them forever . . .
10. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing people. They encourage, inspire, and challenge me to be more.
Finally, I'm grateful for the gift of possibilities . . . for my PLN who has opened my eyes, reaffirmed, and encouraged me in so many ways. I've missed you this fall.
That silly program so many years ago, helped me to see what words I want to focus on in my life. Gratitude is at the top of my list, for it reminds me to look beyond myself and focus on serving others. My list forced me to be intentional in how I want others to see me and affected my actions as such.
I would close with my class, "What do you want your words to be?"
I don't remember my list. I just remember looking at it and wondering if that was REALLY how I wanted the world to see me. Are those the words that I wanted people to remember about me? They weren't bad -- I'd remember that -- they just weren't intentional.
It was a gentle reminder to be intentional in how you treat others.
November is a month in which we hear the word gratitude a lot. It's important to shift the focus from ourselves - our dreams, wants, and desires, and to focus on what is real and what is a gift in our life. For the last few years I posted daily what I was thankful for. It allowed me to think about the small details -- from my garbage disposal to my family to my personal walk with God. It gave me a new perspective on what I wanted.
I didn't write it publically this year. Naysayers got to me - I admit it. There were eye-rolling at the thankful posts, comments about how no one wants to hear what you're grateful for, the jokes poking fun. I'm not sure why I let it affect me so -- but my list became personal and private this year.
Because at the end of the day, I do want to keep my attitude on others and show them that I'm grateful that they walk with me - even when our walks may be at a difference cadence.
I think that has been my struggle this fall. The volume of others has affected my voice. I'm working on that.
Therefore --
1. I'm grateful for God. For His son who loves me despite the fact that I make mistakes. For the amazing miracles He performs. For the times when He says yes and times when He says no. I'm grateful that he gives me the opportunity to walk with others, shine at times, and allow others to shine. He humbles me.
2. I'm grateful for my family. I love my husband and the four children we created. It's not always easy; it's not always fun; however, it is a choice. It is a choice to love each other despite our flaws and celebrate the fact that we were given this opportunity called life. I would do anything for any of them. They amaze me and bless me daily. I'm grateful for their activities and lives.
3. I'm grateful for my parents. They sacrificed so much for me to help me to become the person I am today. I can still hear my father showing me that how you treat others is important. It's important to take the emotion out of situations and deal with them calmly. After all, people are important. My mom taught me compassion, determination, and patience. Her gift was to help me see things through other's eyes.
4. I'm grateful for my in-laws. They raised my husband to be the man he is today. Without them, my family wouldn't exist. They give to my family over and over. I appreciate this beyond words.
5. I'm grateful for my brother and his family. My brother and sister-in-law and my two nephews who I don't get to see often enough. My brother is so important to me - and I couldn't be prouder of the family he has created as well.
6. I'm grateful for my sister who lives in Vietnam with her husband and four beautiful children. I pray for them daily, and I'm so excited to see them through social media. This is a gift that has forged relationships and connections that give us glimpses through each others' eyes. I love her story. It's a beautiful one.
7. I'm grateful for my biological father and his wife. Our story has not always been an easy one, but it's a part of us. I'm grateful for the lessons learned.
8. I'm grateful for my friends -- for those who have walked with me for decades and those who were a season in my life. May God hold you all in His hands. I do believe our paths crossed for a reason, and I will love you all forever.
9. I'm grateful for the opportunity to do what I love. I love teaching. It is my passion. It is also hard work, frustration, and overwhelming at times. Perspective becomes important. I learn from my students every single day. Fortunately, they learn from me as well. I love every single one of them. I care about them forever . . .
10. I'm grateful for the opportunity to work with amazing people. They encourage, inspire, and challenge me to be more.
Finally, I'm grateful for the gift of possibilities . . . for my PLN who has opened my eyes, reaffirmed, and encouraged me in so many ways. I've missed you this fall.
That silly program so many years ago, helped me to see what words I want to focus on in my life. Gratitude is at the top of my list, for it reminds me to look beyond myself and focus on serving others. My list forced me to be intentional in how I want others to see me and affected my actions as such.
I would close with my class, "What do you want your words to be?"
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