I've been slacking again and not writing. Today on the Facebook group "Live Your Legend Creators Guild", a member posted a writing prompt. The challenge was to pick out your favorite book, flip through it, stop on a random page, skim the page for a sentence that speaks to you.
So, I'm cheating a bit. A little while before I saw the post, I had sent one of my favorite Winnie the Pooh quotes to a friend who is going through a rough patch. The quote is:
“If ever there is tomorrow when we're not together... there is something you must always remember. You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. But the most important thing is, even if we're apart... I'll always be with you.”
― A.A. Milne
Amazing how a children's book has some of the best advice.
One of the hardest things is life is to remember you are all of the above. As I have read many times in various texts, the negative comments stick with you much more than positive ones do. I try to remind my friend daily of his worth. It's hard to overcome 50 years of negative comments. And what never ceases to amaze me is he is usually the first one to remind me of my value when I get down on myself.
I once asked this friend why he values me as a friend. I was so overwhelmed by his response, that I printed it and carry it with me in my wallet. Here is the first part of it. "You are an intelligent, insightful woman whom I respect and admire. You have the ability to communicate things to me that I have a difficult time understanding." Even after 2+ years, I still have a hard time seeing myself through his eyes. I seem to let the negative comments from strangers and acquaintances override his compliment.
So each day, I greet my friend (through google chat) and remind him that I care. And that simple act each day reminds me to be positive. Some days turn out better than others but each day starts fresh. And he (and a couple other close friends) are always with me even though we are apart.
Luckily for me, I wake each morning to a house with a loving husband and three children whom I love very much.
Monday, October 27, 2014
Tuesday, October 14, 2014
Rainy day subbing in the 7th and 8th grade
The Reading and Social Studies teacher asked me weeks ago to sub for her today. It is a rainy, rainy day and remarkably the students are subdued. Sometimes on a rainy day they can get a small case of cabin fever, especially when there have been other rainy days recently.
It's always interesting to see what lessons I will re-learn when teaching. This morning's 7th grade Social Studies class was a review of the three branches of the Federal Government. Eighth grade social studies was a lesson in growing urbanization in the late 19 century. Eighth grade reading class was a continuation of the reading of The Pearl. Now as we have a few minutes to prepare for the afternoon, it will be a repeat of the 8th grade classes plus an extra "free" bell for me as another staff member is coming in to teach 7th grade reading where they are reading Tom Sawyer.
One of the eighth graders asked me this morning if I read The Pearl. I'm sure I did but it has been so long ago that I remember nothing about the story. Maybe I will use my free bell to see how much of the story I can read.
It's always interesting to see what lessons I will re-learn when teaching. This morning's 7th grade Social Studies class was a review of the three branches of the Federal Government. Eighth grade social studies was a lesson in growing urbanization in the late 19 century. Eighth grade reading class was a continuation of the reading of The Pearl. Now as we have a few minutes to prepare for the afternoon, it will be a repeat of the 8th grade classes plus an extra "free" bell for me as another staff member is coming in to teach 7th grade reading where they are reading Tom Sawyer.
One of the eighth graders asked me this morning if I read The Pearl. I'm sure I did but it has been so long ago that I remember nothing about the story. Maybe I will use my free bell to see how much of the story I can read.
Monday, October 13, 2014
Home cooked meal?
Got a taste of what a Sunday dinner might look like in a few years. My niece, Victoria Hancock came for dinner with five college friends since they miss home-cooking. Not sure if grilling hamburgers and hots dogs qualifies as a home cooked meal. The "kids" (6 college, 2 high school and 3 sixth graders) took over the big dining room table with grandma while grandpa and the rest of the adults ate in the breakfast room. I managed to find a seat in the dining room after dinner for some fun conversation. My frig and freezer (2 loaves of zucchini bread went back to MSJ) are a bit emptier and they are welcome to come by again. Just have to remember to tell them to bring their own sodas.
Monday, October 6, 2014
Sacrifice or good deed?
Last week, my sons came home from school with a week long religion assignment. They were beginning a new chapter about sacrifice. The bible story that is mentioned is Abraham's almost sacrifice of his only son Isaac. The kids were to create a chart of sacrifices they made for a week.
In theory, this sounds like a good lesson. However, as I reviewed the resulting "sacrifices" tonight, I was quite shocked. Most of what they sacrificed was video game time to do a quick chore or "gave up" computer time so the other could have time (or was it because he had a mountain of homework to do?)
Midweek, I spoke with another mom who echoed my thoughts that the kids were not really getting the true meaning of sacrifice but she wasn't going to complain since she was getting free household help.
I would have much preferred if the focus had been on the more positive side. Instead of giving up something, I would have liked to have seen them encouraged to do a good deed each day. I want them to learn to do something helpful for someone else because they want the world to be a caring, loving place not because they can chalk up another "sacrifice" credit.
In theory, this sounds like a good lesson. However, as I reviewed the resulting "sacrifices" tonight, I was quite shocked. Most of what they sacrificed was video game time to do a quick chore or "gave up" computer time so the other could have time (or was it because he had a mountain of homework to do?)
Midweek, I spoke with another mom who echoed my thoughts that the kids were not really getting the true meaning of sacrifice but she wasn't going to complain since she was getting free household help.
I would have much preferred if the focus had been on the more positive side. Instead of giving up something, I would have liked to have seen them encouraged to do a good deed each day. I want them to learn to do something helpful for someone else because they want the world to be a caring, loving place not because they can chalk up another "sacrifice" credit.
Monday, September 29, 2014
Procrastinating again...
I fell back into my procrastinating ways...
I've missed three days of writing prompts. So now I must choose one to do today. My four choices:
I've missed three days of writing prompts. So now I must choose one to do today. My four choices:
- What do people thank you for?
- What's one thing you are proud of?
- What's your elevator pitch?
- What difference do you want to make?
My quick responses to each of these questions is
- People thank me for helping them. I am one of those who makes sure that events are cleaned up. I will come early to help setup.
- One thing I am proud of is helping my daughter's girl scout troop complete their Marian Awards (a 16 month scouting religious award journey)
- I don't have an elevator pitch. My shyness usually keeps me from speaking to anyone I don't know.
- The difference I want to make is to live the best life that I can and show my children by my example that treating others as you want to be treated makes life better for everyone.
If I really want to challenge my writing, I need to work on my elevator pitch... I'll have to sleep on that one and see what comes to me.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
What really makes me angry about the world
Today's topic is a writing prompt suggested by Scott Dinsmore of liveyourlegend. I have been reading his emails for a few months and trying to decide if I am going to jump in with both feet. So far, I haven't made the commitment. Some days I like what he says, other days, not so much. His current challenge is a 7 day blog challenge which matched up with my need to express my opinion to the universe yet aimed at no one in particular.
So what really makes me angry about the world? I suspect a lot of people would say the current wars and civil unrest. While these things don't make me happy, they are not the things that make me really angry. What makes me really angry is the attitude I see all around me.
It feels as though the prevalent attitude is "what is in this for me?"
Put out a notice for volunteers for weeks before an event. Very few responses. People show up at the event and when they see you running around working hard, they comment "I would have helped if you had asked me". Huh? What do you think those four notices in email begging for volunteers was?
...
It seems like I have more to say on this topic but my thoughts are all jumbled and it is going to have to wait until some other day.
So what really makes me angry about the world? I suspect a lot of people would say the current wars and civil unrest. While these things don't make me happy, they are not the things that make me really angry. What makes me really angry is the attitude I see all around me.
It feels as though the prevalent attitude is "what is in this for me?"
Put out a notice for volunteers for weeks before an event. Very few responses. People show up at the event and when they see you running around working hard, they comment "I would have helped if you had asked me". Huh? What do you think those four notices in email begging for volunteers was?
...
It seems like I have more to say on this topic but my thoughts are all jumbled and it is going to have to wait until some other day.
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Careful what you ask for...
I couldn't think of a topic today so I asked a friend for a topic. Be careful what you ask. The topic suggested was cramps. Now what the heck am I supposed to do with that? I thought about wimping out and writing about something else but I asked so the least I can do is follow through.
It's like being back in school again. Quick! Write an essay on
Oh, back to the topic of cramps. If this were the old days (or if I were still in grade school), my hand would be cramping up about now. I never learned to hold my pen/pencil lightly. I always have a death grip on it so my hand cramps pretty quickly. Add my carpel tunnel to it and writing longhand can be a painful process for me. Makes me wonder why I keep a handwritten journal still. I usually have to stop at least once on every page to let the tingling subside.
What is the point of cramps? To make you slow down? I understand when I am writing with a death grip on the pen that my hand would cramp and force me to stop. Or cramps in your legs when you run too far or too fast. But the worst? Charlie horse leg cramps that wake you in the middle of the night! What purpose does a sharp pain waking you from a deep sleep serve? Nothing like waking up trying not to scream and wake up your spouse and trying to get out of bed and not stub your toe so you can walk off the pain.
I got nothing. If this was a school assignment, I would probably get a C. I wrote something but I didn't really cover the topic. Oh well, tomorrow is another day... and I see some beautiful cloud formations reflecting the setting sun outside.
It's like being back in school again. Quick! Write an essay on
Oh, back to the topic of cramps. If this were the old days (or if I were still in grade school), my hand would be cramping up about now. I never learned to hold my pen/pencil lightly. I always have a death grip on it so my hand cramps pretty quickly. Add my carpel tunnel to it and writing longhand can be a painful process for me. Makes me wonder why I keep a handwritten journal still. I usually have to stop at least once on every page to let the tingling subside.
What is the point of cramps? To make you slow down? I understand when I am writing with a death grip on the pen that my hand would cramp and force me to stop. Or cramps in your legs when you run too far or too fast. But the worst? Charlie horse leg cramps that wake you in the middle of the night! What purpose does a sharp pain waking you from a deep sleep serve? Nothing like waking up trying not to scream and wake up your spouse and trying to get out of bed and not stub your toe so you can walk off the pain.
I got nothing. If this was a school assignment, I would probably get a C. I wrote something but I didn't really cover the topic. Oh well, tomorrow is another day... and I see some beautiful cloud formations reflecting the setting sun outside.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Everybody Counts
Last week at my sons' school's Parent Teacher Council meeting, the topic of Everybody Counts was raised again. Everybody Counts is a program that allows the students to learn about conditions that make life different for people. For example, what is it like to be blind or deaf or dyslexic or missing an appendage.
Everyone agreed that the idea of the program is a good one and one that we should bring back to the school. It has been at least 6 years since the program, run by parent volunteers, has been offered at the school. It is usually a one day event and each grade learns about a different condition.
One of the mentioned goals was for the children to understand that not everyone is exactly the same and that no matter what the differences we need to treat each other kindly.
The topic of timing was discussed. Someone else had mentioned Catholic Schools Week but the teachers pointed out that week is already crazy busy. I mentioned that the end of the school year seemed like a good time since the teachers are winding down on graded assignments and it would fit in with Goodwill Games and the Relay for Life walk (cancer related). A fellow parent said that seemed too late in the school year if we are trying to teach the children tolerance for differences. That parent's feeling was that the kids would quickly forget the lessons taught over the summer break.
That night it occurred to me that perhaps we missed the boat on explaining what Everybody Counts is supposed to be about. Everybody Counts is meant to teach the students about the conditions and what it might be like to have the condition. For example, to be blindfolded and led down a hallway by someone else trusting that they will not let you run into anything. Or feeling braille. Or being able to see someone talking but not able to hear their words. Or tying your shoes without using your thumbs.
The job of teaching them tolerance began years before they ever crossed the classroom doorway. That responsibility began with us as parents from the first day of their precious lives. The idea of tolerance can be reinforced by the teachers at school but the primary responsibility still lies with the parents.
When did we as parents turn over the responsibility of teaching our children values to school teachers?
I am grateful for teachers who reinforce the great truth "Treat other as you would want to be treated". But if I did not teach them this before school and do not continue to reinforce while they are not at school, I cannot expect them to learn it in the short time they are in school while expecting them to learn all the academic things they need to learn.
Everyone agreed that the idea of the program is a good one and one that we should bring back to the school. It has been at least 6 years since the program, run by parent volunteers, has been offered at the school. It is usually a one day event and each grade learns about a different condition.
One of the mentioned goals was for the children to understand that not everyone is exactly the same and that no matter what the differences we need to treat each other kindly.
The topic of timing was discussed. Someone else had mentioned Catholic Schools Week but the teachers pointed out that week is already crazy busy. I mentioned that the end of the school year seemed like a good time since the teachers are winding down on graded assignments and it would fit in with Goodwill Games and the Relay for Life walk (cancer related). A fellow parent said that seemed too late in the school year if we are trying to teach the children tolerance for differences. That parent's feeling was that the kids would quickly forget the lessons taught over the summer break.
That night it occurred to me that perhaps we missed the boat on explaining what Everybody Counts is supposed to be about. Everybody Counts is meant to teach the students about the conditions and what it might be like to have the condition. For example, to be blindfolded and led down a hallway by someone else trusting that they will not let you run into anything. Or feeling braille. Or being able to see someone talking but not able to hear their words. Or tying your shoes without using your thumbs.
The job of teaching them tolerance began years before they ever crossed the classroom doorway. That responsibility began with us as parents from the first day of their precious lives. The idea of tolerance can be reinforced by the teachers at school but the primary responsibility still lies with the parents.
When did we as parents turn over the responsibility of teaching our children values to school teachers?
I am grateful for teachers who reinforce the great truth "Treat other as you would want to be treated". But if I did not teach them this before school and do not continue to reinforce while they are not at school, I cannot expect them to learn it in the short time they are in school while expecting them to learn all the academic things they need to learn.
My, how time flies
Hard to believe that I actually started this blog 6 and 1/2 years ago. If you look at it, you will realize I have been quite the slacker when it comes to writing. The same is not quite so true of my handwritten journal. I tend to run in spurts there. I get on a roll and write on a regular basis and then slack off and don't write for days or weeks. Unfortunately when I slack off is usually when I should be journaling the most.
One of the reasons I am going to try to pick this up again is I find myself having trouble falling asleep at night thinking about things that are happening in the community around me. My mind goes over and over my thoughts and opinions. I have decided I need a place to express those opinions and if no one ever reads them, so be it.
So let the fun begin...
One of the reasons I am going to try to pick this up again is I find myself having trouble falling asleep at night thinking about things that are happening in the community around me. My mind goes over and over my thoughts and opinions. I have decided I need a place to express those opinions and if no one ever reads them, so be it.
So let the fun begin...
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