I am a first grade teacher. Many of you may know this because you know me personally. Some may know this because of my often hilarious (at least to me) random moments/comments/stories shared from just another day in the classroom. Others may know it because you've seen me in line at Target after 5:30pm on a weekday with marker on my hands or holding a classroom supply of animal crackers. And many may know it because, well, I just told you. So now that THAT's settled .......
I am just like any teacher. Well, I'd like to think I bring at least SOMETHING different to the table. But just like any educator out there, I have classroom rules. You know, so the kids know what's up. So they 1) listen, 2) raise their hand, 3) be kind, 4) take care of our things, and 5) always try our best. Yep, those pretty much cover it all and, I've found, can relate back to any infraction that a kid can possibly break. For example: "Tommy didn't flush the toilet!" "Well, he wasn't being kind to the next person to park their buns on the seat now was he??" or "He said my Mom is ugly!" "Well that's silly, and definitely not exhibiting kindness is it? He doesn't even KNOW your Mom, does he?! Because if he did know your Mom, he'd have said she was actually ..... did he say he was sorry??" But when you think about it, rule #5 is the catch-all for rules #1-4 anyways. Because if you're trying your best at all times, then you are listening, and raising your hand and being kind and taking care of our things and not calling Tiffany's Mom an old hag.
Which brings me back to me -- when do I always try my best? I'm so quick to point out to my students when they are, when they aren't, and when they really should be. When do I point out my own missed opportunities to be better than I am during any given moment?
Always try your best seems kind of like it would be a great life rule for everyone - no matter the age, no matter the race, and most definitely no matter the moment that you're currently facing. There have been many times when I've heard my students say, in the face of defeat from a very tough spelling test mind you, "well, I tried my best!" and walk away feeling as confident, as only they know how, that they did, in fact, do their best in that moment. So why can't we adults do the same? We uphold expectations for so many others in our lives, encourage them to never give up, pursue their dreams, fight the good fight etc etc etc. Then when it comes to ourselves ..... we quit. No more gas in the tank. No more fight in the rink. And then, when we actually do put up a fight, it's never good enough. You know what we are? Hypocrites.
Maybe we need to start looking through the eyes of a child. Maybe it IS just about trying your best and smiling at the end of the day because you did. Now don't excuse this train of thought as settling for LESS than your best. I do believe there is a difference between the two. Everyone has their own level of "best" and it's their responsibility to reveal it to themselves. But at some point, you have to stop and smell the Crayolas. You're worthy of trying your best, too. And when you do, smile that you did and begin planning for your next moment to be better than the one you're standing in now.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
It's OK
*Author's note (how fun was that to just call myself an author!)*
It's been a while since I've written/blogged. One of my personal commitments to myself in 2013 is to write more and more and more - because I love it and it's both therapeutic and reflective. In the coming days/weeks I'm going to be working on updating the look and feel of my blog - so please, stay tuned! :)
I remember the holidays of 2010. I was in a very similar predicament as many - overweight (and then some), feeling absolutely exhausted with feeling absolutely exhausted (yes, that's possible), and dreaming of change. I remember making the decision to commit to changing my life by focusing on my health. I also remember how intimidating that was.
I love seeing all of the optimism and hope among so many as we have begun a new year with a world of new possibilities and opportunities. But my mind also has flashbacks of Jan. 2011 when I was just beginning my own journey. It was both exciting and absolutely frightening. As I read of many who are "starting now", I think of how much they're going to go through mentally as they begin. I think of those things because they're all the things I went through and, believe it or not, still do from time to time. We're all human. It's OK to accept this.
This morning, Jan. 1st, 2013, as I was working on my 5K at the gym, I thought of all the things I'd say to those whom are starting their journey anew this 2013. Here is my letter of hope to them...
Dear Friend,
I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You might look at others and think they've more of a reason to be proud because they're skinny, or toned, or know what to eat and when to eat it and don't go on a food sabotage when life gets tough. But, I'm proud of YOU. Because you've decided to change your life today .... and tomorrow, and next week, and prayerfully for the rest of your life. That's the first step and, rightfully so, one of the hardest. But as gung-ho as you feel right now about a brand new year and pursuing a brand new you, let's keep it real. You're going to feel defeated very soon. I don't want you to, but you will. When you walk into the gym for the first time and feel like you've no idea where to begin while everyone else is already 15-20-30 minutes into their workouts... it's OK, they are not on your journey. When you leave and feel exhausted, yet don't "feel" like you've made a difference in your health...it's OK, you have and please, go back again tomorrow. And when you go back again tomorrow and you're on the treadmill or the elliptical or the stationary bike and you're cursing at yourself in your head because you can't believe you've allowed yourself to get to this ungodly stage of discomfort.... it's OK, just keep going. In the days and weeks ahead, you're going to feel overwhelmed and contemplate if it's even worth it.... it's OK, because you're not alone in that train of thought. Sometimes after a long day at work, you're going to try and convince yourself that you've absolutely no gas left in the tank and that you've a million other better things to do with your time once you get home.... it's OK, because you do have gas left and I promise you, you won't regret having gone. And those weeks when things just don't go right - you've either gotten sloppy with watching what you eat or the scale fails to depict the hard work you have put in... it's OK, there's always tomorrow. Never feel like you're fighting this fight alone, yet never try to compare what you're doing with the next person. Although we might all relate to the mental anguish we put ourselves through and the trials we constantly face, this journey is solely yours. And not everyone will be on board with what you're trying to do. That's inevitable. Some might act like they are, but sadly, they're just being fake. Some might take you improving your health as being cocky or pompous (which, by the way, makes absolutely NO sense to me since our health is the only thing we've got). Some might purposefully or non-purposefully try to sabotage every effort you put forth, but never feel bad to just say no and carry on. You can't please everyone, but that's OK. You shouldn't need to. Because who is this journey for? It's for YOU. Stay humble, yet hungry. You're doing the right thing even when it feels like you're not even close.
So, dear friend, this is it. It's January 1st and now is the time when you said you'd commit to change. You know it won't be easy and you know it's going to take sacrifice and balance, but you KNOW it's going to be worth it and so much more. No matter what, just remember it's OK, OK? Because it really is. An imperfect journey is a perfect journey, made specifically for YOU. Now go get 'em. :)
Sincerely,
Heather
The girl whom, after two years, is STILL telling herself .... "it's OK".
It's been a while since I've written/blogged. One of my personal commitments to myself in 2013 is to write more and more and more - because I love it and it's both therapeutic and reflective. In the coming days/weeks I'm going to be working on updating the look and feel of my blog - so please, stay tuned! :)
I remember the holidays of 2010. I was in a very similar predicament as many - overweight (and then some), feeling absolutely exhausted with feeling absolutely exhausted (yes, that's possible), and dreaming of change. I remember making the decision to commit to changing my life by focusing on my health. I also remember how intimidating that was.
I love seeing all of the optimism and hope among so many as we have begun a new year with a world of new possibilities and opportunities. But my mind also has flashbacks of Jan. 2011 when I was just beginning my own journey. It was both exciting and absolutely frightening. As I read of many who are "starting now", I think of how much they're going to go through mentally as they begin. I think of those things because they're all the things I went through and, believe it or not, still do from time to time. We're all human. It's OK to accept this.
This morning, Jan. 1st, 2013, as I was working on my 5K at the gym, I thought of all the things I'd say to those whom are starting their journey anew this 2013. Here is my letter of hope to them...
Dear Friend,
I want you to know that I'm proud of you. You might look at others and think they've more of a reason to be proud because they're skinny, or toned, or know what to eat and when to eat it and don't go on a food sabotage when life gets tough. But, I'm proud of YOU. Because you've decided to change your life today .... and tomorrow, and next week, and prayerfully for the rest of your life. That's the first step and, rightfully so, one of the hardest. But as gung-ho as you feel right now about a brand new year and pursuing a brand new you, let's keep it real. You're going to feel defeated very soon. I don't want you to, but you will. When you walk into the gym for the first time and feel like you've no idea where to begin while everyone else is already 15-20-30 minutes into their workouts... it's OK, they are not on your journey. When you leave and feel exhausted, yet don't "feel" like you've made a difference in your health...it's OK, you have and please, go back again tomorrow. And when you go back again tomorrow and you're on the treadmill or the elliptical or the stationary bike and you're cursing at yourself in your head because you can't believe you've allowed yourself to get to this ungodly stage of discomfort.... it's OK, just keep going. In the days and weeks ahead, you're going to feel overwhelmed and contemplate if it's even worth it.... it's OK, because you're not alone in that train of thought. Sometimes after a long day at work, you're going to try and convince yourself that you've absolutely no gas left in the tank and that you've a million other better things to do with your time once you get home.... it's OK, because you do have gas left and I promise you, you won't regret having gone. And those weeks when things just don't go right - you've either gotten sloppy with watching what you eat or the scale fails to depict the hard work you have put in... it's OK, there's always tomorrow. Never feel like you're fighting this fight alone, yet never try to compare what you're doing with the next person. Although we might all relate to the mental anguish we put ourselves through and the trials we constantly face, this journey is solely yours. And not everyone will be on board with what you're trying to do. That's inevitable. Some might act like they are, but sadly, they're just being fake. Some might take you improving your health as being cocky or pompous (which, by the way, makes absolutely NO sense to me since our health is the only thing we've got). Some might purposefully or non-purposefully try to sabotage every effort you put forth, but never feel bad to just say no and carry on. You can't please everyone, but that's OK. You shouldn't need to. Because who is this journey for? It's for YOU. Stay humble, yet hungry. You're doing the right thing even when it feels like you're not even close.
So, dear friend, this is it. It's January 1st and now is the time when you said you'd commit to change. You know it won't be easy and you know it's going to take sacrifice and balance, but you KNOW it's going to be worth it and so much more. No matter what, just remember it's OK, OK? Because it really is. An imperfect journey is a perfect journey, made specifically for YOU. Now go get 'em. :)
Sincerely,
Heather
The girl whom, after two years, is STILL telling herself .... "it's OK".
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