Ever have those days where its so busy, you're so mentally drained because of too much going on, and you're in bed by 8pm? We're all entitled to one of those days where we crawl right into our comfy bed amidst our stuffed animals. (or kids toys) :) Yesterday, was one of those days for me.
For the past month, I've been learning to listen to my body. This is very challenging for me, because, as mentioned in a previous post, on most days, I am like the Energizer Bunny on repeat. Part of that is my job as a teacher and part of it is my work ethic and the way I was raised. I was raised to put in 100% into all that I do. I admit, I do take on a lot all at once, but I've become a bit better at recognizing that, taking a step back, and thinking about diving in before just jumping in the pool. One of the things that is hard for me to do is to be "okay" with saying "no" to opportunities sometimes. (It was Jesus who said "let your yes's be yes's and your no's be no's.)
When I take on too much, my body gets run down (as anyone who does). For example, in the summer, I usually work out like 5-6 days a week (and sometimes take double classes during the day) and I can build up that endurance. I've observed early on this year that, because of my work schedule and after school commitments, I can't do that, so my endurance is built up in other ways. So, I choose a couple of days that I know I can work out without question, and 1 or 2 days during the week that I know I can be "flexible" with in terms of my exercise classes. (On a somewhat related side note: I absolutely LOVE Zumba - and Strong by Zumba - SBZ and those two have brought me such joy!) The other days, I rest, or volunteer with CCD at my church, sing in the choir, or attend once a month PD's to be up-to-date with current research on teaching. Listening to my body is a huge step for me and I've been able to reap its benefits of enjoying my time participating in things, while being able to introduce new hobbies and/or practice them more often.
One of those hobbies that I have picked up and enjoy tremendously, is painting. I often go to the Muse Paintbar paint. The art instructors there have an incredible background in art. Many of them are artists in different mediums themselves. I always learn something new every time I watch and observe a different instructor. I also paint at home, have my own easel and acrylic paints. To me, there is something so profound about creating with your hands. For example, I'll see or picture something in my head that I want to paint, and take a mental "picture" of it (something that I tell my ELL students to do a lot when we are learning about a new topic) and try to paint it. My grandfather used to paint (among a dose of other careers/accomplishments) and loved the ocean (was in the Navy and Merchant Marines), so perhaps this is where I feel the most connected to him, like his spirit is still inside me and he still lives on when I engage in these tasks, such as painting or taking a walk down by the water in Narragansett.
As I get older, I realize that I need to do at least one thing for myself everyday. For me, that could be painting or working out, painting (again!) my nails or even reading. It could be making breakfast (pancakes!) for dinner or baking. It could be getting myself a coffee or just sitting in a coffee shop relaxing. I feel that in society, there is so much talk and focus on maintaining one's peak physical and mental health, that we forget about the wellness of our whole body. Even going so far as to say that the world we live in for the 21st century is one that is fast-paced and always "moving." Our culture demands that we are always attentive, ready to go, and "on-our-game." Yet, we forget in the midst of all of this that we can't help others well unless we take care of ourselves. And with that, comes the very important (yet overlooked) task of listening to our bodies.
Honestly, some of the best advice that I receive when I need to "pause" comes from 3 places: my parents, my hairdresser, and my neighbors. In order to make our world a better place (without sounding so cliché), we need to get to know our neighbors, however that may look for you. The place where I grew up wasn't a place where neighbors visited or talked to each other. Now, in the town where I live, I frequently visit and/or talk to my neighbors. Thankfully, we all help each other out in ways such as shoveling snow, bringing soup to an ill neighbor, leaving notes in mailboxes and checking on each other. One other place that wisdom has come from is with my very close co-workers. I'm thankful to be at a point in my life where co-workers have become lifelong friends. We all need support in our lives and I'm truly blessed that I've taken the time to get to know my neighbors, for they (parents, next door neighbors and hairdresser, to name a few) are the ones who are full of life-giving wisdom.
So, as you can see, this post shows that "it's not all about the men!" Haha. But, I bet that you're wondering, "all right, gluten-free gal. You got me hooked to read your entire post, and you usually tie "relationships or romance or men" in to it, so. . . where is it?" Well today, it's hidden.
I believe that in every relationship (especially as a woman), it is extremely vital to make sure that the three things of listening to your body, getting to know your neighbors, and doing 1 thing a day for yourself, carry on regardless of the person you find yourself spending the most of your time with. Though I'm not in a relationship yet, I do have a handful of close friends who share this advice or who lacks one of these areas. And, though I have yet to experience the feelings of romance or to be romanced, I do know that I want a solid foundation of these three things so that way when a guy comes along or I come along to a guy, I have my support system of hobbies, neighbors, and all around wellness.
It's been said that "beauty is only skin deep," but to me, a person can appear physically "beautiful" but not have these three things under their belt and be hurting inside. I don't want outer beauty to ever be the main thing that students seek to strive for. Rather, I want them to realize that their beauty comes from within, from their identity, their character, the very core of their being and who they are. Those things, to me, are what truly makes a person beautiful. Yes, that is difficult to teach, but by God, I will do my best every day to show them and teach them about who they are, to be that guide that points out their beauty in their talents, in the way that they care for friends, in the way that they are persistent with challenging math problems. For that, is true beauty. And hopefully someday, that will attract the right for me and I for him.
cheers.
Wednesday, January 31, 2018
Monday, January 29, 2018
A Letter to my Husband
"Dear Future Husband,
So, I met this guy. Haha - that's what every husband wants to hear their wife say, right?"
Okay, let's hit the pause button for a second. While you're at it, hit the rewind button, too. I want to back up for a moment and share something deeply personal with you. Are you ready? It's big. Okay, here goes:
Tonight, I ate Swedish Fish and Cape Cod Potato chips for dinner. Well, maybe a pre-dinner. I haven't exactly started cooking yet because I had all of these thoughts below floating around in my head and had to get them down on paper. Guess that's what happens when you haven't written in a while, right?
I bet you thought I'd come out with a BIG secret and it was going to be about the title of this post: "letter to my future husband." We will return to that in a moment. But for now, it is important to note that I had a non-stop, jam-packed day at work, felt like the Energizer Bunny, and Swedish fish and chips seemed like the logical alternative to settle down with the day that I had. In all honesty, this gluten-free gal sometimes needs a little of this "sweet and salty" food to get her over the mountainous days of teaching on rare occasions. Today, just happened to be one of those days.
Now, back to the topic that I started with: "Dear future husband..."
Back in 2013, a friend gave me a journal for my birthday. She wrote an entire epilogue inside as to what the journal should be used for. I used to write a lot as a hobby five years ago and then life caught up with me and it just dwindled down into sporadic spurts. I used to be really good about listening to my body and telling myself and my friends when they were taking on too much and needed to rest. Now, I see that we go through different seasons of our lives and I'm at a point where I'm noticing that I need to re-learn what "rest" looks like as a very late twenty-something.
So anyway, she gave me this journal with all of these possible suggestions for how to use it but, she had 1 request: that it had to be used to help me rest and yet, even made a suggestion that I took and used: let this journal be a collection of letters that you write to your future husband. This journal has always been at the foot of my bed where I keep all of my other journals that I have written in.
When I got home from work today, I took off my blue raincoat jacket, hung it up in the closet and went to my bedroom. I saw the journals sitting at the foot of my bed and picked up that tan colored one, creatively titled: "Letters to my Future Husband." :)
As I read through the letters that I wrote on an off between 2013-2015 (in 2016 and 2017, I didn't write any letters - there are a good amount of blank pages so maybe, just maybe, I'll start writing again this year!), I noticed a few things.
My journal entries include the sense of "longing" for a future man, kind of the way that God longs for us, or a wife or a husband longs for his/her spouse when they've gone away on a trip, or when they haven't seen each other for a period of time. In addition, I also noticed that with all of the interactions between guy friends that I had for that time period in history, I learned something about myself. Those men were put into my life for a reason to help me grow in understanding of myself, of my identity (one greatly rooted in God and my own values), and helped me in healthy risk taking. I didn't realize that at the time in which I wrote those entries that those situations would show me that or would be purposefully orchestrated for me to grow in those ways, but they did! And for that learning experience and for the ability to reflect on such interactions, I am thankful.
I've also realized that I like men who truly listen. Not those that "claim" to listen and just spit back information that you have previously shared with them. But, you know the ones where experience has caused them to be very good listeners and avid observers? It's those men, that catch my eye. That quality is few and far to come by in men, if you ask me.
And, it's not just men, but people in general. It's rare to find a good listener nowadays. It's commonplace to say that someone is a "good listener" but its like a pearl in a field, as one of the biblical stories says, that is the real gem of connecting with a listener. Because I feel that to be a good listener, you must have valuable life experience to support that. You must be able to relate to the person in such a way, and even sometimes, bring yourself down to their level to form a deep and lasting connection with them. I do have to say that there have been times in my life where I have not been able to connect with a person because I chose not to, or because I honestly didn't have that life experience but had that "friendship" and somehow, God helped me to relate to them.
I hope that someday, I will be able to relate to my husband. In my notebook, "letters to my future husband," (sounds like a book title, huh?) I have a lot of hopes and dreams for the both of us. Some of them are born out of personal desires and some come from a place of being a future couple.
Anywho, enough of my confessions tonight. Instead, I will leave you with an excerpt (somehow seems childish after reading this about 5 years later because I feel that I've greatly matured since this point.) So, to continue from this first part of this blog entry in quotes, here is the rest of it for your reading pleasure, straight from the thoughts of your favorite gluten-free gal:
"...so, I met this guy. I've known him for a while now, but we really only started talking at a house party yesterday. He pursued me, which feels strangely weird and exciting. He started to talk to me out of the blue (no pun intended.). . . anyway, when he talks or listens to me, he looks at me with those big eyes that just make me melt because he's intently listening. I've never met someone like that before. He's so humorous and makes me laugh - a lot. (I hope that you're funny, too.). . . "
So, I met this guy. Haha - that's what every husband wants to hear their wife say, right?"
Okay, let's hit the pause button for a second. While you're at it, hit the rewind button, too. I want to back up for a moment and share something deeply personal with you. Are you ready? It's big. Okay, here goes:
Tonight, I ate Swedish Fish and Cape Cod Potato chips for dinner. Well, maybe a pre-dinner. I haven't exactly started cooking yet because I had all of these thoughts below floating around in my head and had to get them down on paper. Guess that's what happens when you haven't written in a while, right?
I bet you thought I'd come out with a BIG secret and it was going to be about the title of this post: "letter to my future husband." We will return to that in a moment. But for now, it is important to note that I had a non-stop, jam-packed day at work, felt like the Energizer Bunny, and Swedish fish and chips seemed like the logical alternative to settle down with the day that I had. In all honesty, this gluten-free gal sometimes needs a little of this "sweet and salty" food to get her over the mountainous days of teaching on rare occasions. Today, just happened to be one of those days.
Now, back to the topic that I started with: "Dear future husband..."
Back in 2013, a friend gave me a journal for my birthday. She wrote an entire epilogue inside as to what the journal should be used for. I used to write a lot as a hobby five years ago and then life caught up with me and it just dwindled down into sporadic spurts. I used to be really good about listening to my body and telling myself and my friends when they were taking on too much and needed to rest. Now, I see that we go through different seasons of our lives and I'm at a point where I'm noticing that I need to re-learn what "rest" looks like as a very late twenty-something.
So anyway, she gave me this journal with all of these possible suggestions for how to use it but, she had 1 request: that it had to be used to help me rest and yet, even made a suggestion that I took and used: let this journal be a collection of letters that you write to your future husband. This journal has always been at the foot of my bed where I keep all of my other journals that I have written in.
When I got home from work today, I took off my blue raincoat jacket, hung it up in the closet and went to my bedroom. I saw the journals sitting at the foot of my bed and picked up that tan colored one, creatively titled: "Letters to my Future Husband." :)
As I read through the letters that I wrote on an off between 2013-2015 (in 2016 and 2017, I didn't write any letters - there are a good amount of blank pages so maybe, just maybe, I'll start writing again this year!), I noticed a few things.
My journal entries include the sense of "longing" for a future man, kind of the way that God longs for us, or a wife or a husband longs for his/her spouse when they've gone away on a trip, or when they haven't seen each other for a period of time. In addition, I also noticed that with all of the interactions between guy friends that I had for that time period in history, I learned something about myself. Those men were put into my life for a reason to help me grow in understanding of myself, of my identity (one greatly rooted in God and my own values), and helped me in healthy risk taking. I didn't realize that at the time in which I wrote those entries that those situations would show me that or would be purposefully orchestrated for me to grow in those ways, but they did! And for that learning experience and for the ability to reflect on such interactions, I am thankful.
I've also realized that I like men who truly listen. Not those that "claim" to listen and just spit back information that you have previously shared with them. But, you know the ones where experience has caused them to be very good listeners and avid observers? It's those men, that catch my eye. That quality is few and far to come by in men, if you ask me.
And, it's not just men, but people in general. It's rare to find a good listener nowadays. It's commonplace to say that someone is a "good listener" but its like a pearl in a field, as one of the biblical stories says, that is the real gem of connecting with a listener. Because I feel that to be a good listener, you must have valuable life experience to support that. You must be able to relate to the person in such a way, and even sometimes, bring yourself down to their level to form a deep and lasting connection with them. I do have to say that there have been times in my life where I have not been able to connect with a person because I chose not to, or because I honestly didn't have that life experience but had that "friendship" and somehow, God helped me to relate to them.
I hope that someday, I will be able to relate to my husband. In my notebook, "letters to my future husband," (sounds like a book title, huh?) I have a lot of hopes and dreams for the both of us. Some of them are born out of personal desires and some come from a place of being a future couple.
Anywho, enough of my confessions tonight. Instead, I will leave you with an excerpt (somehow seems childish after reading this about 5 years later because I feel that I've greatly matured since this point.) So, to continue from this first part of this blog entry in quotes, here is the rest of it for your reading pleasure, straight from the thoughts of your favorite gluten-free gal:
"...so, I met this guy. I've known him for a while now, but we really only started talking at a house party yesterday. He pursued me, which feels strangely weird and exciting. He started to talk to me out of the blue (no pun intended.). . . anyway, when he talks or listens to me, he looks at me with those big eyes that just make me melt because he's intently listening. I've never met someone like that before. He's so humorous and makes me laugh - a lot. (I hope that you're funny, too.). . . "
Sunday, January 28, 2018
Coupon Saver
I'm a sucker for a good deal.
Whether that deal be for food, clothing, housewares, a hobby, etc.
For example, today I went to the Muse Paintbar to paint. It's a great little place that allows me to relax and makes me feel connected to something greater. Though I do have to say, creating anything with your hands makes one feel good. I wonder if that's how God felt after he created Adam and Eve. Did he just take a step back, and relish in all that He did, and say "Wow." I'd give anything to be a fly on the wall of creation to hear, see, and experience what he felt during those first moments of creation. Anyway, I'm off on yet another tangent again. And, as a country song I listen to goes "...that's a song for another time."
So, I'm standing at my canvas, painting away all of my worries and all of life's insecurities at the Muse, thinking about this great deal. I saved up $30 and the painting cost $35. So, can you guess what I paid for it?
FIVE DOLLARS! Say what?!
Honestly, I've been on quite the "coupon kick" recently. Between the grocery store and CVS and other purchases, I've been saving all of my receipts to try and keep track of how much I'm spending (though it's not very much at all -with the exception of those never ending bills!) I take those receipts and collate them into an envelope. One of the reasons that I am trying to save money, is that I want to go back to school again. As my mom says, I'll "forever be a perpetual student."
One of the areas of my life that I am trying to save money in is through grocery shopping. Instead of grocery shopping every week, I buy a large amount of food every two weeks, freeze half of it (like meats, frozen veggies/fruits) and that has been a great way to save! If I need or want little things here and there, I'll just go in for the items on my shopping list (though that's hard to do but now, relatively easier). I've also noticed that with grocery shopping every two weeks, I throw away less food and eat more whole fruits.
Now, if there was a coupon or a formula for finding a guy. . . then, I'd be in luck. Haha - but really! I've been sitting here thinking, "wouldn't it be nice if there was a coupon for 'that guy?'" It would make the journey of finding him, or at least being aware of his presence, so much easier. I could just go into a place like CVS, pick him off the shelf and bring my coupon to the cashier to redeem the deal.
If only life were like that.
On the flipside, I guess if life were like a scan machine, then we'd lose out on the "mystery" that meeting a new person brings us. If my coupon redeemed a guy for me, then I wouldn't be able to have that initial encounter with him. I wouldn't be able to go out on a first date with him, because I would have already selected the deal. And, unlike the NFL, NCAA, or NHL (or any other sports league), I wouldn't be able to make a "trade" or choose an alternate from a draft pick.
So, in a way, I'm thankful that meeting a guy is not like cashing in a coupon. I'm fortunate that I can get to know a potential guy on my own terms, and in my own way, without the pressure of society telling me how or when I should meet a man. I know that someday, to the right guy, my accomplishments won't come across as intimidating, but rather, as an attractive challenge. Truthfully, I want a guy who will challenge me and teach me how to enjoy life, without worrying.
At work, I'm often told that I'm good at "working hard" but need to perfect the "play hard." And, that is something that I am learning how to do more and more, in my own way, and I'm enjoying this breaking out of my shell into a new creature kind of thing. And, even though well meaning people have tried their best to "set me up," albeit unsuccessfully (meaning its been just talking) - that's okay with me for right now. And though I can't really answer the question "Why haven't you met a man yet?" I can answer that I am enjoying my life as a teacher, future "back to school student," my friends, and spending time with my family. I am happy already. I don't need a guy to make me happy. When the time is right, I want a man who will support me in these things already, and add to my already established happiness. And, I hope that someday, I can do the same for him. . . wherever he is.
-cheers.
Whether that deal be for food, clothing, housewares, a hobby, etc.
For example, today I went to the Muse Paintbar to paint. It's a great little place that allows me to relax and makes me feel connected to something greater. Though I do have to say, creating anything with your hands makes one feel good. I wonder if that's how God felt after he created Adam and Eve. Did he just take a step back, and relish in all that He did, and say "Wow." I'd give anything to be a fly on the wall of creation to hear, see, and experience what he felt during those first moments of creation. Anyway, I'm off on yet another tangent again. And, as a country song I listen to goes "...that's a song for another time."
So, I'm standing at my canvas, painting away all of my worries and all of life's insecurities at the Muse, thinking about this great deal. I saved up $30 and the painting cost $35. So, can you guess what I paid for it?
FIVE DOLLARS! Say what?!
Honestly, I've been on quite the "coupon kick" recently. Between the grocery store and CVS and other purchases, I've been saving all of my receipts to try and keep track of how much I'm spending (though it's not very much at all -with the exception of those never ending bills!) I take those receipts and collate them into an envelope. One of the reasons that I am trying to save money, is that I want to go back to school again. As my mom says, I'll "forever be a perpetual student."
One of the areas of my life that I am trying to save money in is through grocery shopping. Instead of grocery shopping every week, I buy a large amount of food every two weeks, freeze half of it (like meats, frozen veggies/fruits) and that has been a great way to save! If I need or want little things here and there, I'll just go in for the items on my shopping list (though that's hard to do but now, relatively easier). I've also noticed that with grocery shopping every two weeks, I throw away less food and eat more whole fruits.
Now, if there was a coupon or a formula for finding a guy. . . then, I'd be in luck. Haha - but really! I've been sitting here thinking, "wouldn't it be nice if there was a coupon for 'that guy?'" It would make the journey of finding him, or at least being aware of his presence, so much easier. I could just go into a place like CVS, pick him off the shelf and bring my coupon to the cashier to redeem the deal.
If only life were like that.
On the flipside, I guess if life were like a scan machine, then we'd lose out on the "mystery" that meeting a new person brings us. If my coupon redeemed a guy for me, then I wouldn't be able to have that initial encounter with him. I wouldn't be able to go out on a first date with him, because I would have already selected the deal. And, unlike the NFL, NCAA, or NHL (or any other sports league), I wouldn't be able to make a "trade" or choose an alternate from a draft pick.
So, in a way, I'm thankful that meeting a guy is not like cashing in a coupon. I'm fortunate that I can get to know a potential guy on my own terms, and in my own way, without the pressure of society telling me how or when I should meet a man. I know that someday, to the right guy, my accomplishments won't come across as intimidating, but rather, as an attractive challenge. Truthfully, I want a guy who will challenge me and teach me how to enjoy life, without worrying.
At work, I'm often told that I'm good at "working hard" but need to perfect the "play hard." And, that is something that I am learning how to do more and more, in my own way, and I'm enjoying this breaking out of my shell into a new creature kind of thing. And, even though well meaning people have tried their best to "set me up," albeit unsuccessfully (meaning its been just talking) - that's okay with me for right now. And though I can't really answer the question "Why haven't you met a man yet?" I can answer that I am enjoying my life as a teacher, future "back to school student," my friends, and spending time with my family. I am happy already. I don't need a guy to make me happy. When the time is right, I want a man who will support me in these things already, and add to my already established happiness. And, I hope that someday, I can do the same for him. . . wherever he is.
-cheers.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Another Year Older
"You're still a baby!" I've heard some people say.
Yet, what defines a birthday,
the ability to pay?
Why do we use "birthdays" as markers
to signal that a person has reached another year of life?
Why do we celebrate once a year when, in reality,
the celebrations are happening -
everyday?
Forgiving a friend who has wronged you,
a student who has learned a new math concept,
driving safely on the road,
having dinner with friends
an afternoon with dad -
those are the moments we should be celebrating -
everyday.
those are the memories that mean more than a
"once-a-year" type of thing.
Don't get me wrong,
I'm not indifferent to birthdays -
in fact, I love them!
I always joke with my parents when my birthday approaches that
"it's the most important historical day in history."
And this year, my birthday was (is) great.
Really, birthdays are what we make of it.
Friends, coworkers, enjoying a meal together -
laughing and talking, leaving our differences at the door and
communing over food,
and shared conversations,
and really good company.
And a birthday celebration with my parents.
As I get older, these are the things that matter the most to me.
To me, it's not about "where" you go, or the initials attached to your name, or how many years you've been in a job, but its about
the memories.
The shared experiences.
The "going through the grit" and knowing that others are
right beside you,
"going through their grit," too.
And honestly, just sitting here reflecting over a cup of chamomile tea in my frog mug, its the moments -
whether quiet with my cats
or full of laughter with friends -
or phone calls with my mom -
that take up the majority of space in my heart.
It's those "keeping of memories" that we ought to try, albeit almost extremely hard,
to teach to our children.
As a teacher, our students need to know and be aware of that "likes" and "follows" and "comments" are all that life is.
A middle schooler once shared with me that they are looking to reach 2,000 followers.
Wow.
I'm just looking to get through 1 day.
That student is looking for followers.
Jesus had followers just by being himself.
He didn't count them.
He didn't create a status for them.
He didn't use emoji's to share how He felt.
He just lived.
And, to be honest, yet again, I think we all have experienced the effects of social media, whether positive or negative.
I have.
And granted, it is beneficial when used correctly.
But to measure your worth,
based on what a computer says or a "friend" says online is not the kind of memory that I want to create.
I want to create memories of things that I enjoy,
and then share those memories with "friends."
Memories matter.
Experiences matter.
People matter.
Always remember that there is a face behind the computer screen, phone screen, iPad screen. . .
a face that longs to be loved, understood, cared for, and wanted.
On another note. . .
This is my first post in over a year. With that said, I am going to make some time to write this year, and to post more regularly, my thoughts, my musings, my hopes and dreams.
that's all for now, from your gluten-free gal.
more "confessions" coming soon.
cheers!
Yet, what defines a birthday,
the ability to pay?
Why do we use "birthdays" as markers
to signal that a person has reached another year of life?
Why do we celebrate once a year when, in reality,
the celebrations are happening -
everyday?
Forgiving a friend who has wronged you,
a student who has learned a new math concept,
driving safely on the road,
having dinner with friends
an afternoon with dad -
those are the moments we should be celebrating -
everyday.
those are the memories that mean more than a
"once-a-year" type of thing.
Don't get me wrong,
I'm not indifferent to birthdays -
in fact, I love them!
I always joke with my parents when my birthday approaches that
"it's the most important historical day in history."
And this year, my birthday was (is) great.
Really, birthdays are what we make of it.
Friends, coworkers, enjoying a meal together -
laughing and talking, leaving our differences at the door and
communing over food,
and shared conversations,
and really good company.
And a birthday celebration with my parents.
As I get older, these are the things that matter the most to me.
To me, it's not about "where" you go, or the initials attached to your name, or how many years you've been in a job, but its about
the memories.
The shared experiences.
The "going through the grit" and knowing that others are
right beside you,
"going through their grit," too.
And honestly, just sitting here reflecting over a cup of chamomile tea in my frog mug, its the moments -
whether quiet with my cats
or full of laughter with friends -
or phone calls with my mom -
that take up the majority of space in my heart.
It's those "keeping of memories" that we ought to try, albeit almost extremely hard,
to teach to our children.
As a teacher, our students need to know and be aware of that "likes" and "follows" and "comments" are all that life is.
A middle schooler once shared with me that they are looking to reach 2,000 followers.
Wow.
I'm just looking to get through 1 day.
That student is looking for followers.
Jesus had followers just by being himself.
He didn't count them.
He didn't create a status for them.
He didn't use emoji's to share how He felt.
He just lived.
And, to be honest, yet again, I think we all have experienced the effects of social media, whether positive or negative.
I have.
And granted, it is beneficial when used correctly.
But to measure your worth,
based on what a computer says or a "friend" says online is not the kind of memory that I want to create.
I want to create memories of things that I enjoy,
and then share those memories with "friends."
Memories matter.
Experiences matter.
People matter.
Always remember that there is a face behind the computer screen, phone screen, iPad screen. . .
a face that longs to be loved, understood, cared for, and wanted.
On another note. . .
This is my first post in over a year. With that said, I am going to make some time to write this year, and to post more regularly, my thoughts, my musings, my hopes and dreams.
that's all for now, from your gluten-free gal.
more "confessions" coming soon.
cheers!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)