Happy Holidays, everyone.
I am not planning on giving you a run down of my year because it would take me way too long to hit all of the highlights from 2012. It was definitely a year that I will never forget but also a year I am ready to package and put away; however, before I put the on lid and put the year to rest, I thought I'd share some of the best lessons that surfaced during the past twelve months.
1. Do something that scares you---You'll never know what you're capable of unless you take that dreaded first step out into the unknown. It is utterly terrifying to step towards something you're not completely sure will end in success, but what you learn from the journey far outweighs the results.
2. It's healthy to occasionally reassess--- I hit the 25-year-life-itch and debated about starting a new path for my life. I was so unsure about everything that I used to think was a given, but what came from it was a new sense of self. I became more surefooted about my career and location. This isn't to say that I won't have another "life-itch," but right now I feel pretty sure about my path. We must all do this at different times in our lives. It's important to see what's out there and make sure we are doing what's best for ourselves.
3. Only give time to those who deserve it---I used to give so much of myself to everyone, even if someone didn't treat me the best. This year I worked on ending this issue, and what I took away from it was a much happier me. I focused mainly on those who cared about me and wanted the best for me. I urge all of you to do the same if you don't already. We are all worth the very best.
4. Life is about the little moments---Take time to soak up the little things in life; these add up to make big memories if you let them. I will forever remember walking around IU at midnight while campus was deserted, and the snow was falling, blanketing the most beautiful town I have laid eyes on. It was nothing crazy, but the image is forever ingrained in my mind because it was special to me. Life isn't always about the big moments or materialistic things. Joy, pure joy, can be found in the smallest of moments or gifts.
5. Be kind---It's so easy to be judgmental, impatient, selfish, or rude, but don't! Being kind to others says more about your character than anything else ever will. Kindness is a quality this world needs a lot more of, so let's get to it.
I am hoping for big things in 2013. I am not sure what lies ahead in my future, but I vow to be open and receptive to it all. I will laugh more, be nicer, work harder, search for joy in all I do, and keep growing. I wish all the same for every one of you. If I could wish for one thing for everyone though, I wish you all heaps and heaps of happiness.
Go do good things in 2013,
BT
Sunday, December 30, 2012
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Unspeakable Sadness
Hi, all.
I have no lesson today. I have only a pit in my stomach from what transpired in CT yesterday. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this horrific tragedy.
It's a teacher's biggest fear; I know it is mine. It isn't something I have at the forefront of my mind each day at school, but it is always lingering in the back. What if? What would I do? How would I get as many kids as possible in my room and hidden away safely? And, inevitably, I always ask, "Why?"
I spoke to my 5th hour about the accident when they came into class. I find most things to be valuable teaching lessons. After a few kids gave their thoughts and opinions, one boy raised his hand. "Miss Parker, would you try to save us? Would you take a bullet for us?" I looked around the room. Yes, my 5th hour is my most troublesome class of the day. Yes, some refuse to turn in an ounce of work. Yes, I breathe a sigh of relief when they walk out, but I love each and every one of them. I scanned the room and said to him, "Absolutely. I absolutely would."
There is not even the tiniest piece of me that can rationalize what happened or what would make someone commit such a heinous act. Each time this happens, it shakes the moral fabric of our country. We have to do something; I just don't know what that something is. I read the list of names and ages of the victims and just cried. There is no reason for it. Crime and senseless killings are bad enough, but innocent and defenseless children? No.
The teachers in CT who selflessly put their life in danger to save those precious little kids should forever be immortalized. What heroes.
Go do GOOD things,
A sad BT
I have no lesson today. I have only a pit in my stomach from what transpired in CT yesterday. My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this horrific tragedy.
It's a teacher's biggest fear; I know it is mine. It isn't something I have at the forefront of my mind each day at school, but it is always lingering in the back. What if? What would I do? How would I get as many kids as possible in my room and hidden away safely? And, inevitably, I always ask, "Why?"
I spoke to my 5th hour about the accident when they came into class. I find most things to be valuable teaching lessons. After a few kids gave their thoughts and opinions, one boy raised his hand. "Miss Parker, would you try to save us? Would you take a bullet for us?" I looked around the room. Yes, my 5th hour is my most troublesome class of the day. Yes, some refuse to turn in an ounce of work. Yes, I breathe a sigh of relief when they walk out, but I love each and every one of them. I scanned the room and said to him, "Absolutely. I absolutely would."
There is not even the tiniest piece of me that can rationalize what happened or what would make someone commit such a heinous act. Each time this happens, it shakes the moral fabric of our country. We have to do something; I just don't know what that something is. I read the list of names and ages of the victims and just cried. There is no reason for it. Crime and senseless killings are bad enough, but innocent and defenseless children? No.
The teachers in CT who selflessly put their life in danger to save those precious little kids should forever be immortalized. What heroes.
Go do GOOD things,
A sad BT
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
You May Say I'm a Dreamer...
Hi, all.
I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday evening. In a fabulous turn of events, my niece has learned to say my name, and I was blessed with an audio recording of it, so needless to say, I am pretty ecstatic.
Lesson of the Day: Be a dreamer.
If ever I couldn't think of or wish for something that was deemed implausible, I would be lost. While I don't run around protesting for world peace, which would be lovely, I find myself wishing for things that are pretty far fetched. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish all my students will turn all their work in and get an "A" or that Ellen/Oprah will come to their senses and ask me to be a part of their shows. I feel like wanting, wishing, or dreaming for something bigger ensures that we never settle. I know that Oprah and Ellen will one day find me, so I refuse to let my sense of humor tapper off into nothing.
Truly though, always be a dreamer. Wish and hope for things bigger and better than what you have now. It doesn't have to be materialistic things. Dream for things that will add to your life in other ways. I have this dream that one day my students will all think about what they say before they speak in order to ensure they don't hurt someone else in the class. I know it is asking a lot, but I keep the hope. I implore you to do the same.
What if? What if it was possible? That's what I always tell myself. I watch the impossible happen every day on TV. We conquered the moon, rallied a million people to march for equality, and watched that lead to an African American become president. Impossible is nothing. We can do absolutely anything if we just focus enough time and energy to it. This I am sure of.
I am off to dream now. I hope you do, too.
Go do good things,
BT
I hope you're having a wonderful Wednesday evening. In a fabulous turn of events, my niece has learned to say my name, and I was blessed with an audio recording of it, so needless to say, I am pretty ecstatic.
Lesson of the Day: Be a dreamer.
If ever I couldn't think of or wish for something that was deemed implausible, I would be lost. While I don't run around protesting for world peace, which would be lovely, I find myself wishing for things that are pretty far fetched. There isn't a day that goes by that I don't wish all my students will turn all their work in and get an "A" or that Ellen/Oprah will come to their senses and ask me to be a part of their shows. I feel like wanting, wishing, or dreaming for something bigger ensures that we never settle. I know that Oprah and Ellen will one day find me, so I refuse to let my sense of humor tapper off into nothing.
Truly though, always be a dreamer. Wish and hope for things bigger and better than what you have now. It doesn't have to be materialistic things. Dream for things that will add to your life in other ways. I have this dream that one day my students will all think about what they say before they speak in order to ensure they don't hurt someone else in the class. I know it is asking a lot, but I keep the hope. I implore you to do the same.
What if? What if it was possible? That's what I always tell myself. I watch the impossible happen every day on TV. We conquered the moon, rallied a million people to march for equality, and watched that lead to an African American become president. Impossible is nothing. We can do absolutely anything if we just focus enough time and energy to it. This I am sure of.
I am off to dream now. I hope you do, too.
Go do good things,
BT
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