Sunday, April 28, 2013

Power of Words

Open a dictionary and you will find one of Earth's most powerful objects: words. The problem is that most people do not realize the power of the spoken word, and because of this, people often do not think before the words shoot out of their mouths.

Words can pierce our innermost feelings and leave an irreparable wound. Words can make the biggest, strongest man feel weak. Even a whisper of words can shatter dreams. I can vividly remember almost every time that someone I care(d) about has hurt me with something they have said. We can often forgive people for what they say, but we will never forget. We just don't realize the power of our words.

What I am asking you to think about is what comes out of your mouth. If words hold power, use them as tools for good. Tell your daughter she is beautiful and can achieve anything. Tell a stranger to have a great day. Tell a co-worker that you appreciate his/her hard work. Words alone can change a life. I can only speak for myself because it is the truth that I know. There have been two phrases that have been spoken to me constantly in the last four months that have changed me from weak to progressively on my way to being strong: "I believe in you," and, "I am proud of you." Four or five words have altered who I am because, not only are they positive, but I know the people telling me this genuinely mean them. Words can heal. Words can inspire. Words can create change.

Be careful when choosing what you say. It is impossible to catch words mid air and pull them back into our mouths. Once spoken, your words will linger on forever. If you don't mean it or it will do a great deal of harm, do not say it. Something that holds so much power should only be used for good.

Go say good things,

BT

Thursday, April 25, 2013

It's Not About Me

Hi, everyone. I love teachable moments. Luckily, I teach English, and literature allows for a multitude of chances for me try to connect with my students and stretch beyond metaphors and allusions.

Today was one of those days. We were reading MLK, Jr.'s "I've Been to the Mountaintop" speech, which was given the day before he was assassinated. In it, he was giving an example from the Bible where two men had passed by an injured man laying on the ground. Finally, an ordinary man stops and helps the injured man. King detailed how we need to not be so worried about ourselves that we do not help others. King wrote, "If I stop to help this man, what will happen to me?" But then the Good Samaritan came by. And he reversed the question: "If I do not stop to help this man, what will happen to him?"After jumping around and doing my Oprah "Ah ha" face, I threw this idea back to the students. What if instead of saying, "What will happen to me if I help?" we ask, "What will happen to this person if I don't?"

I am all for taking care of yourself. This is clearly necessary, but I think a major problem with this world is that people have become too worried with only themselves. Too often, we don't look for or take the opportunity to help someone else. We are too busy, scared, or fixated on our own lives to notice that other people need us. We must all be concerned about giving back and helping where we can. It is the only thing that will change the world. We should all take Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s wise words to heart. We need to be concerned what will happen to others just as much as what will happen to us. We must stop turning our heads when our help is necessary. Extend your hand. Help someone along. 

I look at my students each day they come into my classroom, and I want the world for them. I want them to grow up in a time that is even better than when I grew up. Because of that, I am choosing to live by MLK, Jr.'s quote. I know we can make this world a better place. I am done asking what will happen to me if I do this. I am done worrying about the time I will spend or the effort it is going to take. I look at those kids, who are filled to the brim with hopes, dreams, and potential, and I ask myself, "What will happen to them if I don't?" Please join me. Let's do it for them.

Go do good things,

BT

Monday, April 22, 2013

Tigger or Eeyore?

Hi, everyone. I am sitting outside on the porch finding some interesting speeches to share with my students. It could easily be the definition of the perfect day today. I love this weather.

In life, we have two choices. We can either be a Tigger or an Eeyore. It's truly as simple as that. Let's take a look at our options...

Tigger: These people are full of life and excitement. They are positive and meet a challenge head on. Life is viewed as overflowing with possibilities. They are fun to be around. To them, life is a gift.

Eeyore: Life is constantly unfair to these people. Nothing goes right nor will it ever. They would rather complain about anything than fix it. They rarely have fun because it takes too much effort to smile/laugh/enjoy themselves.

So, I ask you. Which is it? I am only 26, which should be some of the prime self-obsessed, everyone worry about me, and life only is great when it gives me what I want years; however, I see the overwhelming importance of choosing to be a Tigger. Each day we wake up with a world of possibility at our finger tips, and it is honestly our choice what we do with it. To me, that is exponentially exciting, and I hope you feel the same. Be excited for what could be. Enjoy each moment you have. Love the people you have surrounded yourself with. Work hard and enjoy doing it. Just be happy. We were made to be awesome. I am 100% sure of this.

You get one shot at this life. Make the very best out of what you're given before it passes you by. To some I am sure that I am annoying with my overflowing exuberance, but I absolutely refuse to be an Eeyore. I refuse not to be grateful for what I have. I refuse not to love my family, friends, and students as much as they deserve. I refuse to wallow in self pity. I refuse to not try to be everything I have wanted to be and could be. I encourage you to take the path that finds you essentially bouncing around on your tail. I promise that you'll have at least one person waiting to meet you. :)

Go do great things,

BT

PS- I will need a new name once I start year four. BT will just not work.

Thursday, April 18, 2013

The Moment

Hi, everyone.

I want to first take a second to send my deepest condolences out to all of those affected by the senseless bombings at the Boston Marathon. My thoughts are with everyone.

There comes a moment in life when every single thing you've ever done feels worth it. Every tear that has fallen, every drop of sweat, every minute spent, every ounce of energy expelled suddenly makes sense. It is in that one moment that you feel indescribable joy and utter happiness. All I ask is that you keep that moment in mind when all seems hopeless.

I had my very own moments this week, but what was even better was I saw this moment happen yesterday for my students. While I can't reveal what exactly happened in hopes of not jinxing it, I saw a light in the eyes of my students that I have never seen before. It will forever rank as one of the highlights of my life. I saw pure joy, excitement, and pride on their faces, and it was the best feeling. They, maybe for the first time, realized how much of an impact they are having not only on our small community but the world. It was something they will carry with them for the rest of their lives, and I am beyond grateful to have been a part of that.

All I hope is that all of you reading don't give up before reaching that moment. There will be times when you doubt yourself or are doubted by others. There will be times you fall and do not feel like getting up. There will be times when it feels like all the chips are stacked against you, but all of those trials will make this moment even sweeter. I promise that moment will come, and it will be worth it all. Fight for it. After this week, I now know how wonderful the feeling of success can truly feel. I am going to keep fighting for more and more of those moments. You should, too.

Go do good things,

BT


Sunday, April 14, 2013

Can't Be Broken

Hi, everyone. :)

Today will be quick because I have some grades that need to be entered. I just had a quick thought that needs to be pulled from my mind and put onto my blog.

I have had many people ask me if I get discouraged when I see students do the exact opposite of what we are trying to accomplish with the Kindness Campaign. The answer is no, and that is my advice today.

Never let people or experiences break your drive or dream of accomplishing whatever is in your heart.

There will always be naysayers. Unfortunately, life is full of them. People will always try to discount your efforts, but don't for one second let their comments take up space in your heart or mind. Use it purely for motivation. There is always a chance of failure no matter what we do. It's a fact of life. Ghandi, Mother Teresa, Martin Luther King, Jr., JFK, and many others could have easily stopped on their mission to change the world due to the incessant comments of those who did not believe in what was trying to be accomplished. They didn't stop though. When you're trying something big, you have to be willing to take a few hits in order to get to the finish line. Just keep going. If it means that much to you, nothing should stop you.

Do I get discouraged when I hear and see negative actions at school? No. It only motivates me more. I know I won't change everyone. That's impossible. I refuse to stop trying though. Great things happen because great people have dreams that they refuse to let die.

Go do good things,

BT

Saturday, April 13, 2013

What is a hero?

Exhaustion has set in, but nothing can keep me from writing. :)

A few days ago, I sat across from the person who inspired me to become a teacher with my head in my hands confessing that I didn't feel as though I was doing what I was supposed to. I told her that I was supposed to make an impact on a large scale, and, at the moment, I didn't even think I was doing it in my own classroom. I felt that I was not fulfilling my purpose. I picked my head up and looked across at my mentor turned friend and thought about all that she was to me, and it was then I realized that true heroes don't necessarily have to change the world. Heroes can simply change one person.

My life has been changed by a few people who would classify themselves as ordinary people, but to me they are anything but. They make every aspect of life seem better. They somehow can solve every life crisis and help me clear up confusion. They support my every venture and calm every worry. They show me every single day what being a strong, intelligent, hardworking, caring, and inspirational person means. They are everything great compacted into just one being. They are everything I hope one day of becoming.

A hero doesn't have to be famous. In fact, a hero doesn't want to be famous. After picking up my head and looking at the lady I've looked up to for the past ten years, I saw a true hero. I knew at that moment that I needed to calm down and put everything into perspective. Yes, it is my dream to change the world, and I am going to go after it with everything I have, but there is nothing wrong with impacting a few people in my small town either. An impact is an impact, no matter where and on what scale. When I think of how I was changed by those closest to me, it would be enough to be half of that to someone else.

Go do good things,

BT

Monday, April 8, 2013

What If?

Hi, everyone.

I told someone this once, and I think it's true, but I grew up on too much Oprah. I spent almost every day as a young child watching this remarkable woman ease pains, give gifts of a lifetime, reunite long lost families, and constantly stress the ability we all have to be something great. Whether it should have or not, her message plopped itself down deep within my heart as a kid and has never left. Thank goodness. :)

I think her message is for everyone. What if each and every one of us has the ability to be something bigger than we could ever imagine? What if we all could make a huge impact? I personally think we can. Greatness doesn't stick to a zip code or a last name. Greatness goes to people who believe in something so badly that they will go to any lengths to achieve it. Making a difference in this world is possible when one put it into her mind that she will not settle for anything less than what she wants. Passion and sheer determination are the keys.

Deep down in my gut I feel that I was put here to do something big. In my younger days, people would laugh at me when I said that. Now, I am blessed with people that look me straight in the eyes and say, "I believe in you. I know you can do it." With a little more life experience under my belt and a fantastic support group, I am finally starting my journey. I don't know what exactly it is I am supposed to do, but I know I am supposed to do something. I want to be a person who helps others, who shows that kindness can change lives, and who inspires others to be the best they can be. More than wanting it though, I am willing to work for it.

I don't know if it is just too much Oprah, but I think we each have greatness within us just waiting to be used.  Like Marianne Williamson said, "Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us." I have decided, and I hope you will too, that I am not going to be afraid of what I could be; I am going to go after it. What if....

Go do good things,

BT

Saturday, April 6, 2013

What Are We Waiting For?

Hi, everyone! Spring break is rapidly coming to an end. All of my friends who flew the coup are slowly starting to trickle back home. It's an exciting time for me. :)

My life seems to be in overdrive, and I could not be happier about it. After a fun day and great chat with an incredible person, I came home to start on a project that I have always wanted to do but never thought I could. Ding..ding..ding...post idea!

If there is something that you want to do, GET GOING!

There are a million and one excuses that we can all use as a reason not to do something, but why? If you want to remodel your house, do it. If you want to start a business, get to it. If you want to go back to school, apply! I realize there are a lot of outside factors that could prevent some of these from happening, but I want to inspire you to try!

I am starting to realize how quickly life moves. It started picking up pace at 21 and hasn't seemed to slow down since. If I sit back, I will find myself retired on the back deck reading all the books I was never able to when I was teaching. Now is the time to go after every thing you want.

For me and many others, the scariest part is the first step. It is the fear of the unknown and the possibility of failing. Those fears are present in almost everything we do, so we can't let those inhibit us. The prospect of us achieving our goals or accomplishing a dream should outweigh all. Each of us is capable of so much. We just don't believe it. I watch Kid President, a little 9-year-old from Tennessee, and realize how one person can do anything. He has inspired millions of people, young and old, to be kinder to others. He has made people more cognizant of how they treat others. A little boy did that. If he can inspire the world, you can do whatever it is you're dreaming of. I promise.

We have one shot at this life. I don't know about you, but I want it to be magical. I want to fight for each of my dreams. I know I will stumble at times, but the thought of succeeding will be what picks me up every time. As one of the greatest people alive always tells me, "I believe in you." Put your mind to it, and go for it!!

Go do good things,

BT

“We should all start to live before we get too old. Fear is stupid. So are regrets.”  ― Marilyn Monroe 

Tuesday, April 2, 2013

So What's the Difference?

Hi, friends.

I hope today finds you all well. It's spring break up here, so I am feeling pretty great at the moment. I will feel even better when I completely finish that pesky grading. A friend and I are starting a project that we are both excited about, so I went out to Barnes and Noble to search for some inspiration. I found a fabulous book that gave me ammunition for a new post.

"We all do the same things. It's how we do them that makes the difference."

I sat in the middle of the B&N aisle with my mouth open and looking around for someone to do the awkward, "You totally have to read this; it's so true," face to, but I was alone in the Self-Exploration aisle. What's new? Just another day in my life.

That's the key, folks. We all know those people who put just a little extra detail into what they do. The difference in that small detail completely changes the delivery and its reception. I am going to use the example of the Walmart greeter in my hometown. The greeter's job entails saying hello and goodbye to customers and assisting with any first hand questions that arise, but basically it is saying hi and bye. Every other greeter does just fine. I always receive my, "Hi," and, "Thanks for shopping." Yet, there is one man who just puts a little extra into what he does. He makes you feel like coming into Walmart is the best decision you could have ever made in your life. He welcomes you like one would welcome someone into his/her home. He makes eye contact. He points out something that he likes about you and tells you. He puts a smile on your face. That is the difference.

Whenever you do something, find a way to put your heart into it. Life is too short to do anything that you don't truly love or have a passion for. Make people feel something. People will notice. If you can change even one day, then you are a huge success. If we all cared a little more about making each day more special for others, think of the possibilities. I know that I for one am going to be sure I do this.

Go do good things,

BT