Coop-a-Loop

We all have that one friend. She's that person who you know you can go to to make you laugh. She is the one who brightens a room and everyone is drawn to. That's Cooper. Today, I am going to focus on the important lessons I've learned from my partner-in-crime. I wish everyone was more like her.

"Life loves the liver of it." Maya Angelou

Cooper is quite possibly the happiest and most fun person I've met in my entire life. She loves to smile, laugh, and just have a great time. She doesn't just go through the motions; she lives life. We need to realize that we only get one shot at our lives, so it is important to make the best out of every day. Be silly. Have fun. Make lots of friends. Laugh as much as humanly possible. Enjoy every moment. In doing that, you'll attract others who live in a similar way, which makes life all the better. Don't be someone who whines or complains about every little situation. That's no fun. Change your attitude and find the good in everything. Because of Cooper, I try to always make the most out of every situation. Might as well, right?

Don't worry about things you can't control

B.Coop does not waste her time fretting about issues that are out of her hand. She lives in the moment and only worries about what needs to be. She knows that so much of what bothers us is completely out of our control; therefore, we are wasting our time even thinking about it. I love that about her. Fix what you can. Let the rest go. Your attention needs to be on what you have power over, not what you don't.

Never stop having fun

It does not matter what your age is. You are allowed to have fun no matter what. Just because you hit a certain number doesn't mean you have to be in bed at 6:30 watching reruns of Matlock. It doesn't mean that you can't make friends with the newbie teacher. It doesn't mean that you can't skip down the halls, sing at the top of your lungs to "We Are the World," and dance like you're on the Madonna World tour. Age means nothing. What means something is that you are always enjoying life no matter which birthday you happen to be at. Coop has inspired me to never stop having fun and to always love every second of my life.

When I am hanging out with B.Coop, I know I am going to have the best time. I often laugh until I am afraid my bladder won't be strong enough to take much more. People give us strange looks, but we have decided it's just because they want to join in. (Let us have that, please. Don't argue) What I do know is Cooper has taught me so much, and I wish everyone had a little Cooper in them. Life would be so much more fun.

Go be like Cooper,

BT

Hometown Hero

For the next few nights, I am going to take a break from authors and literary characters to focus on the lessons taught to me by my heroes. Tonight is going to be J.Hunt's night. I have known this incredible woman since the ripe age of 16. She has been through the major ups and downs with me and is the reason I teach. Every morning, I parade down to her office for our morning chats, and each day I find myself more and more excited to see her. She is beyond words. Let's take a look at the most profound lessons from J. Hunt.

"Don't worry about the B+; it adds character."

This was said to me while scheduling classes for my senior year. J.Hunt was looking over my transcript and had come across my first B+. I was distraught. I was embarrassed. I was disappointed. I was quickly trying to explain to her how I was a good student and math was tough for me. She stopped me and said, "Don't worry about the B+; it adds character." I remember looking at her funny because I was completely unsure at the time how in the world a B+ was going to make me a better person. I see the lesson now. Life is not always about being the best and succeeding at everything. There is much to be learned during the times we falter and don't get what we wanted. We learn that we are strong and resilient, and we are able to still be great. Don't let the bumps in life knock you off course. Learn from them, and let them add to your character. 

There are people you can completely trust.

We learn quickly that trust is something that is to be guarded and rarely given. Too often, people share what they aren't supposed to, lie when the truth is wanted, and back stab when we think they care. We then walk around with tower-like walls built up around us in order to protect our hearts. Through J.Hunt, I have learned that there are people who you can completely trust. There are friends who genuinely care and only want the very best for you. They will listen to your deepest secrets and keep them just that...secrets. They want to be there as pillars of support. They want to encourage. They want to celebrate successes. People like J.Hunt prove true friends are out there. You have to #1) search hard #2) go through a few bad ones and #3) be very lucky. :) Protect yourself, but when you find a friend like her, enjoy the gift that they truly are. 

Always be kind...even when it's not deserved.

J. Hunt has shown me through example that even though others can be rude or hurtful, it doesn't mean you have to be. She is always kind, helpful, and respectful to everyone, even those who do not treat her the same. When I watch her do this, I see a quiet strength and poise that I admire more than she knows. Always be the bigger person in the situation. You are not always going to be treated the way you deserve to be treated, but that doesn't mean you have to stoop to that level. You can always choose to be kind. That says more about you. When you can step up and be a good person to those who are not good to you, you prove your strength and integrity. Be like J. Hunt, and just be nice. :)

I have learned countless lessons from her over the past ten years. I am excited to think about all I will learn during the next ten years of our friendship. What I do know is that she is irreplaceable to me, and I don't know where I'd be without her. Remember her lessons because I can promise you that they will come in handy. 

Go do good things,

BT

Miss Maya

I have decided to make the life lesson from people in literature into a miniature series. Today focuses around one of my favorite authors Maya Angelou. I often dream of being in a room with her for an entire day while she showers me with advice and stories about absolutely anything and everything. I find her to be mesmerizing and profound. Let's take a little gander at some of my favorite lessons from. Dr. Maya Angelou. 

"If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude."

This is the easiest way for people to change their lives, but it is the hardest for most to do. Instead of plopping down and whining about a situation, we need to fix it or make the best of it. We only waste time and our happiness by complaining. A little attitude adjustment often goes a long way. Find the good!

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel."

This can be both a blessing and a curse depending on our impact. Because of the undeniable truth of this quote, make sure that you are always conscious of how you are treating people. Leave a positive impression on those you come in contact with. Make others feel loved, important, encouraged, and believed in. They will never forget that. 

"When someone shows you who they are, believe them the first time."

We females have a tendency of giving a million chances or believing that we can change others. We then feel hurt or distraught when someone does something we don't agree with; however, people usually show us who they are right away. If they show you that they have a propensity to lie, believe that they will do that to you. Don't be shocked and dismayed when it happens to you. When you meet someone for the first time and they are sharing others' secrets, don't be shocked when you find out they are sharing yours. It's good to give the benefit of the doubt, but don't be fooled. Don't wait until the 29th time; believe people the first time!

Dr. Maya Angelou is the type of woman we all could learn countless lessons from. Her words inspire me daily. I hope you found some inspiration from them as well. Thanks for taking the time to read this. It means everything to me!

Go do good things,

BT

PS--I am leaving you a video from Oprah who shares her (and my) favorite Maya Angelou lesson. This is doubly exciting for me since Oprah is the one detailing it. 

"When you know better, you do better."

Life lessons from Mr. Finch

Apparently, writer's block is cured on the 6:00 AM drive to work. I was thinking about the greatest character in all of literature. Of all the books I have read, if I had the choice of one character I'd like to meet, Atticus Finch from To Kill a Mockingbird (best book ever!) would far and away be my choice. He epitomizes so much of what I want to be like. The following are the three best lessons I've learn from my fictional hero.

#1- "You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view - until you climb into his skin and walk around in it."

I wish everyone had this imprinted into his/her brain. Humans have a tendency to prejudge. We make snap judgments about others without knowing the full story because, of course, we "know everything." For example, a few years ago, I had a senior who fell asleep the second he walked into my class. I grew frustrated quickly and called him out into the hall to talk about his "disrespect." It was then I learned that both his parents lost their jobs, and he had been working each week day until 2 AM to help pay the bills for the family. Huge lesson for me. We need to practice empathy over sympathy. 

#2- "The one thing that doesn't abide by majority rule is a person's conscience."

I was taught at an early age not to follow others "just because." Deep down we know what is right, and we need to follow that even if others aren't. Do what you know is right even if it is the hardest thing to do. 

#3- "I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand.  It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see through it no matter what."

Too often, we are afraid to go after something because of the fear of failure. Life is full of disappointments, but the disappointment should only be tied to the times we don't try. We are capable of so much if we just buckle down and go after it. We often surprise ourselves in the end, and even if we do end up coming up short, there is more to be learned from the journey than from the finish. 

Go do great things,

BT

I Am

I had my 5,983,420th Oprah "Ah-ha" moment this  past weekend. I may have over exaggerated that number slightly, but I am sure it's not too far off. Here is what made me gasp a little: "What ever follows 'I am' follows you."

If we go around saying, "I'm tired," sure enough, we feel even more tired than before. "I am lonely. I am not good enough. I am not pretty." Those statements fly out of our mouths way more than they should. The problem is that those feelings will manifest and latch onto you. When you tell yourself you're aren't something, you start to believe it and will struggle to shake it.

I urge you to change your "I am" statements. Only say things that you wouldn't mind following you. You have to be your own best friend. Your best friend tells you that you're pretty, you can do it, you are special, etc. We all need to start saying that to ourselves. If you have a big project due at work and you're nervous about it, tell yourself, "I am going to do great." Saying, "I am not sure I can do this," will only lead to more and more anxiousness and trepidation. Change "I am tired," to "I can't wait to get my second wind." (Unless it is bed time. Then, by all means, be tired and go to bed.)

I am guilty of this, and I kind of feel like a hypocrite for even saying this to all of you, but I have made a conscious effort to change what I say to and about myself. It has made a huge difference in my overall happiness. You are all so wonderful, unique, and talented. Tell yourself that every day. Make your "I am" positive, and you will find positivity will be right on your heels.

Go do great things,

BT

Haters

I have spent my whole life trying to please everyone. I wanted to be liked by everyone. I wanted everyone to be proud of me. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to make someone else happy. Basically, I was looking for validation from every single person who I came in contact with, and all I did was set myself up for years of frustration. Even when I did everything I thought I could to make everyone else happy, there were still people who didn't like me or what I was doing. There were times I was completely ripped apart by people even when I did my absolute best.

This used to affect me until I realized that validation is a private not public thing. I care about what the people closest to me think. If my best friend thinks I am not doing a good job at something, that means something to me because she actually knows me. If someone who I don't know all that well and don't care too much about thinks what I am doing is stupid, I can't care about that. Look to your inner circle for the validation or constructive criticism you need. Don't look to strangers.

Someone is always going to have something to say about you, and most of the time it doesn't even have to do with you. They are saying something because of some issue they have with themselves. Tearing someone else down is much easier than looking in the mirror and reflecting upon what you yourself need to change. Don't take that personally. Remember that these people don't really even know you. If they did, then wouldn't be making those comments. While watching OWN, someone said, "People you don't love can't hurt you." That was huge to me. We give people we don't care about power over us. We let them dictate our emotions and feelings about our self worth. If you don't love them, wave their comments away and keep going. People are always going to talk. Let them. They are the ones who will look foolish.

You all have a strong core group of family and friends who love you and only want the best for you. Focus on them for what you need. Don't let the haters in to bring you down. You are capable of so much, and you don't need anyone criticizing you when they do not know who you really are. Keep moving forward because people who gossip or constantly criticize will always stay behind.

Go do great things,

BT

Inspired Beyond Measure

I have nothing profound to share tonight. I just have to write exactly what I am feeling at this moment.

I feel blessed beyond measure. Never in my life have I felt so inspired. I had always been too scared to go after my dreams because who actually dreams of trying to change the world with kindness. That's something one would read about in a book or watch in a Disney film. However, because of the support of great friends, family, and amazing co-teacher, I feel like my students are doing something special. We've made contacts with incredible people around the country, and I see the happiness on the student's faces. As for me, my happiness just radiates everywhere. I can't seem to control it, and that is something I don't mind. :)

I wish I could give this feeling to each and every one of you who read this. If you have a dream, please go for it. Just try. My life has truly never made sense until now. I wake up and go to sleep thinking about ways we can inspire other people to join our mission, and I love every second of it. Find what makes you happy, and go. You won't regret trying; you'll only regret never making an attempt.

What I have found is that inspired people can't help but inspire others. I have been blessed with a new friend this year who doesn't dream; she just does. She sets her sights on a goal, and she makes it happen. She is inspired to make everything she does better than it was. Her work is impeccable, but, most of all, it is done from the heart. She loves what she does and gives her heart and soul to it. After seeing this, I knew that I, too, could be like this. I hope that I have also inspired some students to do the same. It's hard not to want to be more and do more when you watch someone else bask in the happiness of going after a passion.

Find your passion. It can be absolutely anything, but whatever it is, do it. Do it because it makes you happy. Do it because it is your purpose in life. I never knew joy like I feel now. I wish nothing but the very same for each and every one of you. "Life loves the liver of it." Go and live inspired!

Go do great things,

BT