A New Year's Promise! A Reflection on Potential & Promise

I was sharing the latest news of my teaching journey with a mentor.  “It seems that people love to tell me I have great potential, ” I said.   We talked about the significance of my role as a substitute teacher and serving in the community.  At the end of the conversation, my mentor circled back to having great potential.  Truthfully, I have heard that phrase so often in my life that it’s almost worthless.  Nonetheless, I trust this person’s words. This meant that if he repeated the jaded phrase I’d take it to heart.  I listened ready to admit that just my potential was great.    Then he spoke, “Julie, you are past potential. You are committed to your goal. Your journey proves that… Just keep going”.       His words were meaningful and unexpected. More importantly, our conversation reminded me that often there isn’t an adequate way to outwardly measure the inner workings of the heart.  Rather, it’s an approach to life that allows honesty and authenticity to be at the center of   ambition.

  

As we head into the New Year I’m closely considering the kindness and impact of my mentor’s words.  You see, resolution is defined as “ determining   a course of action to get to a goal”--- that usually looses its value quickly.      This is to say, we may or may not follow through. Yet, on this journey the worth of a PROMISE has been so powerful!  By definition, a promise is defined as “an expression of assurance or an indication of expectation.”        For me, there’s always an expectation of intentional commitment behind a PROMISE!   Furthermore, I was taught that the day should always start and end with a goal.  Regretfully, I must admit, I’ve been less than perfect with my goal setting practices.   I’ve seemed to dismiss the value of the smaller accomplishments because I’ve spent too much time comparing where I am to where I want to be.     Truthfully,  the fear of not being good enough --- the need not to be better but, the BEST  in the long run will keep me from being the BEST version of myself.  It’s a   natural reaction to compare but not a healthy one.  It’s fair to say, I should start the year with a goal not to compare!  And further still, at the points when life seems anything but fair, I need to appreciate that someone recognizes that I not only demonstrate potential Promise but I am living my Promise--- even if it’s not complete.

 This year, I’m forgetting about worthless resolutions.  Instead, I’ll continue to focus on the PROMISE I made so long ago to give others HOPE in whatever I do or say.   I’ll choose one more PROMISE to fulfill for this year and tell only one person so; they hold me accountable for that commitment.   I’ve learned that commitment to what we hold true in our hearts is what makes each of us great.   

 Happy New Year! Wishing you a year full of light & promise!

  

My Two Cents : A Reflection on Giving

Today charitable organizations across the United States and globally celebrate Giving Tuesday.    The day is dedicated to contributing resources and funds to support good works.    This day also means that my Facebook feed is flooded with kindhearted pleas from the community to make financial gifts.    At this point in my life there’s not too much extra income to give.   Nonetheless, each of us can always give for good!

Words of Care

I’ve made a general rule:  try to write a “Julie note” a day. These notes are intentional messages of care that let others know they matter.   This practice keeps me grounded in hope --- understanding that others might need encouragement and care as much as I do.  I’ve believed for a long time that the way we use our words might be among our greatest gifts.  As a writer, I want my words to be perfect--- to reach someone’s heart in just the right way.  Often before I write Julie notes the outline sketched in my head is flawless. Then, I sit down to write ---- the flawless words become imperfect and my eyes fill with tears as I recognize why this person matters to me in that moment.  Truthfully, writing has taught me that perfect   words might not exist.  Yet, I write anyway because in each written word  (and spoken word) I strive to give away a little of my strength, love and encouragement.   Writing gives me a chance to say, Thanks for being you and hopefully it allows the recipient of the note to understand that they are part of the reason for my hope.  So if you want to give today perhaps, writing a note of care to the staff of your favorite charity is a start.  Words of encouragement written from the heart are a meaningful way to give for good!

Intentional Time  & Connection

As a   perspective teacher, I LOVE to give to organizations that support education. Still, most of what I give is time.  As charities mention that generous donors will match donations given to a certain dollar amount I am puzzled.  The time I spend giving won’t ever be matched because the way I give (or you) give is different from the way anyone else will ever be able to give because each of us has a special gift.   So, instead I must make my time count!    Often this means reading or simply talking with children.  Recently, I was talking with a student when she said, Hey Miss Julie, Where is your watch that counts how many steps you walk each day?”   It’s in a drawer at home. I lost the charger.”   Well she said, “I remember from a long time ago.”  As a volunteer, I was shocked. This youngster had remembered my watch could count my steps and created a memory around the idea that we both like to play or exercise whichever you prefer!  It was such a special moment for me as I remembered that students (and older folks) generally, appreciate the ways that you show up to love, listen, and share with them!  So, if you want to give today perhaps, time well spent to listen to a child, family member, or a friend is a start.  Listening to others is an opportunity to create connection.  If you want to connect to a common cause you could also consider committing time to your favorite charity.    The first non- profit internship I ever took the executive director shared these unforgettable words of wisdom:  “Most people forget that in the non profit world, volunteers are the hands, heart, and feet behind the operation.”    Connecting with others   through service is a meaningful way to give for good!

A Final Word on Giving

 

I find that serving students is a fulfilling way to accomplish my dream of becoming a teacher. It’s a unique way for me to TELL (Teach, Encourage, Listen & Love) students that they matter! Furthermore; it allows me to develop my identity as a teacher, leader, and a thinker.  Service gives my life purpose.   This means that all of the ways I give come from my heart.  Heartfelt giving is the greatest way to give. 

 In the end, the best way for me to explain giving is this.  Giving to others is simply a chance to remember the BEST and MOST PERFECT   experiences of my life and then to do everything with my words  and resources to recreate that same sense of JOY for the community where I serve.

Together with hearts of intentional joy & gratitude we can all give for good!

With a joyful heart,

Julie 

Ps .  Give for good is the official hashtag of Giving Tuesday. It's not my original phrase  & you can learn more about the TELL organization from other blog posts.  

Making Ourselves Irreplaceable: The Family Photo

These days schools have more students than classrooms.  This means it’s not uncommon for teachers to share their classrooms. Last week while I was substitute teaching, a student that had come to class early to take a test innocently asked, “Are you replacing Mr. Simpson or Ms. Woods today?”    I replied with a smile.  Still, the way he had asked for his test and his teacher struck me.    Sometimes, as someone who copes with cerebral palsy it can feel as though the world is moving around me but there’s not actually a definitive place for me to use my abilities in an impactful way.       This student’s question gave  me something to consider:  Life shouldn’t be about replacing others rather; it should be about making our abilities and ourselves irreplaceable!

A few weeks ago I arrived in what I consider my favorite volunteer spot.   This particular group has become a second family.   It’s the goal of the organization to make everyone who comes feel welcome to the space--- Staff, students, and volunteers.   We often refer to ourselves as family.  A sense of belonging is contagious here.  One staff member was so inspired by the family culture that she created a collage of photos from our programming that spells out the word FAMILY.  It’s a creative reminder of the commitment and care that comes with carrying out our mission.  As I walked into the office and sat waiting for students; a staff member greeted me. “Hey Julie!  I was looking at the collage closely today and recognized the back of your head. Yup, that ‘s it right there!” Wow, I replied, that’s been there for a long time and I never noticed. “ 

           

It’s a funny thing because as a teacher if you spend a considerable amount of time with the same group of students  you begin to recognize the qualities and   quirks that make them unique individuals. It could be their handwriting, their tone of voice, or even the back of their heads as they move swiftly through the hallways.  This time though, someone had recognized me.  Most of my time in this space is spent peeling oranges during snack, reading, mastering multiplication tables, or just talking with students.  These seemingly ordinary tasks are truly a collection of cherished memories! The experience of being spotted in the FAMILY photo helped me realize that even when I feel like my abilities aren’t impactful others  might notice my unique qualities and quirks.     Further still, the FAMILY   photo helps me remember that my Joy, hope, sorrow, and even a little fear that I don’t fit in is exactly what makes me irreplaceable!

 

 Photo  Challenge : As we head into the holiday season try to capture a candid photo of those who  you  consider  family in action. Then pass on a the photo with words of gratitude  about the traits that make that particular loved one or friend irreplaceable   to you!  Recognizing  the uniqueness of others is an amazing gift!  Seasons greetings!

The World's A Wreck

  

Last night as I drifted off to sleep salty and silent tears streamed down my face.  You see, the world’s a wreck and I can’t fix it.

Last week 26 people died going to church.  As Breaking News crossed the television screen and flooded my Facebook feed I immediately thought of my family of faith.  I considered that when my heart feels like it’s breaking I find refuge and unwavering hope in a community that believes in promises greater than I could ever imagine.     You see, the world’s a wreck and I can’t fix it.

Only weeks ago there was more Breaking News: 50 people died enjoying a concert in Las Vegas. I’m not one for large crowds and I’ve only been to one concert in my life.  Still, I can’t help but think that maybe it’s a good thing I just prefer to listen to music in the comfort of my home.   You see, the world’s a wreck and I can’t fix it.

 And still only a few weeks before watching Sunday afternoon Football with our closest family and friends becomes Breaking News: As this happened I consider a conversation I had with a middle school student.  I often explain having cerebral palsy   to youngsters using football. It’s kind of like if the quarter back pulls his hamstring and has to be benched for a while. The biggest difference is that if we want to impact our community even as people who learn differently sitting on the sidelines won’t work.  The idea that life carries a unique set of obstacles for me as young woman with a disability always sits in the back of my mind. Yet, even on days when my heart is breaking as much as news; I try to lead with a heart of gratitude. You see, the world’s a wreck and I can’t fix it.

Rewind a few more weeks more Breaking News:  This time hurricanes are destroying the tropics and the coastlines of Florida.   As this happened I consider that while I’m not thrilled about the beach we’ve taken family vacations to the tropics and know people who call Florida home.  And I consider that maybe, I don’t want to take anymore family vacations here----  Really, who am I kidding, vacations don’t really matter because if you live in devastated areas and depend on tourists to make a living then your solidly out of work.  Not to mention, if you happen to be in place where the hurricane made landfall--- then the schools I love so much as teacher, they are closed and relying on donations to get learning again! You see, the world’s a wreck and I can’t fix it.

I could keep recounting more Breaking News because sadly that’s just a snapshot of the national news. I left out what’s going on in my city and in yours. You can fill that empty space ---- or maybe you don’t want to because it’s too heartbreaking.

You see, the world’s a wreck and we can’t fix it. Yet, all this Breaking News   might be a reason to listen and love others more carefully. So what do we do with this? Stop just thinking about the people who mean the most to you. Find a way to tell them.    Then, find a way to agreeably disagree with others because odds are even when we disagree both thoughts have merit.  Our life stories are just different--- and that alone drastically impacts what we see.   After that read a book, drink a cup of coffee, go on walk---- do something you enjoy.   Once you’ve done these things and maybe cried a few silent and salty tears of your own… You’ll begin to understand that even when you hurt the hope that you try to give away will always count for something.  Healing brokenness begins with a heart of hope!

Just Keep Running!

At some point during my student teaching experience my cooperating teacher compared becoming a teacher to running a marathon.    He said, “ Getting to the classroom can be hard and can sometimes take a while.”                The analogy made me smile because my sister is an avid runner.   Mom always considered it ironic that she had one  daughter who could run for days and one daughter  who was told she’d never walk.   In high school Lindsey was always recognized for being an accomplished runner and star student. These days she runs half marathons for fun.

 Each time Lindsey runs she sends me a picture of her at the finish line.  The first time she did this I asked Mom why sending me these pictures was   so important to Lindsey.  She responded with words that will forever be engraved in  my heart.  “She says it’s hard for her to explain but that she runs for you Julie!”    Lindsey’s point, she recognizes that it   might be physically difficult for me to run a marathon yet; she’s committed to honoring the strength she sees in me overcoming cerebral palsy!

In two weeks I’ll take my teaching test.   It’s just about that time in the studying process when I’m tired, overwhelmed, and extremely afraid that I might forget all the History I’ve ever learned!     As I turn another   corner in this marathon, I have to admit there have been many days when I wanted to stop running against fear and failure.   This is to say, sometimes, it feels like no matter what I do everyone is ahead of me.   It seems    like  few people  have to run the same distance as me. This feeling  can  get me stuck in   it’s not fair mode.      

  As I walked this morning I continued to reflect on my teaching journey.  My thoughts made me consider something that I was compelled to share.  What if coming in first place during this marathon is different than winning?   Yes, becoming a teacher has been harder and taken much longer than expected but I have grown so much and been supported by so many people!   So, while I’m nervous about turning this corner (Passing this test) I’m really filled with gratitude about how I’ve been overwhelmingly  encouraged to reach this goal.

   

 Honestly, it’s this life long encouragement that INSPIRED me to run toward teaching in the first place. In an earlier blog post, I wrote about the impact of the T.E.L.L  (Teach Encourage Listen Love) message on my life. I believe that people need encouragement but I also think we should all aim to be encouragers.   There is so much strength in running along side of someone as they strive to achieve their greatest goal.

 Keep running…. If you’re headed in the right direction, those who BELIEVE in you will be just around the bend!  

With a Grateful Heart,

Teacher Julie

If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward.”   Martin Luther King