Category Wise Words

A Daily Sign

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A Daily Sign

Daily Sign.jpg

A few years ago my very good friend Erica gave me a sign that would provide what I needed to get going each day. I LOVE this sign!

Most of the time the sign simply stands on my dresser as decoration but there are days when I stop and rearrange the tags based on the challenges that my day holds. Sometimes I select the tags based on what I believe will help my husband through his day. Other times my children enjoy adding the tags they think we need.

There is something novel about the idea of giving yourself what you need for the day. As the sign reads, “Take what you need today,” I think it would be helpful if we each started our daily journey with the emotional tags we might need.

I know not everyone can have a cool tag sign like mine, but everyone can start each morning or job by taking a moment and in your heart and mind prepare yourself with courage, care, creativity, strength, patience, peace, or whatever virtue you need.  Continue reading “A Daily Sign” →

“I understand” – Powerful!

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“I understand” – Powerful!

I understand

Hearing the words “I understand” from my child’s principal was so comforting to me. She has no clue how much power she shared in those two words.

After being nominated to serve on next year’s school board, I had to call her and graciously say, “Thank you, but not at this time.” I simply could not in good conscience accept the position.

I am suffering from a major case of too-much-to-do on top of a sever lack of I-don’t-know-what-is-coming-next, and taking on this new duty would not be fair to the school or me.

Volunteering is something I am good at and enjoy very much, but I just had to say no to someone who I really admire and don’t want to let down.

Her empathy was the cure to the ailing guilt that had been plaguing me. As a teacher, mother, and wife, she related to where I was coming from and assured me that she understood. Continue reading ““I understand” – Powerful!” →

The defintion of “fine folks”

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The definition of “fine folks”

fine folk definition

Recently our school carried out the annual battery of standardized tests. My colleague and friend Nicole sent me emails, as the tests were being conducted, to check on my emotional and mental state. Testing is stressful for teachers!

Long ago I decided to not let standardized tests get me too worked up. Yes, I worry about them and fret about the results, but I do not let anxiety overwhelm me. It only adds to the duress of my students. I simply express faith in their abilities and confidence in my coverage of all necessary topics to prepare for those evaluations.

I messaged back to Nicole that I had done my best and I was going to let God and my students do the rest. Her reply brought tears to my eyes and a swelling of my heart.

Nicole told me that I fit the definition of “fine folk” because I did the best I could with what I had. I know this sounds like a derogatory statement towards my students, but it was really a literary allusion of the greatest magnitude. fine folk book definition

Nicole and I have both taught and LOVE the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, and in Chapter 13 Scout states her belief that fine folks are people who do the best they can with what they have, no matter their race, gender, or religion. Scout’s immeasurable sense of justice has always appealed to me, and the fact that Nicole believed I was living up to that level of civility was amazing to me.

Today I want to challenge others to fulfill the definition of “fine folks” in their lives. Use what you have to the fullest of your abilities and treat all those you encounter as if they too are “fine folk.”

Appreciate all that is “fine” in your world and only the best will show itself to you in each experience and encounter.

Thank you, Nicole, for believing in me. You, too, are the finest of folk!

By: Melanie A. Peters

 

The Most Happiest = Prettiest – Wise Words Wednesday

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The Most Happiest = Prettiest

The Prettiest Girls

Audrey Hepburn has become one of my idols because of her grace and candor. Her statement about the prettiest girls rings home for me this week. I have spoken to a number of my students, colleagues, my daughter, and myself about the benefits of being happy lately.

It is so true that the most attractive people do seem to be the happiest.

Find happiness in your life today and you will find beauty.

By: Melanie A. Peters

“Don’t wish away your days” – Wise Words Wednesday

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“The trick to enjoy life. Don’t wish away your days waiting for better ones ahead. The grand and the simple, they are equally wonderful.” – Marjorie Pay Hinckley

Don't wish away your days

As the school year winds down, students start suffering from severe senioritis.

(Senioritis n: student’s innate desire to be a graduating senior)

Every day I find myself saying, “Don’t wish your days away.” My students just shrug me off or rudely comment back (in most cases) and do not realize that I speak from experience. I was a terrible teenager. My teen angst was almost completely self-imposed and I had no clue why I was in such a hurry to get out of high school but I was dead set on getting out of that place and away from everything that had to it. I wish I could have some of those times back and dedicate a much more positive outlook on what life had to offer. I would have gotten so much more out of high school and its lessons.

As a mom of young children, I often have to remind myself to not wish away these days. My babies are only young once.

If you are a student, parent, teacher, or struggling professional, do not wish your days away. Enjoy the simple things that are available to you now and embrace the experiences that present themselves daily.

Don’t wish your days away. You can’t get them back!

Put your energy into appreciating the now, store your cherished moments in your heart, and you will find that your purpose and intentions will have a much grander meaning.

By: Melanie A. Peters

 

Don’t let Your Arms Cross Your Body (a running post – sort of)

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“Don’t let your arms cross your body.” – Marcus Bridges

DSC_0018.JPG

As stated in a previous post, I have gone through periods in my life where I dedicated my energy to running. I like running. I am ok at it. I would like to be good at it.

It is common in the winter months to see people running through the hallways of our school. I was one of those people running in the halls because it was too darn cold to run outside. My school has an amazing cross country and track coach by the name of Marcus Bridges. He coaches even when it’s too darn cold outside.

As Coach Bridges was shouting out encouragement and advice to his runners, he shouted out to me one day, “Don’t let your arms cross your body.” Continue reading “Don’t let Your Arms Cross Your Body (a running post – sort of)” →

You’ve Always had the Power, my dear

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You’ve always had the power, my dear.

You have always had the power

“You’ve always had the power, my dear; you just had to learn it for yourself.” – Glenda (“Wizard of Oz”)

Change is HARD.

We all find ourselves in situations where change must occur, but we also find that change is the hardest part of moving past our circumstances.

For the last few years I have found myself in a state of constant frustration. Something had to give or my frustration was going to get the better of me. I was either going to melt down or experience an epic fail. With the support of my husband and closest confidants, I made the ultimate decision that I have to step away from full-time teaching. Continue reading “You’ve Always had the Power, my dear” →

Growin’ Green Grass

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Growin’ Green Grass

“The grass is greener where you water it.”

Growin Green Grass (5)1.jpg

As the perpetual optimist, this quote is ideal for my blogging pursuits, but it also makes me think of the not-so-green times.

Yes, happiness rained down equals greater (a.k.a. greener) times but what about the times when tears rain down? Or when the fertilizer gets too deep?

“The grass is greener where you water it.”

Dance in the rain or say a prayer of thanksgiving for the multitude of poo. The rain and refuse serve as perfect precipitation for appreciation of the good times. Let your happiness be found in memories and knowing that opportunities to get past your current situation are there to bring you cheer.

So so in the words of JoDee Messina, “Bring on the rain.”

“The grass is greener where you water it.”

By: Melanie A. Peters

 

 

Quote Challenge – Day #3

Intentergy 2 Comments

Literature is the ultimate tool (second only to experience) in teaching lessons. This quote from Professor Dumbledore hangs in my classroom for everyone to see. I hope it adds light to your day.

Quote Challenge Day 3

Thank you, A Nenes Life, for giving me this Quote Challenge.

Rules: If you accept the challenge, post 1-3 quotes for three days and nominate three other wonderfully talented bloggers to the challenge as well.  Today I’d like to see if the following three bloggers will participate.

Asoneoncesaid

Trombone_K01

Philosophical Epiphany

 

Quote Challenge – Day #2

Intentergy 5 Comments

Disney films have so much to teach us. It is the simplest messages that have the greatest impact, but I really relate to old Rafiki and his walking stick philosophy.

Quote Challenge Day 2

Thank you, A Nenes Life, for giving me this Quote Challenge.

Rules: If you accept the challenge, post 1-3 quotes for three days and nominate three other wonderfully talented bloggers to the challenge as well.  Today I’d like to see if the following three bloggers will participate.

Dreams Come True

Possibility Provider

Gary