A new year and a new blog! A little later than I had hoped to write my first blog for this year, but oh well! :) In years past, when I've only had my journal to write in, I always reflect on the last year and think about what I want to accomplish in the new year. I always write in my journal at this time of year, as many other people may do, and often make lists of different things, so that is what I will do here. I feel like I've learned a lot this year, about myself, about people, and about life in general. But I am also realizing that the older I get the less I really know. Here are five things that have really rang true to me this year:
1. The best investment in life are people.
Being around those that I love is the best way I can think to my spend time. People are my hobby. After I am done spending time helping people, hanging out with people, or talking with people, I feel so much better about all of my worries. I remember my Grandma Re loving this too, and her saying that she thought it was so sad that she wouldn't be able to meet all of the wonderful people in the world. I've thought about this many times this year, and I now can understand what she was saying. At school, I love that I have lunch and planning together in the middle of the day because it allows me to reconnect with my friends, and especially on challenging days, I find that I really need this support. And my job is exactly this: investing in people. Despite my many days of continuous frustration, I do believe in the end that through my job I AM making a difference in these children's lives. I am very thankful that I am able to be in a occupation that allows me to do this too.
2. Everyone deserves common decencies.
I strongly believe this, no matter how annoying or irritating someone can be, they deserve kindness and someone to try to understand them. The kids I teach often have tough home lives, and therefore may not know how to really talk to others or give and show respect. Again, I feel this is part of my job. I also believe, and something I try to model and practice everyday, is that no matter what is happening in my life, I cannot allow that to effect how I treat others. There have been times this year with people I truly care about who are having hard times, but then they act out their frustrations on those that care about them the most. It's the opposite of what you would expect them to do, but alas, it is what they do. 3. Take every chance you have to make memories with those that you love and that love you.
No matter what it costs financially or emotionally or logistically, I always try do whatever I can to make memories with those that I love. And thinking back about the past 10 years or so of my life, I am so glad that I have lived by this. I've been able to travel and do many "once in a lifetime" things, and wouldn't have done it any other way. I have had a wonderful life so far, and have had the opportunity to do so much already. I can't wait to see what the next 10 year bring - probably many more adventures!
4. Taking time for myself makes me a much happier - and nicer - person to be around!
Yep, this is totally true. Though I have much to learn in this area, I feel I have grown in understanding the importance of alone time and doing taking time for me, whether it be sitting on the couch, reading a book, taking a walk/jog, or cooking, it helps me refocus and rejuvenate for what's next.
We've lived in our house for about a year and a half now, and I find myself truly enjoying those simple things about life, that may be characterized as "domestic". I love having a garden and working in the yard, cooking dinner and baking, making our house a home, cleaning and organizing, and crafting. Oh how I love crafting! And as I see some of my beautiful friends have babies of their own, it reminds me of how much I've always wanted to be a mom, a stay-at-home-mom. I hope that will come sometime soon for me, but I still have a few "ventures" that I want to partake in first. :)
So though these things might not be life-changing for most, to me these are big things I've learned this year. And I am so glad I did.
Now, here are the things that I hope to try to do better or accomplish in this next year.
1. Lose weight and get healthier!I am planning on running a 5K leg in the OKC Memorial Marathon relay in May. I have NEVER EVER been a runner, but I am learning how to enjoy it! In the past year, I have also noticed more and more the foods and activities that make me feel awful, and that I need to stay away from them. I have a certain weight and size in my head that I want to be, but really what's important is that I continue to eat healthier and exercise regularly. And when I do that, I feel so much better about me, and that is really my goal.
2. Become a tougher cookie at school.
My frustrations this year have mostly centered around this; I am a third year teacher but find myself making the same 1st year teacher mistakes. And that is SO totally frustrating to me! I don't enjoy being mean to kids or getting on to them when they're doing something wrong, and I think I'm doing them a favor by "slapping them on the wrist" by giving them "a talking to" and giving them "one more chance", but I realize that I give too many chances, and then they learn they can walk all over me! ARGH! So, I am doing better, but I must continue to use those Super Nanny rules: warning 1st, then follow through with punishment. Let that be my mantra when a student starts to push the limits....
3. Do more things I love!
I work hard, so I must learn to play hard too...I want to do more things I love, like I did today on a "snow day" - sleep, read, watch Rachel Ray, upload pictures, dinner with friends, grocery shopping, and write this blog. Maybe I should have vacuumed, cleaned, or done work for school, but I did not, I just enjoyed my day. :)4. Money = pay off debt, save more, spend less
If I want to be a stay-at-home-mom, I really need to do this! So here's to another year of getting rid of all that darn debt! I hope to get a job of some sort this summer, and maybe even get to tutor. We'll see what happens...
5. Spend more time with people I love.
Though I called people my "hobby" earlier, there are still many people I don't see often enough or spend enough time with. So I want to do that more. And continue taking every moment I can to make memories with them.
Well, goodness, that was a lot to say! If you read this whole thing, thank you! Now I'm off to bed! Goodnight dear friends!
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