Dead Man Walking

I can remember a time in life when I thought I could numb myself to the pains of this world. I have a strong hermit gene that I constantly have to fight against. I prefer to stay at home over anything else. Being in my safe four walls where I command the comings and goings was definitely my first preference. Clubs, bars, even small sporting events in this area didn't excite me. My financial issues made me just want to focus on going to work, paying bills, sleep, and repeat. I saw no true joy in life, just a mediocre existence of repetition. Work, pay bills, sleep, repeat... with being drawn into other people's issues helping to break up the monotony just a little. The sad part was I was willing to live with that existence. Emphasis on "existence" because I was not really living.

Honestly I was just a "dead man walking". People around me couldn't tell it. I functioned at work, gave my best efforts, and kept it moving. I functioned at home, paid bills, help to take care of my mother, and kept it moving. Around family I gathered, conversed, enjoyed that time, and kept it moving. Yet, inside I was stagnate, emotionally unmoved, and uninspired. So how did I get out of that death trap?

Here are a few things I learned to do that took me from merely existing to be determined to enjoy my life.

Great Leaders Lead By Example

Today we throw the term “leader” around quite haphazardly. Some who have been bestowed this honorabletitle actually haven’t yet paid the dues to deserve it. If you have no clue what I am talking about or names/faces started flashing in your mind then you definitely should read on.

Leaders are people who realize that the best way to lead is by example. Whatever yourexpectations are for your team, comes from your experience in achieving that milestone and your persistence in making it to the next level. Take teaching for example. I encouraged students for years to read and write through their summer break. I preached on why it was important and encouraged them to continue to hone and develop those skills even during their vacation time. If they wanted to continue to advance and be ready for the next school year they couldn't lose ground. Summer was not an excuse to slack off!

Relationship Web

I absolutely love seeing comments on the internet that single people have no right to talk about relationships. I mean how could someone who is not in a committed relationship even comment on how to have a good relationship. Of course I am being sarcastic. People seem to have tunnel vision when it comes to relationships. It’s constantly defined as a bond between a loved and his/her beloved. That’s still not clear. It’s constantly defined as two strangers who come together and overcome the challenges of two becoming one in mind, body, soul, and spirit. Honestly that’s only one of the many relationships you will experience in life, and yes, a single person would not be able to comment or give advice on that union.

 On the other hand there are many other relationships that we become involved in before the “coupe de gras”.  One thing this single person has learned is that preparation for the union to my beloved is practiced through the unions I create every day with the people around me. From my God, to my family, to my coworkers, to my boss, I am intertwined in various relationships that function in very distinct areas on very different levels. Each relationship has taught me a lesson about being connected to others.

So here are five things I’ve learned about being a good” partner” in any relationship I am involved in:

Stirring Up Your Gifts

It is so easy to stay motivated when you have people cheering you on, but what about those times in life when the crowd is silenced or not particularly concerned with what you feel is an important plight? This is the most pivotal point when it comes to accessing your goals. You have to know how to motivate yourself, or stir up your gifts. It’s not the job of the crowd to propel you towards your dreams, honestly most of your audience will not jump on the bandwagon until you’re almost about to cross the finish line. Which means it is very important that you believe in yourself and are able to motivate yourself from the beginning to the end.

Here are five things I’ve learned about staying motivated to achieve goals.

The Nation Mourns

This past week was one of those really long weeks that I couldn't wait to end. Every morning after Monday felt like it should've been Friday. I was eagerly awaiting a countdown to winter-break, and Friday would bring us so much closer!

When Friday finally got here, so did news of a very tragic event in Newtown, Connecticut. I am not a parent yet, but as an auntie, an older cousin, a human, the news was a very hard pill to swallow without tears falling. As an elementary school teacher, my heart ached even more.

I lift up in prayers the families of Sandy Hook Elementary who have experienced great loss during this tragic event. I thank God for the faculty and staff members who became a hedge of protection for students that day and helped to save lives, even at the cost of losing their own. The world is shocked by these acts, but fellow educators realize our love for our students and passion for their wellbeing would warrant nothing less. We are their protectors when danger lifts its head on our watch. God bless all of the families of these heroes that day.

I also lift up in prayers families who have experienced a loss in any other tragic events long past or recent past, televised or not. I can only imagine seeing what unfolded Friday brings back memories of your own pain. I also salute the New York Football Giants, New York Jets, New England Patriots, and other organizations for taking steps to honor students and teachers of Sandy Hook Elementary School during week 15 NFL games.

A very hard reminder that nothing is more important than the people who are important to us. We must take time to value each other's presence regardless how hectic life may become. The stories that are being told of what teachers did to calm and comfort students are amazing. They spoke encouragement and peace in the midst of turmoil and saved lives.

May we work to find a resolution to the various problems that cause some people to be so consumed by darkness that they don't savor the precious gift of life.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Are You Willing to Pay the Cost?

One of the shows I love watching on HGTV is "The Property Brothers". On this show twin brothers, Drew and Jonathan Scott, try to help future homeowners find the home of their dreams. They first find a home that has everything the buyer wants on their list. They take the buyers to the property, walk them around it , and "wows" them. Everything they want is wrappped up in one pretty little or big package. Then the brothers hit them with the bottom line, the cost. This is where the buyers get the gut check, and all of them, after hearing the price, look as though they were sucker punched, blindsided, hoodwinked... you get my drift. Then the brothers go on to explain that they can help the buyers get exactly what they want if they look at taking another approach to getting it. Next, the two brothers do their thing in finding properties that can be restored and turned into their buyer's dream home. At the end of the show you have happy buyers thanking the brothers for a job well done and a home that exceeded their expectations. Isn't that just like life?

Go For The Gold

I am very proud of all of our Olympic athletes who are representing the United States of America in London. Their years of discipline, commitment, and dedication to their sporting events are inspiring! It's also amazing to see the excitement that builds for the Olympics and championship games in various sports. We position ourselves in front of the television for hours, if we aren't lucky enough to be front and center at the event, and coach our teams or chosen individuals to greatness. We feel the intensity of that moment right there on the sofa or in our favorite chair! We share the beaming sense of pride in their victory and are quick to rationalize what their shortcomings were if they were defeated. It is so easy to be a Monday morning quarterback, to look from the outside and criticize critique others.