Every day is an opportunity to learn. Sometimes we take advantage of that opportunity. And, sometimes we don't even notice that we did.
In the last 32 years, I've learned a LOT, though I didn't always realize it. I'm going to strive to pay more attention to what happens to me each day, in the hopes that I will notice how much more I'm learning.
Some of the things I've learned...
There are still good people in this world, that care more about others and less about themselves.
Sometimes, having someone to just "be" there for you is more important than what they can "do" or "buy" for you. By all means, appreciate what people "do" for you, but help them realize that it's not the "doing for" that means anything to you, it's the "being there."
No matter how much you think you've "survived" an experience (good or bad) in your life, it still affects you. And the longer you ignore how you really feel about it, the harder it is to get past. And if you continue to ignore it, overcoming may become impossible.
Sometimes things that happen to you SCARE you. And, no matter how belittled others make you feel about the fact that you're SCARED, you still have every right to have that panic attack.
It's okay to be angry. Just remember to direct the anger to the right place.
Crying can be cleansing. It's okay if you need to sit down and quietly let tears fall. It's okay if you need to ball up and sob. Either way, let those tears wash away the pain or fear or anxiety or anger, or whatever else emotion, you are feeling.
The best of intentions do not guarantee success.
Trust, once destroyed, is not easily repaired.
Jealousy will eat you alive, almost literally.
Social Media is good.
Social Media is bad.
What did you learn today?
Sunday, October 5, 2014
Friday, October 3, 2014
Social Media as a Clothesline
social media
n. websites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts.
clothesline
n. a strong, narrow rope, cord, wire, etc., usually stretched between two poles, posts, or buildings, on which clean laundry is hung to dry.
emphasis
n. special stress laid upon, or importance attached to, anything.
In the definition of the word, clothesline, above, using bold, highlighted, italics, I have placed emphasis on the word clean.
Many of us use our social media outlets - to include blogs like this one! - to express our feelings (both good and bad) about certain topics. We do this in a multitude of ways.
Perhaps it is a rant posted in haste as a tweet on Twitter or a status on Facebook.
Perhaps it is our opinion of Adam Levine's blond hair; or our glee when he went back to dark hair.
Perhaps it is our thoughts on the results we got on one of those silly quizzes.
Perhaps we share links to posts, articles and blogs that we find relatable.(I recently did this, and I can't figure out how to link to just that post on Facebook, but I think I'm going to blog that one because it still seems important to me, even now, so watch for that post.)
Perhaps we share memes that are meaningful to us or relative to our relationships or emotions.
And then, sometimes, we just get downright nasty. And that, my friends, is where I have a problem.
If you have a problem with someone, talk to that person. Or, if you don't think you can just yet (I know, sometimes you have to get to a "place" where you can talk to them out of love instead of hurt or anger...and sometimes that takes YEARS, and sometimes when that place comes, the thing you were so bent out of shape about doesn't even matter anymore), vent your frustrations to your spouse, mom, dad or best friend. But using social media to air your dirty laundry is a bad idea, all the way around. Some things just are meant for public viewing; everything has its place - like yoga pants.
You might use social media as a clothesline, but remember that clotheslines are intended for clean laundry.
n. websites and other online means of communication that are used by large groups of people to share information and to develop social and professional contacts.
clothesline
n. a strong, narrow rope, cord, wire, etc., usually stretched between two poles, posts, or buildings, on which clean laundry is hung to dry.
emphasis
n. special stress laid upon, or importance attached to, anything.
In the definition of the word, clothesline, above, using bold, highlighted, italics, I have placed emphasis on the word clean.
Many of us use our social media outlets - to include blogs like this one! - to express our feelings (both good and bad) about certain topics. We do this in a multitude of ways.
Perhaps it is a rant posted in haste as a tweet on Twitter or a status on Facebook.
Perhaps it is our opinion of Adam Levine's blond hair; or our glee when he went back to dark hair.
Perhaps it is our thoughts on the results we got on one of those silly quizzes.
Perhaps we share links to posts, articles and blogs that we find relatable.(I recently did this, and I can't figure out how to link to just that post on Facebook, but I think I'm going to blog that one because it still seems important to me, even now, so watch for that post.)
Perhaps we share memes that are meaningful to us or relative to our relationships or emotions.
And then, sometimes, we just get downright nasty. And that, my friends, is where I have a problem.
If you have a problem with someone, talk to that person. Or, if you don't think you can just yet (I know, sometimes you have to get to a "place" where you can talk to them out of love instead of hurt or anger...and sometimes that takes YEARS, and sometimes when that place comes, the thing you were so bent out of shape about doesn't even matter anymore), vent your frustrations to your spouse, mom, dad or best friend. But using social media to air your dirty laundry is a bad idea, all the way around. Some things just are meant for public viewing; everything has its place - like yoga pants.
You might use social media as a clothesline, but remember that clotheslines are intended for clean laundry.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Adventures in Kindergarten - Month 1
Gentry Primary School. Ugh.
Buies Creek Elementary School. Yay!
But, how? Ahh...school reassignment request. APPROVED!
We finally got the approval that Levi would be accepted to Buies Creek Elementary School despite that it's outside of our home "district". We were so excited. He would be attending a good school.
We went to assessment in late August. NIGHTMARE. Levi rebelled. Badly. It was probably a sign. I ignored it.
School started on September 3 for Levi. He both loves and hates it. He hates that there's no free time & no center-based play. He loves learning and is truly learning a LOT despite his difficulty settling in.
So, we're a month into school now. He is doing better but still struggling a little to get used to the new routines. His progress report indicated he was right where they expect him to be ("M - Making progress towards grade-level proficiency"). His handwriting is improving, his reading skills are developing and he's intrigued by math. He still hates the routine. With time, I think he will adjust; OCD makes change hard for him.
Be in prayer for him as he continues on this journey.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." ~ Numbers 6:24-26
Buies Creek Elementary School. Yay!
But, how? Ahh...school reassignment request. APPROVED!
We finally got the approval that Levi would be accepted to Buies Creek Elementary School despite that it's outside of our home "district". We were so excited. He would be attending a good school.
We went to assessment in late August. NIGHTMARE. Levi rebelled. Badly. It was probably a sign. I ignored it.
School started on September 3 for Levi. He both loves and hates it. He hates that there's no free time & no center-based play. He loves learning and is truly learning a LOT despite his difficulty settling in.
So, we're a month into school now. He is doing better but still struggling a little to get used to the new routines. His progress report indicated he was right where they expect him to be ("M - Making progress towards grade-level proficiency"). His handwriting is improving, his reading skills are developing and he's intrigued by math. He still hates the routine. With time, I think he will adjust; OCD makes change hard for him.
Be in prayer for him as he continues on this journey.
"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace." ~ Numbers 6:24-26
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