I double dog dare you.
Alright, listen. I struggled a bit with whether or not to post this entry. I didn't want you to think I was being selfish or self-absorbed or narcissistic or whatever. But I decided this is something I really need to do, so without further ado...
One of the reasons 2008 was such a difficult year is that I was incredibly hard on myself. In learning more about me, I had to take an honest look at some rather dark, unappealing places in myself. I went to those places where I was angry, or judgmental, or scared out of my mind. I tried to love those pieces of myself, and sometimes I succeeded; sometimes I didn't.
I know that as humans, we are all of it- the up, the down, the fat, the skinny, the angry, the happy, the accepting, the judgmental, the unconditionally loving, the terrified. I spent the last year seeking out the ugliest parts of myself and letting them teach me what I need to know.
One piece was missing. I didn't seek out the good.
As a kindergarten teacher, it is my job to find what is best in every child and show it to them so that they learn to believe in themselves. It is my job to look at the child who is misbehaving or not learning and find what is unique and perfect in them. At parent/teacher conferences, I always start the conversation by focusing on the child's strengths. Why then, do I not do that for myself?
I am convinced 2009 is going to be joyful, so I am going to have to do things a bit differently. For starters, I have made a list of 50 (yes, 50!) things I am good at doing (or being), both big and small. This was tough. If you had asked me to list 50 things I would change in myself, I would have put pen to paper and not stopped writing for about ten minutes. This took some real thought, and it meant being willing to be embarrassed at showing all of you the good in me. (Strange, huh?)
So this, my friends, is me tooting my own horn.
I am good at...
1. sharing soul stories with friends
2. finding the perfect gift (especially for Tara and Dad)
3. creating a fun, inviting, colorful classroom
4. teaching kindergarten
5. making unique connections with every family in my class
6. getting funding for classroom materials (4 grants funded in 4 months! Woohoo!)
7. cooking delicious homemade soups
8. driving
9. spelling
10. reading
11. finding common ground
12. seeing the good in others
13. writing resumes (for myself and others)
14. questioning false beliefs
15. making people laugh
16. storytelling
17. making children's books come alive with read-alouds (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is my specialty)
18. learning (about myself, educating children, the world)
19. typing fast (comes from the days of having to check people into the ER quickly)
20. seeing the humor in any situation (especially horrific dates)
21. honesty with myself and others
22. dreaming big (ITALY!!!)
23. planning trips
24. kissing (well, it's true!) ;-)
25. helping children learn appropriate behaviors and self-control
26. being grateful (LOVE to write gratitude lists)
27. challenging myself
28. having a very diverse group of close friends
29. creating romance
30. keeping a childlike sense of joy and wonder
31. lesson planning
32. taking time out for myself
33. appreciating nature
34. getting around new places
35. paying my bills on time
36. writing
37. remembering names, numbers, and song lyrics
38. writing letters to those people I love
39. winning word games (Wheel of Fortune or Mad Gab? Bring it on.)
40. forgiving
41. finding what is true for me without making someone else wrong
42. bringing people together
43. sharing
44. encouraging fellow teachers
45. remaining committed to my own growth
46. saying no to relationships (specifically, men) that pull me away from who I really am
47. remembering sign language even though I don't use it daily
48. taking responsibility for my part
49. caring for children
50. loving unconditionally
Now, I am challenging you. Let's make that a dare. I dare you to find 50 things you are good at- no matter how big or small. Maybe you are amazing at wrapping gifts. Can you make the perfect piece of toast? Do tell! E-mail your list to me at blossomingsoul (at) hotmail (dot) com. I will share it here if you want, or it can be our little secret.
Tomorrow, I will be adding a fun twist. Stay tuned for more, and in the meantime, pat yourself on the back.
Love to all!
One of the reasons 2008 was such a difficult year is that I was incredibly hard on myself. In learning more about me, I had to take an honest look at some rather dark, unappealing places in myself. I went to those places where I was angry, or judgmental, or scared out of my mind. I tried to love those pieces of myself, and sometimes I succeeded; sometimes I didn't.
I know that as humans, we are all of it- the up, the down, the fat, the skinny, the angry, the happy, the accepting, the judgmental, the unconditionally loving, the terrified. I spent the last year seeking out the ugliest parts of myself and letting them teach me what I need to know.
One piece was missing. I didn't seek out the good.
As a kindergarten teacher, it is my job to find what is best in every child and show it to them so that they learn to believe in themselves. It is my job to look at the child who is misbehaving or not learning and find what is unique and perfect in them. At parent/teacher conferences, I always start the conversation by focusing on the child's strengths. Why then, do I not do that for myself?
I am convinced 2009 is going to be joyful, so I am going to have to do things a bit differently. For starters, I have made a list of 50 (yes, 50!) things I am good at doing (or being), both big and small. This was tough. If you had asked me to list 50 things I would change in myself, I would have put pen to paper and not stopped writing for about ten minutes. This took some real thought, and it meant being willing to be embarrassed at showing all of you the good in me. (Strange, huh?)
So this, my friends, is me tooting my own horn.
I am good at...
1. sharing soul stories with friends
2. finding the perfect gift (especially for Tara and Dad)
3. creating a fun, inviting, colorful classroom
4. teaching kindergarten
5. making unique connections with every family in my class
6. getting funding for classroom materials (4 grants funded in 4 months! Woohoo!)
7. cooking delicious homemade soups
8. driving
9. spelling
10. reading
11. finding common ground
12. seeing the good in others
13. writing resumes (for myself and others)
14. questioning false beliefs
15. making people laugh
16. storytelling
17. making children's books come alive with read-alouds (Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus is my specialty)
18. learning (about myself, educating children, the world)
19. typing fast (comes from the days of having to check people into the ER quickly)
20. seeing the humor in any situation (especially horrific dates)
21. honesty with myself and others
22. dreaming big (ITALY!!!)
23. planning trips
24. kissing (well, it's true!) ;-)
25. helping children learn appropriate behaviors and self-control
26. being grateful (LOVE to write gratitude lists)
27. challenging myself
28. having a very diverse group of close friends
29. creating romance
30. keeping a childlike sense of joy and wonder
31. lesson planning
32. taking time out for myself
33. appreciating nature
34. getting around new places
35. paying my bills on time
36. writing
37. remembering names, numbers, and song lyrics
38. writing letters to those people I love
39. winning word games (Wheel of Fortune or Mad Gab? Bring it on.)
40. forgiving
41. finding what is true for me without making someone else wrong
42. bringing people together
43. sharing
44. encouraging fellow teachers
45. remaining committed to my own growth
46. saying no to relationships (specifically, men) that pull me away from who I really am
47. remembering sign language even though I don't use it daily
48. taking responsibility for my part
49. caring for children
50. loving unconditionally
Now, I am challenging you. Let's make that a dare. I dare you to find 50 things you are good at- no matter how big or small. Maybe you are amazing at wrapping gifts. Can you make the perfect piece of toast? Do tell! E-mail your list to me at blossomingsoul (at) hotmail (dot) com. I will share it here if you want, or it can be our little secret.
Tomorrow, I will be adding a fun twist. Stay tuned for more, and in the meantime, pat yourself on the back.
Love to all!
posted by BlossomingSoul at
2:11 PM
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