An Empty Brown Wall

     I've gone to multiple stores. Searched online databases. Stared at the wall hoping that something, anything would come to my mind. But I've got nothing. Well, I've got a big empty brown wall. It has nothing on it. My couch sits below and above is a wall full of potential. So I decided to sit down and think, "What do I want this wall to say?" (because when you live alone... sometimes inanimate objects have to talk...)

     Isn't that like so many things in life? A blank canvas of potential. So why not set some goals? Figure out what you want "your wall" (and not the Facebook one) to look like. Looking back in a year, what do you want to see? Now's your chance to figure it out. Now, while you have a big blank wall.

     I think that I want my big brown wall (the literal one) to say that I appreciate the people in my life. I want it to invite, welcome, and encourage those who come in. Come to think of it, that's what I want my life to do as well.

     So, as you finish reading this random and brief blog post, think about what you would want your big brown living room wall to say about you? Is that what you want your life to say, too?

"But first, let me take a selfie."

Selfie /n./: an image of oneself taken by oneself using a digital camera especially for posting on social networks (credit: merriam-webster.com)

We live in a society with an abundance of pictures. And if you know me, you know that most of the pictures in my friend circles come from me. I love pictures. I love taking pictures to enjoy the moment. I love having pictures to look back on when I am sad. I love looking at pictures that take you back to that very moment and allow you to instantly remember. Because of all of those things, I have become more and more interested in all of the talk about selfies.

I have heard and read so many articles that hate on selfies. They say things like, "You can manufacture what you look like in a selfie" or "That's not a true picture of you" or "People who take selfies are completely self-absorbed." Now, I am not completely denying that some of those statements are true in certain situations, but rarely do you hear the other side of the selfie debate... 

I think that people are becoming more and more proud of who they are. I remember a time where people would freak out over a bad picture that was posted of them on Facebook and instantly remove it. I don't think that is necessarily the case anymore. I think that with the popularity of selfies growing, we, as a culture, are becoming more aware of what we look like. Some might think that is a bad thing, but rather I think that because you can't go on any social media site without seeing a selfie, we are being made more aware of the differences in the physical look of all human beings. 

And so what if you can pose or angle your head just the right way? By going through the process of finding the "perfect selfie picture" of you, you are observing all facets of you and what makes you unique. When you post the selfie on whichever social media site you happen to be on, you are showing pride in your appearance.

I know what you are thinking, "Katie, have you ever been on snapchat? Those selfies are generally horrible!" Yes, we've all sent the laying in bed, face all scrunched up snapchat. We've sent the "Oh my goodness, I'm exhausted" snapchat. We've sent the "freaking out" snapchat. And let's be honest, we've probably all sent the worst possible picture that we could take, to our closest friend. I think that these selfies are even more important than the "perfect" ones that we post on Facebook and Twitter. We take comfort in the fact that the snap that we send is only on the screen for 4-secs (or thereabouts) but either way, we take the picture. We embrace all sides of us... even the not-so-aesthetically-pleasing sides.

Let's talk about the selfies that are posted as an update in a weight loss/health journey. I say, go for it! Use social media, one of the biggest influences in our culture, to find support. You used to have to go to a gym or meetings to find support, but now let your 1500 Facebook friends help you out!

Selfies that aren't really selfies because they have someone else in it... are just as important in our society. Because a selfie is less formal, people are able to have pictures with people whom might not want to be "in front of the camera." Preserve those memories. Have some fun. Laugh a little at who has the bigger double chin before you retake it! 

We live in a selfie society. So embrace it. Love yourself. And post selfies with pride!

6:45am Phone Call

6:45am... The phone rings. I look at the caller ID and decide to answer it. The first sentence out of my co-worker's mouth goes something like this, "Katie, the biggest lesson a teacher can learn is to be flexible." Mentally I think, "this is never good." Never. However, I decide to continue on with the conversation. As it turns out, both of my third grade counterparts were going to be absent... on the day of a field trip... to Toledo. It was my turn. The girl who has never taken a class on a field trip, and who know approximately 20 names of the 60 students attending the field trip... Panic mode! Except here's the thing... I didn't panic. I just kind of went with it. Weird... I know...

I have been getting a lot of lessons in flexibility lately. After reflecting (probably at 3am when I should have been asleep), I've noticed that the more practice that I get with being flexible, the easier it is to do... at least that's what I can figure. Maybe... just maybe... I might be getting good at this flexibility thing. 

I'm not generally a fan of change, which generally goes hand in hand with flexibility. But lately, I've had so much practice that I think I have just learned to accept things. And I think that's the key. Just acceptance of the fact that something is happening. Something is changing. Now, I'm not saying to surrender every proactive fiber of your being, but rather don't get stuck in the idea that something has to be a certain way. 

Some of you who know me may be thinking, "Katie, you are telling me to not worry about things being a certain way? You are telling me?" These are probably the people who have walked into my room... but as I think about this, in my mind that's something that I can control. I can't necessarily control how my lesson plan is going to go or what outside forces are going to affect my family, but I can control where my purse gets set down at the end of the day or that my bed is made in the morning. 

So that's what I challenge you to do... I challenge you to only control the things that you can... and the rest of the time... just go with the flow. Be flexible!

Moment of Impact

Recently I watched a movie (for those of you who know me this is not a shock in the slightest), but let me tell you, this movie was weird. Weirder than weird. It was one of those movies that makes you think and you have no idea what you are thinking about until three days later. And then it hit me. I should write a blog post about one of the main concepts from the movie in order to organize my thought. So here I will do just that.

Your life is marked by a small number of moments of impact. It is these moments of impact that change our lives, either for the good or the bad. But ultimately, it is those few moments. The main character of the movie continued on to explain that the moments of impact are what is most important. Those are the days you remember and the days you cherish/hate. Those are what "determine" the outcome of your life.

I don't know that I necessarily agree with the main character. If I was defined by the impact moments of my life, I feel that I would be a very shallow person. Based on this theory, you might be a very angry or hurt person. Based on this theory, you could be a lot of things that you aren't.

I like to think that we are defined and changed by the way that we react to these moments of impact. It's our attitude, our thoughts, and our feelings toward the event. Yes, you may have a huge physical change or emotional scar after the moment of impact, but you still get to choose how you respond.

Recently in my classroom of elementary students, we had a discussion about how important it is that we respond to each other with respect and love. I was teaching it to those students and I am preaching it to you. Even if in the situation you are responding to yourself with respect and love, give yourself that much.

So as you may be experiencing, or have recently experienced, a moment of impact, challenge yourself to think and consider what your reaction will be. Will it be of respect and love? Will you choose how it effects your life?

Inspired by: "The Hunger Games"

"The only thing greater than fear is hope." Yes, a cheesy line from The Hunger Games, but it is more than that. It is truly a great piece of wisdom. Not the kind of wisdom found in a fortune cookie, but rather the kind of wisdom that your grandmother passes down to you. It's a solid piece of advice.

I am a scared person. Let's be honest, I am usually a baby. Especially when it comes to the unknown. To overcome this flaw, one coping mechanism that I have learned is to be hopeful. I'm not talking, "I think I am going to win the lottery" hopeful, but "I will come out of this situation a better/stronger person" hopeful. Because when it comes down to it, you are defined by the way that you come out of any given situation.

So, how do I find hope when it seems like all is lost and will never get better? Well, I have developed a few techniques thanks to some awesome people that I have in my life. Here they are listed below:

1. Stop and look at the small things. Notice that a new flower is coming up out of the soil. Notice the mom's love for her child as she hushes the baby and walks out of the meeting. Notice the curiosity of a child as they ask you the 50th question in a row. Stop, look, and appreciate.
 

2. Write it all out. Yep, you've heard me say this before. But it really helps me so that means that it must help everyone, right? (note my sarcasm) But it may help you, you never know. Write a letter to someone you know. Write a letter to yourself to either keep or destroy. Write a thank you note to someone who is supporting you in your tough times. Just write.
 

3. Do something for someone else. Plain and simple. Maybe you can't do much... but I am sure that you can do something. So do it, be selfless and do something. Chances are you will love it.
 

4. Seek God and the little nuggets of wisdom that He has already given to us. Some verses that I like are: Isaiah 41:10; Psalm 34:4; Psalm 28:7. Maybe you have your own, maybe you want to check out mine. Either way, it is one of the strongest sources of hope.
 

Do you have another way that you combat fear and gain hope? Go ahead and write it down in the comments section so that we can all learn how to not be trapped by fear... together!

"And she's... safe!"

In my classroom I use the phrase, "Please be safe" multiple times a day. As I send the kids off at the end of the day, I say, "Have a safe and wonderful afternoon!" But recently, I started to think about what I was actually saying. Safety. What a huge concept. But what an important and life changing concept. Every human, whether they know it, craves safety. Safety both physically and emotionally. 

I think that we seek places and people that will allow us to be safe. A few weeks ago, I returned to a place that I love and as soon as I drove onto the property, I instantly felt a safe peace. When I am angry or hurt what do I do? I find those certain people in my life. The safe ones. The ones that I know won't judge or get angry (unless it is anger out of love). I bet you do the same thing.

 

The first tier of Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs is safety. I never really realized how big of a deal it is to feel safe. Maybe for you to realize, you need to think of the times you felt unsafe. Was it at night when you were walking to your car in the empty parking lot? Was it with a significant other or friend who didn't realize how important of a person you were? See, safety is important.

So why on earth, wouldn't we wish safety upon everyone? Why wouldn't we try and try to make it so that were someone's safe person? Someone's safe place? I challenge you, to make sure that you let those around you know that you are someone they can talk to, someone that they can be around, somewhere where they can go. And maybe, throughout this entire post, you have been thinking of a certain person or place where you feel safe... let that person know that they are your safety in life. Thank them for working to make and keep it that way.

Love Letters Are Magical

     What if you picked up a pen and paper, and wrote exactly what you wanted someone to say to you? What if you allowed yourself to entertain the thoughts that you wanted to hear? Maybe it is for someone to say, "It's ok to be you." Maybe it is someone to tell you that not knowing is ok. Maybe you simply need to hear that you are loved.

     That's part of the mission of moreloveletters.com. Now, I don't want this to turn into an advertisement or a commercial for their site, but rather an explanation of a concept that I think is amazing (I just want to give them the credit for the concept). 

     I am a words kind of person. When I need to say something, it is best if I write it. So that's what I do! I write letters. I simply write to a random stranger what I needed to hear that day. And let me tell you, it is its own kind of therapy. Something about seeing the magical words written in black and white. Reading them (though I cognitively know I have written them) helps me to not feel so alone.

     So, grab your fancy stationary (or a note-card or lined paper works too) and write a love letter! When you have composed your letter, simply leave it somewhere with a note on the outside that says "To whomever finds this"! And spread some love in this crazy world!