We’ve Got This!

This summer at DENSI15 I helped mark out the uphill route for the 3k run at 11pm. Did I mention it was uphill? Most of the way? Did I mention I wanted to die? Do not worry; I kept most of the complaints to myself. At some point probably halfway through I mentioned to Alison, the official marker, that I did not think I would make it. She turned to me and said with a smile on her face, “We’ve got this.” Obviously she was right. “We’ve got this.” We finished marking the course. She encouraged me when I needed to hear it.

Similarly the gym can be difficult because Jessica works us hard in her Body Blast class, an aerobic circuit class. On the inside I feel like I am dying, and I complain…loudly. On the outside I focus, pay attention, and breathe deeply. At times doing the same exercise for 40 seconds can feel like a lifetime. However, it is difficult to be pessimistic, because Jessica encourages us along the way with shouts of:  “You can do it!” “Halfway there.” “10 more seconds.” “5 more seconds.” Jessica believes in us, and it helps me believe in myself.

Our last circuit is timed with the goal of beating our own time. Yes, we hear others times, but it does not matter. Our time is our standard. Some of the exercises are a little tricky, and boy do we make faces. One time I realized that we need to cheer each other on. We are all on the same journey. Why not support one another? As we run our circuits, we cheer each other on. We can do it; we’ve got this.

As I begin the school year, I am taking what I learned about exercise and am applying it to life.

1. We’ve got this. Together we can do it. 
2. Cheer others on. We are on similar journeys and many people are fighting hidden battles. Your encouragement may be exactly what someone needs to hear.
3. Be your own cheerleader. You’ve got this.

Goals for the New School Year

As a teacher I dedicate 200% of myself to my job, which leaves little time for myself, my family, or sanity. The summer allows me to recover and return to a “normal” life. As soon as I have regained normalcy, school seems to be knocking on the door. I am nervous about starting a new school year, because I know that I turn to survival mode very quickly. Chores, exercise, and fun tend to go by the wayside very quickly. This year I pledge to hold onto normalcy longer by meeting the following goals:

1. Start my mornings off with a devotional. I know that a daily devotional will not solve the world’s problems or prevent problems. However, I know that centering my focus on God is good for my spiritual health. It will help me be mindful of God’s presence.
2. Ninjasize. Need I say more? This includes the gym, walking the girls, and exercising on non-gym days.
3. Have fun. Life is too short to be anxious or uptight. Good thing I am married to a funny man who loves to have fun.

You Are Where You Are Supposed to Be

When I first became a Christian, I was in awe of how God ran the world. I know it sounds cheesy. However, I was able to look at my life and see that “an interruption” to my plan provided an opportunity to talk to another person. I felt more at ease with God’s providence.

As I have grown older, I have lost sight of that. God is still the same. It is me who has drifted away. God has ordained both His plan and our responsibility for our own actions. I am not sure how both exist, but they do.

I was reminded of the beauty of God’s plan at the Discovery Educator Network Summer Institute 2015 that I attended. When planning for unconferences* Steve Dembo stated, “You are where you are supposed to be.” “Each conference session is a success if one person shows up or 50. You are where you are supposed to be. If that conference is not for you, then take your two feet and walk to another conference. If you are miserable, it is your fault.” Wow. What a perfect mixture of knowing you are in the right place or fixing it if you are not.

When I feel anxious, I focus on:  “You are where you are supposed to be.” There is a reason I am supposed to be where I am. Maybe it is to learning something, teaching something, or just be a friend. I also take the time to reflect if there is something I need to change in the moment or for the future.

Do not be anxious. “You are where you are supposed to be.”

*An unconference is a professional development conference/session where people facilitate a conversation about a concern. For example, my unconference session was about alternatives to Power Point and Prezi. I wanted other presentation tool options for myself and my students.