Live...Learn...-Gandhi

Live as if you were to die tomorrow.

Learn as if you were to live forever. 

Mahatma Gandhi

Edmund Burke

 When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle.

Edmund Burke

Be You and Be Strong

There are many things that people say are important in life such as God and Family, others will argue that career is in there, and for some they are right. For those who do not wish to read because I said God that is okay but I will not apologize for having my belief in God as a stronghold and my love for my family to be my priority. I will say that is my right as I grew up in America, the free country, the place where so many seek refuge to be what they want. Sadly, as I have grown older and begun raising my children I have seen so many changes. So many people want to change this place of refuge and as a parent it is scary. I see so many changes that I do not wish to have pushed on others, yet, as a free country these are the things we have learned to accept. It is just disappointing that so much of what is happening in our country is saying we have to accept verses we are permitted to our own beliefs. 

I have and will never push my beliefs onto others but I will never give up on my beliefs for others. Reba McEntire has been quoted to say that to succeed in life you need three things: a wishbone, a backbone, and a funny-bone. She is and will always be right. I have faith that my beliefs and family will help me get through this life no matter the changes. We will dream together, stand strong together, and laugh together and I will not make apologies for who we are and how we live. Yet, I will try to raise my children to raise their children with strong morals and values. Though things in society change, that does not mean we have to alter who we are or our beliefs we do not even have to accept change. It will happen wether we will it or not. We can allow change to burden us or build us up. I choose to allow change to strengthen myself and my loved ones. We will learn from it, just as we have learned from history and the past. We will allow changes, good and bad, to make us stronger individuals. 

I think the less we worry about what others think about us, the easier it is to not worry about them, and to focus on our own needs within our intermediate life and family. As a mother I have learned that I cannot take care of my children if I do not take care of myself, does this mean that I put me first. Well, if we are honest, nope, I don't put me first all the time. I know that I am well, I am fed, clothed, and raised. I know that my moral compass is strong and aligned where it needs to be. So, I do put my kids first. I make sure their needs are taken care of first; when it comes to emotions, I put them first. However, I can do that now because I know who I am and I know I am taken care of and I was entrusted with them so I am going to put them first. I am going to help them reach a time in life where they know who they are, they are fed, housed, clothed, and comfortable and ready to take care of themselves. It is part of the reason I am on this earth. I am here to share what I know with my children, to the best of my ability. I am here to help them become strong members of society. I am currently their protector and I will do all I can do to give them all I know and seek more for them, in hopes that they become even stronger pieces of humanity that I am. 

Moving on or moving forward

Gandhi said it right when he said forgiveness is an attribute of the strong. Explains why sometimes it is so darn hard. We have to learn to forgive those around us who do wrong. Do we have to accept them and their differences or what they have done, no we do not. However, for our own sanity we have to learn to forgive or try our best to forget. It is funny how the mind works though. We tend to remember extremely emotional events, positive or negative. In many cases it is the negative that we reel over. Those are the ones we really should make peace with for our own health. When I have something happen that is even slightly off kilter creating a negative vibe, I run it over in my mind. Do you? We are trying to figure out why, how, and what we could have done. Sadly, those things are passed. We cannot rewind and do a retake. So, it is best to move on. Forget to the degree that it does not cause agita (as my mother called it when I was a child). I do want to suggest, as I always will, do not forget them so much you cannot learn from them. If you are part of the problem, change that and become part of the solution. If you see the problem, help create a solution. Yet, always for your own sake, when you are wronged, forgive. If not for those who wronged you do it for yourself. 

There have been many times I kept my mouth quiet about what my mind it reeling about. I know that I have opinions that differ from others, and as long as my family was not greatly impacted I did not speak of it. Then I realized that if I did not speak, it came back around and did have an impact. So as much as I have said in the past not to worry yourself of things and forgive or forget, I still think that it is important to stand up for what you believe and be proud to share what you know and who you are. This notifies others of differences and solutions so they can either accept or ignore (as I have advised you to do) yet it gets those thoughts out there into the world. The way to move forward is to make sure you are doing what is right in your heart, mind, and soul and then go for it. I have many times realized how hard it is to forgive people, even for the silliest things. When looking back, it has always been worth it to forgive and move on or move forward.

"The Right Place Values You The Right Way"

Know your own worth, you have value and it is visible, others will see it and it will shine brighter after you yourself realize it. 

I read the following articles many times, they all say the same thing a little different. The lesson is still the same. You do have value, we all do. We just need to know it and take charge of our own power. Following your own path, or speaking out can be difficult but refreshing and freeing. Follow any of the links but know their path is the same. Something to think about. 

The Right Place Values You 

Never Stay in a Place Where No One Sees Your Value  

Dont Find Yourself in the Wrong Place

Sometimes, we are in a place where others know we have value and if feels as though we are held back, this happens to many good people. Please know you are not alone and do what you can to remember that you will find your path, it will come and you will get where you want to go. Do not doubt yourself because you are just on a stepping stone, trying to cross or find the fork in the road that leads to where you really want to go. Believe that you have what it takes, you will eventually find your wings. Sometimes things take time, not all birds take flight the first time out of the nest. Just because you can, doesn't always mean that the timing is right. Sometimes the saying that good things come to those who wait, really is true. Sometimes, things are not meant to be exactly as we want or plan or when we want. However, I believe, as you should, that you can follow your dreams and be successful. Life's roads comes with lots of twists and turns, these lessons will make us stronger. I do believe that change is inevitable and necessary, not all change is good, but not all change is bad. It is important to know what path to follow, make sure you are comfortable with your path and move forward with confident strides. 

Dare to be Different, Dare to be You...

There is a country song by Riley Green, not sure of all the words as I have only heard it a few times but the part that stuck was about doing things a little different . To me that is the best part. We should all be able to do things a little different and feel good about it. 

How boring would life be if we were all the same. It is okay to be different, matter of fact, it is a good thing. Be you, do you, be happy. This does not mean I think it's okay to be disrespectful to others, it means that I think we need to respect ourselves and who we are in order to not concern ourselves with what others do differently. It is the way to truly accept or disregard and not allow differences and changes to affect us so much that we are discontented. Sounds like I am saying not to care about others, and as disheartening as it sounds I am not saying do not care but rather do not worry, do not be offended, and do not let other peoples differences bother you. The old saying goes you make your bed you lay in it...I will modify it a tad. You have to worry about you and how you sleep at night. You can not sleep well worrying about other peoples differences and if they do not accept you or you do not accept them. So accept you, what and who you are, and be okay with that and sleep well at night. Let what others do go, do not stress it or allow it to offend you, and sleep well at night. (I by no means am saying to let things you do not believe in go and let them fester, but I am saying that you can only do what you can, so make sure you are still able to lay your head on your pillow at night proud of who you are and sleep well because you know you made good choices in your days.)

Do what you want to do, not just what you can do

If you are a teacher, be a teacher who stands up for yourself. Always be there in every situation and follow your moral compass. I know that teachers will always make a difference in the lives of their students, some more than others. Teachers may touch one soul at a time but they are making a difference across the globe. Be part of that difference. We are teaching children how to read, write, and survive in a world where there are many unknowns. 

I know teachers are necessary, we are here to help make life easier for a child to become a successful part of society. I wish there were more people out there that wanted to fight for teachers and what we do, because it takes a special person to be in a classroom, or to be a teacher. Especially in the public school system and especially when times are failing us. We are judged, we are a mocked, and it will never be fair. If you know this going in, you are a step ahead. 

I did not choose to teach because of the saying, those who can do, and those who can't teach. I know I can!

I can teach. I can help others learn to read. I can help others learn to use mathematical processes. I can help others learn to write. I can teach kindness. I can be kind. I can be patient. I can teach flexibility. I can be a leader to children and adults. I can be a friend. I can be a good listener. I can be respectful. I can teach others how to express themselves. I can teach different forms of art. I can teach others to be respectful. I can teach others to be organized. I can go on...but I wont.

I can do many things and I choose to spend my time sharing my cans to lead by example and help others find the can that they wish to follow in their life. Don't lose heart, know you have worth and keep fighting the good fight. 

Research and Learn...

My sister recently contacted me, she decided she wanted to know who was in her family tree. Ancestry research can really open your eyes. I think its a great place to learn. As Edmund Burke said, you cannot plan the future by the past. However, I think it surely is a place to learn more and possibly help to make more informed decisions into the future. There are so many things we can learn from the past. Educate yourself. I suggest starting right away, there is no time like the present, because the longer we wait the more difficult it is to dig up. I started asking my family years ago and have kept great notes, but sadly those didn't go as far back as I would have liked. So I had to do more digging on my own, what a cool journey though. Edmund Burke also said that those who don't know history are destined to repeat it. We need to learn from the past. I suggest attempting to learn from past mistakes, which I know is very hard to do, unless of course they are your own mistakes. We have taken great strides to learn from the past and try to turn things around. Don't let anyone hold you back from what you want to learn, what you know is right, and what steps you have to take to make a difference. Every small move makes a change in the next morrow (as my son Luke would say). Make the change, be the change, be the positive difference in your own life, which in turn may make you the positive change in the lives of others. 

Decisions, decisions...

Small decisions are made every day, every second really. Some so minor we don't even realize we are making a choice, it's second nature. It is those more detrimental decisions that affect more than just flavor of coffee, or if we turn left on a side road or go straight to drive home. The ones that affect others direction in life that we take more time to consider. Those are the ones that we lose sleep over, or contemplate the pros and cons. I find writing it down really helps. I suggest when you face decisions that create bigger emotions, make/take some notes. It may help you to become more aware of who it will affect and even help you to get sleep at night. Never be afraid of those decision though. No matter what there will be pros and cons to everything, even if it is just what to eat and when.

I chose many different times to go back to school to better myself, gain a different and new understanding. There have always been pros and cons. The only way to feel good about those is to make sure the cons are things you can live with. Never make a decision if you know in your heart it goes against your morals. It will never be worth it. 

I do it a lot...but it seems that it is yet again that time in my life to make a decision. Though I do this often, I know that some decisions have more of an impact than others. I guess it's time to start planning. Yes, I suggest planning because it really can help ease your mind. Yet, I also know that spontaneity is also really amazing for your mind, body, and soul. It is great, sometimes, to just throw caution to the wind and do the unusual or unplanned. Brings a little spark of excitement that all human beings really do need. 

If you have read my past posts you know that my father told me to make sure I was right, then to go ahead...I still feel that this is the best action. Right can mean moral, or just but it can also mean what will make you the happiest.  

M. Alford

~~~~~~

Nobody made a greater mistake than he who did nothing because he could do only a little.

Edmund Burke

Nelson Mandela

Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.