Just a Few More Little Things...

I've noted before that it's the little things on this journey that are meaning a lot to me.  I've had a few more little things happening lately that just feel SO GOOD!!!

Yesterday was filled with those little things, actually.  My friend and I went to a baseball game in D.C....not because I'm a Nats fan...but because I'm a HUGE fan of the band that was playing a free concert after the game!  Instead of driving down to the city, we decided to take the metro, and there began a series of little moments that just totally made my day.

The New Crew...and What They've Taught Me Already!

So, it's been a week!  In the past 10 days, we've survived an earthquake, a hurricane, and the first week of the new school year...which was far more formidable than either of those natural disasters, trust me!  There's a whole new crop of 10 year olds in my classroom these days...and while I'm sure that I'll eventually love them just as much as the 11 year olds I sent to middle school last June, these new friends are really pushing me toward greatness!  Why do I say that?  Because if I'm not great...they'll eat me alive!  They've got that potential.  I can sense it...and working to harness that power they possess and use it for good is going to be a challenge for quite some time.  If you know me, though, you'll know that it's an opportunity that I relish.  Why be good when greatness is within your reach?  Seems silly to settle for less!

Who Do You Think You Are???

I've got a really good intern this year...which is a big blessing!  She's great with the students and seems to be a real natural at teaching.  But what I love most about her is how she listens.  I happened to mention casually that I enjoy collecting quotes, and today she found me a doozy! 

"It's not who you are that holds you back.  It's who you think you're not." ~ Anonymous

First of all, let me say that if I were the one who first spoke this, I'd have claimed credit for it!  Come on Mr. (or Ms.) Anonymous!  This is an amazing quote!  You should have told us who you were so we could thank you!

And let me tell you...this quote is so, so true!!!  Our minds are incredibly powerful things. When we feed ourselves negatively phrased statements, we begin to believe them and live them.

"I'm not good at sticking to a diet." 
 No...you're not.
      "I'm not a runner." 
       No...you're not.
                "I'm not ever going to understand this."
                 No...you're not.
                         "I'm not gonna ever lose this weight."
                          No...you're not.
                                   "I'm not able to walk a mile."
                                    No...you're not.

What we think about ourselves and our abilities...who we are...is powerful.  When you think and say you can't or don't or won't or aren't...then you're right!  Attitude really is everything.  What you think determines what you are.  And what you're not.  What you tell yourself is who you will be.

So who do you think you are?  Do you see your value right here, right now in your present condition? Can you speak it with truth and conviction?  I sure hope so!  I'm still working on all this stuff myself.  But I know this...the more I can speak positivity into my life, the more it becomes who I am. 

It's not who I am that holds me back...it's who I think I'm not.  And really, friends...I'm becoming convinced the more I walk this journey...there's NOTHING I can't do and NO ONE I can't be if I want it badly enough.