Week 3: Inspirations and Influences

Well, I gotta think about this one a bit.  I wrote a whole post out and then realized it doesn't fit this week's topic!  Saved for another day, I suppose......

Anyway, inspirations and influences is the topic of the week.  Inspirations and influences I have plenty.

Inspirations and influences..... this may sound a little funny, but I am often so inspired by my students.  I mean, some of these kids, not even teens, have experienced so much in their short lives.

Just this week I visited a student in the hospital with a new cancer diagnosis.  A few weeks ago I was talking to a student with a very, very severe case of something similar to cystic fibrosis, as she readied for her second major surgery in six months.  Before the holidays, I had a lengthy conversation with a student who is struggling with the fact that her father left the family, moved across the country, yet still wants to be "dad" to a child who doesn't want to speak to him.

These kids have been through hell and are barely old enough to tie their shoes.  Yet, they still have such a positive attitude, that they inspire me.

Often, after a rough day at school, I will look at some of the notes students have given me over the years, and remind myself that this is why I teach.  These kids.  They let me into their lives for one short year, and they likely never realize the mark they leave on my heart.......

Week 32: Inspirational Person

This summer, my support community expanded considerably.  In addition to the people I met that inspired this blog, I have become part of another blogging community, that has been wonderful in helping me continue finding words worth sharing along the journey.  While I don't know them personally, each of them, and the stories they share, inspire me.

I am so incredibly grateful for those that are
walking my road next to me...

I've written about S, K, and D before (you can read about them here.)  I've also written about JC, MJ, and E (and you can read about them here.)  And bear with me, cause I'm going to do a bit of repeating here...

E is my rock and the reason I am still here today.  The longer I work with MJ, the more inspired I become by her.  MJ and E are my motivation, my inspiration, and my surrogate parents.  I would not be here without them.  I don't even know if they realize it, but it's less about what they say that inspires me, and more about who they are and how they carry themselves.  Ralph Waldo Emerson said "What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say."  Both of these women carry themselves in a way that matches their words, that matches their teachings..... that draws me into their warmth and positivity, that motivates me to continue the journey..... that carries me on my dark days..... They inspire me to move forward in life, no matter how challenging things are.  And I can move forward, cause I know they are with me, even when I'm not with them.

First Blogger Challenge: Complete!

So, I did it.  I completed the blogger challenge.  I'm honestly a little surprised that I was able to keep up with the post-a-day pace, but somehow it all worked.

June 2012 Blogger Challenge

I'm kinda sad it's over.  It was a growth-filled experience, and it gave me something to look forward to each day in June.  I met some pretty amazing people, too.  Everyone commented how nice of a community was built through this challenge.  I agree.  I look forward to keeping connected to those I met, who inspired me to write daily through their own sharing on their blogs.

Right from the challenge website, the mission was clearly spelled out - "Hungry for Change are delighted to partnership with Actively Arielle in a blog challenge that is sure to encourage, inspire and educate in so many diverse ways."  It lived up to it's mission, that's for sure - challenging, encouraging, inspiring, and educating in many, many different aspects of life. 

Thank you Arielle, and thank you Tracey, for creating and fostering a community of kindness and inspiration that benefits and educates everyone!  Can't wait to see what you come up with next!

Arielle's Word-of-the-Day: SOUL

June Blog Challenge Day 23: SOUL

I am at a loss of words when it comes to the word for today.  Looking into the depths of my soul is not something I am able to do yet.  Instead, I'm borrowing the words of others.  Each of the quotes speak to me, to my soul, so while they aren't my words, they are filling in for the time being.

Thank you to the great minds who originally spoke these words.  In doing so, you shared a little bit of your soul, and inspired mine.

Prompt: We all have a soul. Sometimes it can be hard to reach. Sometimes our soul is what keeps us grounded.  Sometimes it’s what keeps us afraid. Sometimes we can’t find it. Talk about your soul.

Arielle's Word-of-the-Day: WARRIOR

June Blog Challenge Day 6: WARRIOR

I know this mom, and she is pretty incredible.  She's been through a lot in her life, yet, she still wakes up every morning and manages to take on whatever the day brings - sometimes she does it in style, sometimes just gets it done.  Her determination, dedication, compassion, honesty, kindness, her attitude toward life... well, pretty much everything about her is inspiring to me, and I'm very lucky to call her a friend.

She's one of those Warrior Moms.  She's engaged in what will now be a battle for the rest of her life to advocate for her adorable, beautiful, smart, and oh-so sweet little girl.  Her little girl, fondly known as LB, has autism.  And this warrior mom is working non-stop to help her daughter reach her full potential, and leave her mark in the world.  Actually, LB already has left her mark... in the hearts of everyone she meets.

Check out her blog if you'd like - the tagline "A sassy mother warrior from Los Angeles raising a very sweet little girl with Autism in the Midwest" says it all!


 
Prompt: What do you envision when you see this word? Do you embody it? Does someone you know? Do you like the term warrior? Hate it? Go!

Arielle's Word-of-the-Day: SINCERE

June Blog Challenge Day 5: SINCERE

Sincere.  When I hear this word, the word "sincerely" comes to mind.  It's a fancy way for grade school students to sign their letters (seems to be a big deal once they hit 3rd grade to use such a grown-up word!)

Sincere.  I hear this word and I think honest.  I think likeable.  I think integrity.  I think genuine.  I think that this is a loaded word!  It's a word that encompasses qualities that I hope to live day in and day out.

Sincere.  There are many people that come to mind when I hear this word, in particular, there are two recovery "gurus" that have resources I've been reading in an effort to learn more about this ed crud that continues to befuddle me.  They have been incredibly helpful to me on this journey, even though I only know them via a blog and two books.  Yet, their sincerity comes across so clearly in their writing, it's evident that they truly live the words they write.  I think that's a pretty tricky thing to do.

Sincere.  I sincerely hope that one day, I am fully recovered, and living the life I am meant to live.

Prompt: Does a particular person come to mind when you see this word?  Write about them if you wish. Or do you feel this is an important quality?  Maybe it’s something you’re trying to achieve.

Stand up.

Today kicks of Reading Month, and in the education world, that's a pretty big deal.  I like to promote reading whenever I can.

This week is National Eating Disorder Awareness Week.  I made a commitment to myself to post a fact or a link or something each day this week on my FB page in order to promote ED awareness.  It's felt a bit risky to do so, but I think it's important to spread awareness for things that are important, that matter, to me. 

Which is why I wore orange today.  I wore orange for a friend of mine who underwent a stem cell transplant today.  She's one tough chick, and her attitude is one worth catching.  No matter what she has going on, she's always the first one to lend an encouraging word to anyone who asks.  Orange is so not my color, but today, it was the only color I wanted to wear.

So stand up.  Or sit down.  Or walk.  Or run or draw or bike or swim or whatever you do... do it with a purpose.  Do it to raise awareness for something that matters to you.  You never know who will be reached by your effort, or who will finally speak up and get help, or give help, because of what you stood up for.

Week 12: Meaningful People

There's been quite a lapse between week 11 and week 12 because I really didn't know who to write about, nor how to write about them in a way that would adhere to the anonymity of the blog-o-sphere.

A picture from one of our adventures, taken July 2010

Family aside, there are a few people that I can't imagine my life without.  My friend JC is one of those people.  JC and I met almost ten years ago, but I feel like I've known her my whole life.  JC taught me what true friendship is like, and our friendship means the world to me.  We both lead very separate and busy lives, but when we get together, it's as if no time has passed.  I'd drop anything on a moments notice to be there for her if she needed, and she's done the same for me.  JC makes my life a lot fuller, a lot brighter, and fills it with a lot more love. 

I've always wanted a big sister, and throughout life, I've met a few people who played that role nicely.  However, I've never met anyone like MJ before.  I may only privy to bits and pieces of her life, but from what she's shared, she has shown me that there is so much possibility in the world, that there is no reason to ever give up hope.  MJ has walked parts of my path, she's faced some of my biggest fears.  She is proof that life can begin at any age.  If it happened for her, it can happen for me.  If she lived through it, so too can I.  MJ may not be my big sister, (and no amount of wishing will change that,) but I am so grateful that she's guiding me on this leg of life adventures.  She gives me hope that I can one day find the same happiness that she worked to find and now enjoys.

Last, but far from least, is E.  I feel like I've been on a tumultuous life voyage that I didn't intend to sign up for.  I've gotten support for these life "adventures" from many along the way (professionals included,) but I've never, ever, ever, encountered anything like the support I get from E.  It's actually been unsettling for me to have someone who is unwaveringly there for me.  I'm no picnic to work with, (as many people have told me,) but E is different.  Doesn't matter what I bring to the table.  When we meet, E is always calm and steady and caring and clear and patient and is somehow able to help me get what I need, whether I'm willing to face it or not.  I don't quite know how to explain it, but somehow, as long as I have E in my corner, I know that I'll be able to make it through anything life throws at me.

I can count the number of special people in my life on only two hands (those mentioned here, along with JC, MJ, and E, as well as EH, L.)  It goes to show that strength doesn't necessarily come numbers.  Sometimes all it takes is a special few to make more difference than a room full of people.

"Most of us, swimming against the tides of trouble the world 

knows nothing about, need only a bit of praise or encouragement 

and we will make the goal." -- Jerome Fleishman

Life...

Sometimes I think I'm stuck in the movie Groundhog's Day. You know, the one where Bill Murray has to repeat the same day over and over and over... Yeah. That one.

I know what I should be doing. But sometimes, I just don't want to do it.  Those are the days where I find myself stuck in an endless loop of bad decisions. Decisions that I know not to make. Decisions that I know better than to let myself make.

Some of the simplest decisions seem impossible to make when I get into this endless loop cycle. Decisions that really have been made for me, I just have to follow through on my part. But sometimes I don't. I just don't want to try that hard, and believe me, it's a lot of effort.

I was searching for some files on my computer, and stumbled across this, something I got many years ago. I hated it then, and didn't think much of it, cause I knew I was never going to read past chapter two.

The good news? While things are really quite tough right now, and I'm having a hard time with a lot of things... I'm almost to chapter three.

There’s a Hole in My Sidewalk: 

Autobiography in Five Short Chapters 

By Portia Nelson

Chapter I
I walk down the street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I fall in
I am lost . . . I am helpless
It isn’t my fault.
It takes forever to find a way out.

Chapter II
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I pretend I don’t see it.
I fall in again.
I can’t believe I am in the same place.
But, it isn’t my fault.
It still takes a long time to get out.

Chapter III
I walk down the same street
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I see it is there.
I still fall in . . . it’s a habit.
My eyes are open.
I know where I am.
It is my fault.
I get out immediately.

Chapter IV
I walk down the same street.
There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.
I walk around it.

Chapter V
I walk down another street.

TGIF!

Thank goodness it's Friday!  It felt like the longest week...  Funny thing time is, though each day has a set amount of it, some days seem to drag on for eons, and others fly by in a blink.  I wish I could choose what I'd like to happen each day!

But I can't.

Sunset.  November 25, 2011

Those days when I'm exhausted and don't feel like I can take one more step, repeat one more direction, answer one more question... those days could end early.  Those days when everything is falling into place, the stars are aligned, the kids are focused and on task, and the sun is shining?  Those days could last forever.  The days where all I want to do is cry and can hardly drag myself out of bed?  I'd love to fast forward through those days.

What do you see?  A stop sign or a sunset?

I might not be able to change time.  Or change my schedule.  Or choose to stay in bed on the bad days.

But I can do something.

I can choose how to respond to each day.  I can choose to wake up on those bad days and remind myself that this bad day will pass.  I can remind myself that it is in surviving the bad days that make the good days all the more sweet.  The grumpy moments help me appreciate the smiles even more.

Cause attitude may be just a little thing, but like Winston Churchill said, it really can make a big difference.

"If you don't like something, change it; if you can't change it, change the way you think about it." -- Mary Engelbreit

Week 3: Inspirations and Influences

I have been struggling with the topic for this week for quite some time... as simple as the first two weeks were for me to write, this week is made up for it!

After pondering the difference between someone's "inspirations" and "influences," a wise friend finally brought the answer to light.  "I guess someone who inspires you motivates you, and someone who influences you impacts your behavior."  So simply stated, but it finally made sense!  No wonder I was stuck on this topic, I couldn't nail down exactly what I needed to ponder!  (Thanks Rish!)

The best and most beautiful things in the
world can not be seen or even touched.
They must be felt with the heart.

There are tons of amazing people who motivate me, many of whom I've never met, yet I'm inspired by their words and actions.  I am a big fan of quotes, as I find that sometimes a few simple words can pull me out of a pit of despair, giving me a glimmer of hope.  One of my favorites is by Helen Keller, and I have a heart necklace inscribed with it.  Anne Frank is another person who from the first time I read her Diary until today continues to inspire me, as do many who experienced the tragedy known as the Holocaust.  Anne was wise beyond her years when she said "How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world."

Animal crackers still make me smile!

From the the moment I was born until she died, my Auntie was a huge influence for me.  I was her favorite, and she was not shy about expressing that!  She was such a kind and caring woman, always there with a hug and kiss, and saying something to make me smile.  We visited her on Sundays, where she had animal crackers and some sweet chocolate treat.  Auntie was always ready to be with me, whatever it was I was doing.  She made me feel very special, and though she passed 20 years ago, I still miss her.

Outside of my family, I have known S for longer than anyone.  I met her on a cold February day when I was 15 years old.  Little did I know that I had just met someone who would become one of the most influential and inspirational people in my life.  She was a teacher who went above and beyond.  She saved my life on more than one occasion.  We drifted apart as I wandered aimlessly through my college years, though she was and still is, always close to my heart.  As fate would have it, we reconnected years ago, and I was given the opportunity to help her out, bringing our friendship full circle.  Now, though we don't get together often, I know she is always there for me, and always will be.

I am lucky to call K a friend.  Since I've known her, she's gone through her own transformative growth, painful and joyful and utterly remarkable.  As a recently divorced mother of three boys - though two are men in their 20s - she runs a very successful business, all while volunteering to help others on their journey toward happiness and contentment.  It is K who helped kick start my journey, and while I didn't enjoy that conversation, and I still don't always enjoy the process, it is and was for the best.  Knowing that she's always there for me makes everything a bit easier to digest!

My friend D never ceases to amaze me.  She is an incredible person who deals with more challenges in one day than most deal with in a year.  She is raising a beautiful little girl with special needs, and is constantly running her daughter from one appointment to another.  Just hearing her weekly schedule exhausts me!  Yet D manages, and more than that, she does it all with grace (and a little bit of sass!)  To top it all off, she works with some incredible organizations, and supports countless others through her volunteering.  AND she makes time to take care of herself, too, which in itself is a great reminder that no matter what is going on, if we don't take care of ourselves, we won't be able to help anyone.