Challenge 12, Part 2: EMBRACE

I find this to be a VERY interesting concept.  Embracing pain?  Really?  Like those sharp, shooting pains that run down my right leg?  Or the dull ache that constantly resides in my right shoulder?  You seriously want me to embrace it?  Really?  You must be joking.

I can think of lots of other things I'd prefer to embrace.  Like a friend.  Or a puppy.  Or a pony.  Or a pillow.  But pain?  No thanks.

BUT.  If I do choose to embrace that pain, and it does indeed become fuel for this journeycalledlife, then maybe it is worth a go?

As one of those people who believes everything happens for a reason, I guess there IS a reason for pain, and maybe that reason is that it IS what provides fuel for this journeycalledlife that we are all on.  I guess that would give a little more positive purpose to the pain that placates me persistently.

Definitely something to munch on for a while......

Challenge 6, Part 3: The Self

This one is still a struggle for me.  I think what it boils down to is I am still trying to figure out who I am.  I mean, I know that I'm a person, a teacher, a daughter, a sister, a friend - all that stuff.  But really, who am I?

I've spent so much time being a chameleon, being the person that fits where I am at that moment.  In doing so, I never established a firm sense of self.  And that is one of the things I'm working on right now.

I read this great blog post from Surfacing After Silence about developing your own identity, or, more likely, finding your true self.  It definitely got me thinking about who I am and who I want to be.  I may be in my 30's, but it's never to late to do some self-discovery and create the me I want to be!

My Distraction Box

I got this idea from a fellow blogger over at Swallow a Spider.  She created a box that contains safe distractions for when she's in a tough spot.  I thought it was a fantastic idea, and have started assembling my own box.  I really like the idea of having everything in one spot, easily accessible, in case of emergency.  Sometimes when I get into that state of desperate panic where I don't quite know what to do with myself, well, this box could be a pretty handy tool.

Taped to the inside of the lid are phone numbers, in order of who to call first, so I don't have to look should I be that frazzled.

I've included a small stuffie and a small scrap of my favorite, extra soft, snuggle fabric, which is always soothing.  There's a bottle of panic meds and Advil, just in case I need something more.  Also inside are crayons, colored pencils, and a sketch book, all good distractions and fun!  Additionally, I've included a photo and message from someone very helpful to me, and a few motivating quotes that I like.  I put in a book to read, one of my favorites, so it will be like revisiting old friends when I read it.  There's also a mini deck of cards and a twist/toy fidget.  The last thing inside is a small kids mp3 player with a special message and some of my favorite songs on it, along with headphones.  I picked it up very inexpensively for a project that I never used it for, and while I likely won't need it, I figured I'd put it in, just in case!

I still may put other things in, and the contents will likely change over time, but for now, I know that if I were in a tough spot, and I didn't know what else to do, pulling this box out would distract me, at least for a little while!  (And even better, putting it together was a great distraction in itself!)

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

June Blog Challenge Day 26: PURPOSE

I consider myself lucky.  I know that my purpose is to teach.  I've wanted to be a teacher since I was nine years old.  Yes, once I got to college it took me a few changes of major before I remembered my original purpose, but I made it.  I have been in the classroom for ten years now, and while some years are more challenging than others, I can still say that I *love* what I do.  I really, really do.  I can't imagine doing anything else.

I think you can really tell when people have found their purpose, or their calling.  I work with several other teachers who you can tell this is it.  They too, were meant to be teachers.  My doctor is the same way.  You can tell she really enjoys her career choice by the way she interacts with you.  It's really refreshing, especially considering all the negative talk out there about doctors who don't care.  My therapist is the same way.  You can tell that this is what she was meant to do.  I've worked with a lot of therapists in the past, but none have had the same passion that she has.  My whole team is pretty incredible, and I am very lucky to have them.

Some people were born leaders.  Some people were born athletes.  I think that when it comes to purpose, it's important to remember that everyone has a different one, and there is a value in every purpose.  I appreciate the electricians, auto mechanics, plumbers, carpenters, custodians... everyone who is helping the world by what they do. 

No one can do everything, but everyone can do something.

- unknown -

Prompt: Do you know your purpose? What does purpose mean in your eyes? Do you admire the purpose of certain others?

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.