Recently I underwent some scrutiny and was fairly offended by it. Only took a few moments for me to ponder and remind myself that life and how we experience it is all about perspective. It is all about how we choose to see things. If we are looking for the bad than that is all you will see. However, if you look for the good than you can actually see that, too.
My initial response to such harshness was how dare they and who do they think they are. But in reality asking such questions is only serving at the same level as them and leads to casting my own criticism and judgment back. This just creates a cycle of negativity that really does no one good, especially me. Once I could step back from taking it personally, which I did not need to do, I was capable of taking a different viewpoint at the circumstances and the individual.
I had to remind myself that just because someone else makes an assessment of me that does not mean it is accurate or that I have to accept it. I have to live with myself and look at myself day in and day out. I have to know who I am, what I am about, where my intentions are and that is it. I do not need another to validate or endorse me, especially someone who does not know me. Accordingly, if I thoughtfully reflect on the words that were used to describe me and determine they are inaccurate then I do not have to accept another’s viewpoint.
Once I was able to remove myself from this situation, I was able to look for something good in this person. I want to see the better side of everyone, regardless of how they choose to deal with me. I see why they are making the choices they do, even when I don’t agree. Looking for the best in another allowed me to be filled with empathy, which is something I think this person needs.
We do not always have to be on the defense if we do not choose to be. We can find the good in all situations and people. We can eliminate the negative and hurt and replace it with positivity and compassion. We can be kinder and better than we thought possible. Create the life you want to live by looking for that which you want to see in all…your eyes, heart, mind, spirit, and soul allow you to see what you want!
He see's me for the person I want to be. I want to be fun. I want to be happy. I want to be lighthearted. I want to be laughing, smiling, peaceful, open, and constantly learning & growing. I want to be someone others want to be around and have around. He always includes me and wants me there. He sees the goof that lives within. He sees the real me and likes her, which makes my heart feel fuller than I ever knew possible.
While he sees me, he lets me be me.
He knows I am different than him, but admires me for my uniqueness. He knows where my heart and intentions are, even when they can’t clearly be seen. He allows me the opportunity to learn to be better and make better decisions. He knows I am not perfect and does not want me to be. He supports my personality when I am on and off. He knows I need to lead, but then will later just want to follow. He knows when to push and when to support. He respects me, admires me, and engages with me.
It has always been important that I was seen for my authentic self and allowed to be her. I never realized part of that acceptance, encouragement, and acknowledgement might come from a variety of people. Both see me and let me be, but they do so in their own distinct ways. It’s so fun and refreshing to be growing with others, especially when we share the goal of wanting to be our authentic selves, while we grow together. I am blissful simply because he sees me & he lets me be me!
Finally released the last of some excess weight that I have been carrying around with me for a few years and it feels liberating, exciting, and as if I am now free to start anew. We all carry things with us and as hard as we sometimes try we cannot eliminate our excess bulk until we are fully ready. I believe everything must be in sync; mind, body, and soul, and not until they are all in tune can we get to where we want to be.
Life is an evolution. We all experience different journeys and have our own path. Sometimes it is as we have planned; other times we are sent in a direction we did not know our destiny would travel or down side roads we never knew existed. The way we turn is the way we were supposed to go.
As hard as we work, whether that be physically, mentally or emotionally, sometimes we simply just need time. We must give into the universe and let her lead us where she wants us to be and when she wants us to be there. Although I had been working hard and felt ready to purge these stagnant pounds there were things out of my control that were preventing me from losing what I wanted to get rid of.
Now, today, just like that it is all gone! The time has finally arrived and I never saw it coming, I just kept pushing towards the goal with the faith that it would happen…and it has. I am now completely free of the dead weight and I can now move toward future goals … the possibilities of pure awesomeness!
I'm beaming with pride after concluding my 16th year of teaching and my last final of the semester. Our future is so bright and I am always amazed at how creative, talented, and receptive my students are.
I'm not certain all teachers, parents, mentors, managers, and the everyday passerby realizes the impact we have on those around us. As an educator I feel beyond fortunate for the opportunity to get to impart my knowledge, area of expertise, and experiences with a new group of college students each semester. To get to positively impact others is my life mission and in the classroom I get to do just that.
As leaders, friends, role models, moms, dads, instructors, strangers we must realize the impression we have on others. Reflect on your own actions and behaviors and how they influence those around you. Are you having the effect you desire on all those that are within reach of the impression you leave? Work hard at being the person you want to be by positively imparting your best on others and by making goods choices with every encounter and engagement. When we speak, they listen, and when we equip our youth with the tools to be successful that is exactly what they do.
