Getting ready for his annual ARD. Makes me cry every time. I love his progress, but knowing how much he struggles is hard for my mom and teacher heart. I have to learn that God has a plan and His ways are perfect. I also have to let go of what it means to be on grade level or normal or average or behind and just accept that this is his level. Being a SPED parent is hard and we often forget the real human emotions in the midst of all the documentation and paperwork.
I have lost workout motivation. I make every excuse with the biggest one being that I do not want to sweat right now. But I know I need it and love the benefits. So my plan is to create workout motivation.
One-a song playlist that gets me going.
Two-accountability app to check in and set goals.
Three-look at this picture to get these arms.
One of the biggest changes facing our educational system is the mental health of teachers. Teachers are seeing the value in self care and choosing to limit the things we say yes to do. But here is the problem-these things will be done whether you say yes or not. So what is happening is a small few doing the “extra duties as assigned” of a large group.
A few things on that list:
Tutoring
UIL coach
Battle of the Books Coach
School committees
District committees
Team Leads
Mentors
Morning and afternoon duty
After school clubs
Gifted programs like DI
All these things benefit kids, but adult volunteers have to run them.
Serving can be a challenge, but do it anyway. The benefits far outweigh the problems. It spreads the truth that Jesus loves us and through His love, I can love others.
Communicate your expectations. I could have avoided so many conflicts if I had just said out loud the expectations I was thinking. Something as simple as “I expected you to cook tonight since you heard how bad my day has been.” If only men could read our minds… until that great day, we must say our thoughts.
One of the best things I learned (after nearly going through a divorce) is praying for your spouse is the first step in softening your heart. Something only natural in the spirit softens and molds what once felt like rock. It is challenging, but fulfilling.
Stormie Omartian has a great series of books with prayers inside if you need ideas or a place to start.
Returning to teaching is never easy, especially since I am still struggling with an infection, enlarged spleen, kidney problems, and my voice is still shaky after losing it for 3 weeks! My Lupus body is fighting something. Cellcept suppresses my immune system, so it is hitting me hard. But I get one of the best jobs with 2 weeks off to rest and recover and I am grateful.
The God of your disappointments is still your God. The hardest part is letting go of the pen so He can write the narrative.
My 2023 word of the year is here! I love doing this rather than SMART goals because it encourages me to lose control of ME doing the change and lets God speak to me as I look and listen and BE STILL.
My words that grew me the most were grace (that year my marriage imploded), vulnerable (the year the pandemic hit) and last year was Joy (my first year to ever really dive into therapy and learn circumstances have nothing to do with what has my focus and heart).
I know this word will push me, drive me and teach me and I am ready. Stepping out of my comfort, being okay to do it afraid, focusing on what other people may need from me rather than what I want to give, doing what should be done even if it is hard or takes lots of my time and energy, having the hard conversation even if it makes me cringe and being willing to walk away and accept change if God creates a door.
Honestly, maybe it is as simple as make the changes for my health even if it is more exercise and saying no to delicious foods or drinks that wreck my body.
Who knows…but I am ready for the next 365. Time to get uncomfortable.
I prefer to see the new year less as an event and more like an opportunity. It is after all just the next day to a new calendar year. I mean what if we did this much goal setting each week or month? How much more intentional could we be?
But I love reflecting and seeing the big picture in deciding what works and what does not and see it as an opportunity to get uncomfortable and do something about it.
Cheers to the unseen opportunities of 2023! May God be at the center of it all and may you find your worth, value and acceptance by being in awe of Him!
intunewithmyautoimmune 