2018
Like most people, I went into 2018 with a lot of goals. The biggest one was to write more, but the thing about writing is that it can sometimes be scary. Taking my thoughts and feelings out of my brains and putting them on paper makes them real, and sometimes I try to avoid that. This avoidance led to a whole lot of reading. What better way to avoid writing about myself than by reading about others?! I did continue my tradition of documenting these books with writing down memorable quotes and I used these to define my 2018.
"Most of the time, everyone deserves more than one chance. We all do things we regret now and then. You just have to carry them with you." - Celeste Ng in Little Fires Everywhere
2018 was a good reminder that it's easier to forgive people than to hold on to the mistakes that they have made. I don't have the time or the energy to be angry with others for something that they may have done to hurt me, so I forgive them and take a lot of comfort in the fact that they have to carry their regrets with them, just like I have to carry mine with me. I've made my fair share of mistakes, but I feel better knowing that those are mine alone to deal with.
"My only advice is to be honest. That's your most powerful tool to unlock a heart or gain forgiveness." - Christopher Paolini in Eragon
Time and time again, I am reminded of the importance of honesty. It’s one of the few things that we have control of in this world. We get to choose to tell the truth and be honest and sometimes that honesty means that we are vulnerable, but people appreciate vulnerability. Being honest can be hard, but it is always worth it.
"Those who can, do. If you can help someone, if you can do something good, if you can make a difference, you should." -Jill Santopolo in The Light We Lost
This year more than any other year, I realized why teacher burnout is a real thing. I used to roll my eyes, but this year I really feel it. It's hard work, but it's good work. Even if my students don't learn every single standard that I am meant to teach, I know that the time they spend in my classroom will stick with them. I know that I love them and that I do my best to teach them to laugh and enjoy life and to try their best to be good people. I can only hope that I am leaving the world better than it was when I found it.
"You can't help the things you feel, only things you do." - Karen Fowler in We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
You have to feel your feelings. I have acknowledged this before. You can't control what you feel, but you get to control how you respond. This year I have been able to find comfort in simply sharing my feelings. I don't necessarily need to do anything about them, but I feel better just telling someone about them.
We all need to work on not fearing the opportunity to be better. It’s difficult to change our way of thinking and I’m realizing how much privilege I have been granted without ever really understanding that privilege. It’s impossible for us to fully grasp what others struggle with on a daily basis, but just because we can’t grasp it doesn’t mean that our privilege doesn’t exist. These quotes seem like a good reminder to be aware of our impact on others. My hope is that I can help my students recognize their impact and think outside their immediate bubble. We are all shaped differently based on where we come from and it’s time to start embracing these differences.
"Have you ever thought less of somebody for making you laugh on purpose? Dignity is overrated. People can live without it, but people can't live without laughter. I'll gladly trade dignity for laughter because dignity is cheap and laughter is everything." - Jeff Zentmer in Goodbye Days
It's cliche, but it's true. Laughter eases a lot of worries and it makes me feel better to be around people who make me laugh. This year needed a lot of laughter and I appreciate all of the funny people in my life.
"If you are honest, people may deceive you, be honest anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfishness. Be kind anyway. All the good you do today will be forgotten by others tomorrow. Do good anyway." - Fredrick Backman in Beartown
"Most of the time, everyone deserves more than one chance. We all do things we regret now and then. You just have to carry them with you." - Celeste Ng in Little Fires Everywhere
2018 was a good reminder that it's easier to forgive people than to hold on to the mistakes that they have made. I don't have the time or the energy to be angry with others for something that they may have done to hurt me, so I forgive them and take a lot of comfort in the fact that they have to carry their regrets with them, just like I have to carry mine with me. I've made my fair share of mistakes, but I feel better knowing that those are mine alone to deal with.
"My only advice is to be honest. That's your most powerful tool to unlock a heart or gain forgiveness." - Christopher Paolini in Eragon
Time and time again, I am reminded of the importance of honesty. It’s one of the few things that we have control of in this world. We get to choose to tell the truth and be honest and sometimes that honesty means that we are vulnerable, but people appreciate vulnerability. Being honest can be hard, but it is always worth it.
"I think a life well spent has something to do with making a mark. Leaving the world better than you found it."
AND"Those who can, do. If you can help someone, if you can do something good, if you can make a difference, you should." -Jill Santopolo in The Light We Lost
This year more than any other year, I realized why teacher burnout is a real thing. I used to roll my eyes, but this year I really feel it. It's hard work, but it's good work. Even if my students don't learn every single standard that I am meant to teach, I know that the time they spend in my classroom will stick with them. I know that I love them and that I do my best to teach them to laugh and enjoy life and to try their best to be good people. I can only hope that I am leaving the world better than it was when I found it.
"You can't help the things you feel, only things you do." - Karen Fowler in We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
You have to feel your feelings. I have acknowledged this before. You can't control what you feel, but you get to control how you respond. This year I have been able to find comfort in simply sharing my feelings. I don't necessarily need to do anything about them, but I feel better just telling someone about them.
"Fear the thought that right now, you could be contributing to the oppression of others and you don't know it. But do not fear those who bring oppression to light. Do not fear the opportunity to be better."
AND
"Your privilege will keep you from fully understanding the pain caused to people by systemic racism, but just because you cannot understand it, that does not make it any less real." - Ijeoma Olou in So You Want to Talk About Race We all need to work on not fearing the opportunity to be better. It’s difficult to change our way of thinking and I’m realizing how much privilege I have been granted without ever really understanding that privilege. It’s impossible for us to fully grasp what others struggle with on a daily basis, but just because we can’t grasp it doesn’t mean that our privilege doesn’t exist. These quotes seem like a good reminder to be aware of our impact on others. My hope is that I can help my students recognize their impact and think outside their immediate bubble. We are all shaped differently based on where we come from and it’s time to start embracing these differences.
"Have you ever thought less of somebody for making you laugh on purpose? Dignity is overrated. People can live without it, but people can't live without laughter. I'll gladly trade dignity for laughter because dignity is cheap and laughter is everything." - Jeff Zentmer in Goodbye Days
It's cliche, but it's true. Laughter eases a lot of worries and it makes me feel better to be around people who make me laugh. This year needed a lot of laughter and I appreciate all of the funny people in my life.
"If you are honest, people may deceive you, be honest anyway. If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfishness. Be kind anyway. All the good you do today will be forgotten by others tomorrow. Do good anyway." - Fredrick Backman in Beartown
This one speaks for itself.
Have a happy 2019!
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