Photo Credits: Jim Patterson
Photo inspiration of the day…Summer & beach days shall arrive soon.
In a Child’s-Eye View
17 May
“Mrs. Kim” by L.Reyes, 2013.
Children are honest and what they see is genuinely how they perceive you. In most cases, these little ones can tell you about your entire life in one sitting. They can recall every single word that comes out of your mouth and can amazingly repeat word-for-word what you say to others. They can tell you about your bad-hair days, your coffee-breath days, and remind you how many times you’ve worn the same shoes! They can articulate your dreams, your desires, your cravings…Essentially, children can tell you frankly where you stand, who you are, and who you’ve become. 
I had given my first graders this descriptive writing lesson and this child chose to write about me. I am astounded by how accurately this child perceives me. Just note that “17 sons and 10 daughters” translates into 17 boys & 7 girls + my 3 very own daughters. I love it!
Image
Rising Sun
7 Apr
Photo Credits: Rising Sun by Carlos *P
Just a stunning photo I wanted to share with you…Happy Sunday! Be in good thoughts today.:)
In This Child’s Life
6 AprI met a 12-year old girl last night. On the outside, her smile glistens, her presence radiates, and her personality captivates… On the inside, her heart breaks, her soul surrenders, her mind wanders hopelessly… I knew this moment was meant to be. As she gazed at her peers, she wasn’t afraid to say, “I don’t fit in. I feel awkward. They don’t include me. I’m just that kind of person who needs to fit-in, but no one understands.” As I let her channel her frustrations, my thoughts submerged within my heart. What was the underlying cause of all this despondency? Where would this child regain her confidence and courage to belong?
She then takes a leap of courage to tell me, “My mother has anger issues, so she doesn’t listen to me. Just one day, if she gives me her time, that’s all I would want. My father…well, he’s my father. He doesn’t call. He doesn’t listen either. When it’s my chance to see him, he’s too busy with his new life. My life has been this way for years since ‘my’ divorce. I say that because well…they divorced me.”
At this point, astounded by the contemplation of this 12-year old, it was clear that this child was seeking a safe place to fit-in and belong. Don’t we all? As adults, we are like children. We need others to make an effort or gesture to let us know that we belong. We need people to listen to us and validate our feelings. We need friends and family to keep us secure and encourage us to take the next steps in life. When we don’t feel we belong, we feel divorced.
So, I knew this moment was meant to be…to let this child know that no matter how she feels, no matter what anyone says, that she should always know that she belongs. I told her that if she could hold on tightly to that, nothing could bring her down. The last thing this child said to me was, “Thank you. Thank you for listening. Thank you.” If you could have seen her smile in that moment, you would have broken down in tears of joy.
Remember, it only takes your minute effort to make the greatest impact in a child’s life!!!
Image
Don’t Over-Analyze Your Life
14 Mar
Photo Credits to: Timothy Poulton, “Half-Life”
Try not to over-analyze your life. It may just ‘cloud’ your vision and disillusion you. In most cases, if you let yourself over-think, you may discover later that what you thought was never true. You don’t always have to learn the hard way…Your life will certainly be easier.~jblog
Live to Inspire
14 Mar
The other day, one of my first grade students looked at me and asked, “Why do you get to eat a bagel and drink coffee?” I told her that I was rushing out of my home that morning and didn’t get to eat, so I picked up some breakfast.
She gazed at me for a long time and finally said, “You know what…? When I grow older, I want to be just like you. I want to become a teacher, eat bagels, and drink coffee!”
I smiled and asked, “What makes you want to become a teacher when you grow up?”
She then said, “You get to wear high heels and pretty clothes when you’re a teacher…You get to make kids smart and make them good writers…You get to teach them other things like how to keep their desks organized…” Then she continued, “Teachers like you make kids happy and I want to be like you, so I could make kids happy!”
Despite all the demands on teachers these days, it’s moments like these that help me strive to work even harder for the kids. Any moment during my teaching could make a difference in at least one child’s life. How about that…? I love being a teacher!!!
Visit My Store!
