Middle school or Jr. High as it were is brutal. These can be the suckiest years of one’s life. It's not enough that we are living in hormonic hell, but we have some real challenges with a few of those leading the way. Teacher is the title, but what are they teaching? I want to clarify right here that there are Saints in the system. Then there are those (teachers) who I want to ask, "what do you want to be when you grow up?"
I read a post this past weekend by Chris Garret called Just Like Breathing. The challenge is for us discover what is so natural for us that it is like breathing. Unless you suffer from severe chronic asthma or emphysema this is a simple proposition but requires deep and purposeful thought in order to provoke an answer. This is not suggesting one take the path of least resistance but rather discover what moves oneself in a way that they don't even know that they are working, and working diligently at it?
Tonight I attended my son's middle school athletic (I use that word loosely) awards banquet and I couldn't believe my ears! Yes, there were athletes in the room. There were many and many hopefuls as well as could-be's. But the coaches stole the show! The worst part is that so many of the parents were admittedly shocked and buzzing about it afterwards but no one wanted to address it on the next level. One parent even said, "this is how it was two years ago, that is just how they are, pathetic and sad, " and his son won an award! The sad part is that our tender and vulnerable young teens are exposed to some real...crappy leadership!
Football, track, cross country, basketball, volleyball and tennis. These are the schools offered sports and some of these kids are doing good to just be in the program at any level. However those fortunate enough to earn the recognition and honor of an award might just get it served with a backhanded compliment. Case in point: the MVP for the basketball team...a huge honor usually bestowed upon the cream of the crop that sport season was exposed as being lazy. LAZY? And this is the MVP...how does that happen? Then the coach basically wrapped some kind words in there (but I can’t remember because I was so stumped) and said he hoped he would see better the next year. Geeze, am I missing something?
This went on and on from one to the next, it was just awful. Long and awful for all the wrong reasons. Then in the end, the top award was given to the queen and king (for lack of a better word to disguise the actual title) of all things athletic. Insults came out like sugar coated arsenic. The female recipient was praised for being so good that she could have received the MVP in all the programs in which she participated...which was all of them. Uh, so what about the girls you just awarded, the ones holding the plaques, certificates and medals...the actual MVP's? Does that make them Silver MVP's and did you have to take any of their thunder? Could you not have just said how fantabulous this little girl was across the board that she earned herself the Platinum MVP? Was it really necessary to overshadow all the other girls who had just sat down with their prized honors that way? Call me stupid, but it was weird.
Finally, the boy who won the "king" of all sports was praised by each coach and teacher on stage. No doubt he deserves all the accolades and everyone knows he is the 'one', but the little girl who was his counterpart in winning just stood there as the clock ran over while each coach/teacher had to say their piece on this amazing child with a 'pedigree' as they called it. Okay, great... but she is standing there and whatever they said about her was soon forgotten because the teachers disproportionately honored him. He deserves it I agree, I wouldn't even suggest that they even it up, but close the gap a little because it was too obvious and ultimately uncomfortable for many as I bet it was for the boy. If he is as bright as they say, he had to be embarrassed...after all he is one of those hormonic teenage boys.
No wonder Middle School or Jr. High as it were can be so sucky. The good news is these kids will be out of middle school in one year but those teachers will remain (most of them anyway) in a perpetual state of something or another. I wonder if they do what they do because it's as natural to them as breathing. It's hard to tell.
Special praise: There was one coach/teacher that it was obvious she was in her calling as a leader to these kids. She was flawless in her adoration and respect. Her ability to articulate to the masses was spot on and she never once handed down a negative comment on one student. This is as natural to her as breathing....no doubt about it, and it didn't go unnoticed.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Monday, May 11, 2009
Handbook to Good Living 2009
I received this from my dear sister in law in an email (that is how we use to do it in the olden days) and had to share it, with a spin. I do not know the author and wish I did because I added my thoughts in red, because this is my blog (and I can if I want to) besides it's how I see it. All in fun and I hope you enjoy. Cheers!
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water. (exactly how much is plenty, I don't know, but it's more than a little)
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar...can I be the Queen instead?
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants...and certainly don't eat manufactured plants, it's totally illegal.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy... or take Abilify if that is not possible
5. Make time to pray...and then really pray in that time...but not that your enemy would be struck down...no matter how tempting.
6. Play more games...however, be cautious of online gambling.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008. This should be a no brainer...no pun intended
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day...sitting at lights does not count.
9. Sleep for 7 hours...nightly
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile...it's good exercise for your face
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about...and you probably wouldn't want it anyway.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment...but should the moment not be positive...think on happy things to get there, like winning the lottery or winning the lottery!
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits...this could be tough if you follow "the sky is the limit" philosophy. Just say no...it's more fun.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does...seriously!
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip...unless it's really juicy.
16. Dream more while you are awake...this can be dangerous, go back to #9 if necessary.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. But is it okay to dream about it if you are awake?
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your loved ones with his/her mistakes of the past, that will ruin your present happiness. Forget? You mean denial...that is some good $#@*!
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. Just spread nasty rumors, it's fun and you will feel much better.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present...But if it's already stinkin' then it's all your fault (see #20) and you should Refer to #18
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you...and so it's all your fault otherwise!
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn
will last a lifetime...uh, I failed Algebra...twice...at least I think it was Algebra.
23. Smile and laugh more...but not where you make others feel uncomfortable, right?
24. You don't have to win every argument. (yes Ido) Agree to disagree, and you may even disagree with yourself to really save face.
Society:
25. Call your family often. But don't call them names!
26. Each day give something good to others...by all means if you are going to 'give' make it real good!
27. Forgive everyone for everything...but don't condone the bad stuff!
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6...volunteer at a preschool and assisted living home as this will definitely make you successful at #'s 4-26, but beware of #13
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day...start with yourself and then you're down to just two.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business...and they are in direct violation of #11 and 15!
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. At least get a Face Book page...really.
Life:
32.. Do the right thing! You will look better when you see your reflection.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful...except your spouse, they might be on one of those "journey's", see #11
34. GOD heals everything...eventually
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change...eventually.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up...on time preferably.
37. The best is yet to come. Says who?
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it...then think of two other things you are thankful for, take an antidepressant and a good day is sure to follow, I think.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy...damn it!
HANDBOOK 2009
Health:
1. Drink plenty of water. (exactly how much is plenty, I don't know, but it's more than a little)
2. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a beggar...can I be the Queen instead?
3. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less food that is manufactured in plants...and certainly don't eat manufactured plants, it's totally illegal.
4. Live with the 3 E's -- Energy, Enthusiasm and Empathy... or take Abilify if that is not possible
5. Make time to pray...and then really pray in that time...but not that your enemy would be struck down...no matter how tempting.
6. Play more games...however, be cautious of online gambling.
7. Read more books than you did in 2008. This should be a no brainer...no pun intended
8. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day...sitting at lights does not count.
9. Sleep for 7 hours...nightly
10. Take a 10-30 minutes walk daily. And while you walk, smile...it's good exercise for your face
Personality:
11. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about...and you probably wouldn't want it anyway.
12. Don't have negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment...but should the moment not be positive...think on happy things to get there, like winning the lottery or winning the lottery!
13. Don't over do. Keep your limits...this could be tough if you follow "the sky is the limit" philosophy. Just say no...it's more fun.
14. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does...seriously!
15. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip...unless it's really juicy.
16. Dream more while you are awake...this can be dangerous, go back to #9 if necessary.
17. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need. But is it okay to dream about it if you are awake?
18. Forget issues of the past. Don't remind your loved ones with his/her mistakes of the past, that will ruin your present happiness. Forget? You mean denial...that is some good $#@*!
19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone. Don't hate others. Just spread nasty rumors, it's fun and you will feel much better.
20. Make peace with your past so it won't spoil the present...But if it's already stinkin' then it's all your fault (see #20) and you should Refer to #18
21. No one is in charge of your happiness except you...and so it's all your fault otherwise!
22. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class but the lessons you learn
will last a lifetime...uh, I failed Algebra...twice...at least I think it was Algebra.
23. Smile and laugh more...but not where you make others feel uncomfortable, right?
24. You don't have to win every argument. (yes Ido) Agree to disagree, and you may even disagree with yourself to really save face.
Society:
25. Call your family often. But don't call them names!
26. Each day give something good to others...by all means if you are going to 'give' make it real good!
27. Forgive everyone for everything...but don't condone the bad stuff!
28. Spend time w/ people over the age of 70 & under the age of 6...volunteer at a preschool and assisted living home as this will definitely make you successful at #'s 4-26, but beware of #13
29. Try to make at least three people smile each day...start with yourself and then you're down to just two.
30. What other people think of you is none of your business...and they are in direct violation of #11 and 15!
31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch. At least get a Face Book page...really.
Life:
32.. Do the right thing! You will look better when you see your reflection.
33. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful...except your spouse, they might be on one of those "journey's", see #11
34. GOD heals everything...eventually
35. However good or bad a situation is, it will change...eventually.
36. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up...on time preferably.
37. The best is yet to come. Says who?
38. When you awake alive in the morning, thank GOD for it...then think of two other things you are thankful for, take an antidepressant and a good day is sure to follow, I think.
39. Your Inner most is always happy. So, be happy...damn it!
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