Eternal Effects

Most people have had a teacher or leader that has affected them for good or bad, influencing their whole life. I've had many, but one that stood out during high school, a time that's hard for any young girl, was my Spanish teacher.

He taught Spanish and was the baseball coach. There were several of his players in the class that thought they were so cool, though they could hardly speak Spanish. I did well in the class, and those boys would try and take advantage of that sometimes or tease about it because they were stupid.

One day the teacher told me in front of the whole class, "One day, Liz, you'll go to college and meet boys who will appreciate that you are smart and like you for it. They'll treat you with respect. They'll be guys who deserve your attention. Some day you'll meet guys like that, hold out for them because they are out there." It shut those jocks up pretty quick, and they were nicer after that.

He was right. I married a guy like he talked about that appreciated that I am smart, that treats me with respect, and deserves my attention because he's like me. My teacher's words have never left me, but even more the potential he saw for my life and for me, the feeling of confidence he gave me helped a lot through the years.

I worked in a high school for several years, and I tried to instill in some of those girls the potential for a great life they had if they could just make it through the stupid high school boys. I told them to just hold on through the next year or two and then they would have their chance to really blossom and be appreciated. Post high school life is where our true selves can really live up to the best we can be.

Even if you don't teach a class, you can have this same influence on others. A kind word or gesture can buoy a person for years through hard times. You probably won't ever know the impact you have had on others, for better or for worse, but you can go forward trying to leave a positive touch on those you interact with.

End Of The World Heroes

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ktvTqknDobU

Imagine Dragons has a song called Radioactive. (link above) It's popular with the younger generation, probably because we've been inundated with end of the world talk, books, tv shows, and movies. The end of the world has been thought about for millennia, but only recently does the end seem near, seem like a reality. Even cartoons for kids predict an end of the world with Wall-E.

The end of the world will be filled with destruction and horrible actions, but what keeps people sane is that at the end there is always hope. Many will die, but there will be survivors who will make the world over again, a better place. Heroes always rise up in the face of tragedy. Our true selves show up when under extreme pressure. Some choose badly, some chose wisely and show the world that humanity is still alive. The heroes and good leaders give hope to the rest of the people.

There's a hero inside of you. When tragedy strikes, whether in your personal life or the end of the world, be the hero that rises from the ashes, the phoenix that saves the world and itself.

Silence Is Golden

I remember being at a girl's camp with my friends and it was getting near the end of the week. We were walking together all not talking but it felt comfortable. It's the first time I remember this quote applying well to my life. We were friends before, but during that week we had bonded to a deeper level.

My husband and I are this way too. We have hour-plus long drives frequently to visit family. Sometimes we talk the whole way, sometimes we are both lost in our own thoughts, usually it's a mix of the two, but it always feels comfortable.

An example of an uncomfortable silence between two people would be a date I went on years ago. A co-worker set me up with her nephew because she just knew we would be great together. She had him come to where we worked and introduced us, and I knew right away it probably wasn't going to go anywhere, but accepted the date anyways for her sake.

We talked in the car and in the line at the restaurant but the conversation was stilted. We finally got our food and found a table in the crowded noisy restaurant. He put his head down and proceeded to shovel food into his mouth until he was about half way through his meal. Then he looked up, asked how my food was, nodded that his was good also, then back down went the head until his food was gone. Then he insisted we go to a movie, so I agreed. At least no talking was expected during a movie. But there was a half hour wait until the movie started so we ended up walking around the mall, hardly talking, looking for a present for his sister. We ran into a friend of his and they talked for about ten minutes. Finally it was time for the movie. After the movie he took me home and we never spoke again.

It was awkward, especially when his aunt excitedly asked how the date was. Sometimes there are two good people, but they just have nothing to say to each other.

But then other times there are two good people, like my husband and I, that are just meant to be together. We talk, we are quiet, we plan together, we work together, we live together. It's a beautiful thing.

Saturday Laughs

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The Neck Verses The Head

I recently read some good advice about how to take a nap when your child stops taking naps. Lay down on the bed with the child to 'help them' go to sleep. Your child will sneak off the bed after you fall asleep and will stay quiet trying to make sure you stay asleep while they play. Make sure the door is closed so they don't destroy the house while you sleep though.

This is a good example of letting someone else think they have a good idea, while all along it was your idea. Like in My Big Fat Greek Wedding- the mom says the dad may be the head of the family, but she is the neck and can turn the head any way she wants to.

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If you need something done but need the help of someone else, try getting the person to come up with the idea that you want. If they think of the idea themselves (with a little prompting) they will be all for the idea when they might otherwise object.

It's a tricky business, but it can be effective. 

I suppose it is a form of manipulation, but I don't think someone would come up with an idea they were truly opposed to and follow through with it. But gently prodding someone towards a good path for them can help them and others.