I’m a quote person. I love words and catchy phrases. Ask anyone who follows me on Pinterest, my most pinned board are my “quote” boards. Words inspire me.
So when I saw this quote, I wanted to fist pump and let out a guilty sign…..
See….
This season has been hard.
Each and every day I teach 130 8th grade students. Middle school is a magical place, where the antidote to boy cooties has been discovered, Chuck Taylors are all the rage, and attention spans only last 13 minutes.
Which probably explains why I get along so well with 8th Graders…
I’m not only teaching, I also have a little photography business. Saying I have a “little business” is like saying I have a “little kid”- it is a lot of responsibility and it is always calling for attention.
But, I love it. I love every second of it.
Then, there’s my personal life. Which, I’ve discovered, isn’t personal to 8th graders. In fact, I’m convinced that we don’t need to hire FBI agents or CIA agents to find out terrorist plots or information that should be dubbed “Top Secret”. Nope. All we need to do is hire an 8th grader. Their stalking ability is incredible. They’ve discovered things that I didn’t even know about myself.
We could break open a can of dirty details- but that’s not the point.
The point is that in the midst of the chaos and crazy, I absolutely LOVE this season of my life. Yes, it has been one of my more difficult seasons. Yes, I have consecutively stumbled, struggled, and fallen down more in this season, than any other. But, I’ve slowly come to a realization: inevitably, we will fall, but it is the way in which we choose to get backup that determines our next steps.
We can let the mud we trudge through define us, or we can let it make us stronger.
And I just wanna be someone who always gets back up feistier, stronger, and wiser than before, you know?
Sometimes though… I get caught up in the comfort of habit. This season is crazy, and in the midst of the cray cray a part of me longs for consistency. Something steady. Teaching 8th grade, hormones are constantly up and down, drama is in the air we breathe, and I’m pretty sure that there’s something in the water that makes kids wanna talk all the time.
Which is probably another reason why I get along with 8th graders so well.
As much as I’ve taught 8th grade this semester- they’ve taught me more. Sure, China, India, and other ancient civilizations are important. But, what’s more important is the impact we make on those around us. We have such a profound power to influence those around us. Sometimes we just try to get through the routine of the day. We walk to the same classes, eat at the same place, talk to the same people…. we form habits out of life. Habits can be healthy, but they can also rob us of being intentional. The people that are in our lives are in them for a reason. The same person you pass by on your way to class, the same people you see at lunch, the same people you talk to, they matter. They are specifically placed in our life for a reason- and that is something I need to more fully grasp.
I don’t believe in coincidences. So, it is no coincidence that each student I teach is in my stead, and I’m in theirs. Each one has something to offer, and I absolutely love viewing my life with them that way.
Where ever you are, whatever you’re doing- live life intentionally today. Start seeing people. Really seeing them. Live life less out of habit, and more out of intent.
xo
AnnaFilly
PS That fabulous watercolor print is from the ever lovely Jenna Kutcher! Check out her stuff! She is suuuuuupa talented and her art makes for great gifts! *wink wink* 😉
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