Welcome Back.

Backstory

I have not shown my love for this site in quite some time. This year has been filled with arrant changes: I finished my first year of teaching (yay!), I’ve settled into my own home (adulting points), and I’ve begun to use time management strategies to find success in planning (including regular gym time!), and I started hiking on a regular basis. I finished my teaching credentials, and am currently researching my Masters thesis.

I’ve marked this year with progress. I dislike bragging (basically I’m physically uncomfortable typing this out) but I am proud, and maybe these accomplishments will help you understand where I’m coming from when I say: welcome back.

I’ve met several inspiring people this year, too. It’s been a year of personal and professional growth thanks to their intelligence, enthusiasm, and charisma. The attitudes are infectious. I’m fortunate to work with these good hearted people, who give 110% of themselves to the children they teach.

Inspiring.

Personally, I love learning. I can’t wait to take new classes, write papers, and research solutions to problems in my classroom and in my district. This year I have learned to define self professionally and personally, but I’m embracing my flaws. Even the ones I would rather not talk about.

But that’s how problems are solved, no? By identifying the injury and dousing it in alcohol? This particular flaw is one I’ve been battling with for years.

I begin projects, and fail to follow through. Actually, I’m really great at starting new projects. The ideas flow, I get some friends in on it. Relationships as well. But the downfall lies in the upkeep. The question I’ve been asking myself, and the question I ask you is this: What do I need to learn about love and life to have successful relationships and experience success in all areas of life (emotional, spiritual, physical)? 

This is the list I’ve come up with: 

• allegiance and dedication
  • to people, ideas, and tasks you take under your belt. Schedule check-ins, when you think of someone, text them or call them. Let them know you care and they are appreciated.
• contact and collaboration
  • in relationships (plutonic and romantic, work or pleasure), we learn the most when we speak with one another. “No man is an island” is a poem by John Donne which articulates this idea beautifully.
• good communication skills
  • eye contact, input/output exchange, genuine interest in the other person.
• truthfulness
  • with yourself and others. BE UNABASHEDLY TRUTHFUL. Truth strengths all relationships, and it’s by far my #1 indicator of authenticity in others.
• be willing to look silly
  • Get those ideas out there. Make the funny faces and speak with the weird accents. Happiness is showcasing who you are, don’t hide your brilliance. Imagine how bright the world would be if people weren’t afraid to be themselves.
• realize that every person you come into contact with wants the same thing: to be loved and accepted
  • This idea is not mine. The Dali Lama articulated this idea beautifully. Considering our baseline for happiness is contingent upon the same concept of kindness and humanity, it makes it easier to listen lovingly and deeply to others. We’re working toward a common goal after all. Helping each other is necessary.

Goals and creativity: 

Set goals high If you don’t reach them today, odds are you’ll be much closer to reaching them tomorrow. It takes time to build up any kind of muscle: physical, mental, emotional. Keep moving upward.

Support system: Surround yourself with people who love and support you. Tell them about your goals, but keep track of your progress on your own. Don’t work to show off, work to smash the shit out of those goals on your own. The people you surround yourself are on your side even if you fall behind. Never forget that.

Dedication to progress. Allegiance and devotion to your own idea. Good or bad. See it to fruition and magic will happen. I read the works of Emerson and Thoreau in my youth: long humid summers on my porch in Oklahoma.  Those guys lit a fire under my ass about individualism and creativity, and it’s been burning bright ever since.

When you fail (yes when, not if) try again and maybe fail again. Failure is an opportunity to build yourself up. Foundations are not the most exciting or flashy part of a building, but structural integrity is key to success, man.

I’m still a work in progress, and so are you: 

The most exciting moments in life are when we grow. And the most beautiful part of growing if that there are so many new things to learn and discover. We are never truly finished, and there is no such thing as a final product.

As a constant work in progress and I lover of all, I’m hoping to not let anyone else down; I’m here to write, express, and voice everyday ideas that I’ve come to realize are transcendent, or at least applicable to other aspects of my life. If they also vibe with you, please email me or message me here. I’d like to know what your think and what is challenging you at the moment: maybe we can work together to make some changes.

Change is inevitable and accountability is necessary: I’m welcoming myself back to the creativity of writing, learning, and failures that come long with those endeavors. Holding this self accountable. You’ll be hearing more from me soon.

Molto amore e apprezamento.

The Wayfarer