Are you a sticker or a band aid?

There is so much hurt in the world.  It is all around us.  You can watch it on the news...read it in the paper...see it standing next to you in the checkout line.  Each of us has a choice when faced with hurt.  We can be a sticker...or a band aid.  Some choose to be a sticker.  They add to the hurt with unkind words, judgement, and apathy.  Their sharp, prickly behavior digs in and compounds the existing injury.  Others choose to be a band aid.  They soothe, protect, and heal.  Their compassion aids and encourages the wounded.  Our words have power.  I do not think it is a coincidence that Bible mentions the tongue 113 times.  There are many more verses that refer to the wisdom of silence without directly referencing the tongue. Here are a few examples. 

"The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence." Prov 10:11
"When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." Prov 10:19
"Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but he who is trustworthy remains silent." Prov 11:12
"Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin." Prov 13:3

What will you choose?  The next time you encounter hurt, will you be a sticker...or a band aid?

Fact vs Fiction

This week, a very popular video game focused on military combat released its latest version.  **Let me pause and say that I am married to a man who plays video games...some are much like the one released this week...and I am not wishing to imply that I think these games are wrong.**  I teach junior high and high school boys.  They have been talking about this game for weeks.  Some of them camped out on a school night to make sure that they had it the day it came out.  Once they acquired the game, all they could do was talk about its greatness, compare notes, and make plans for their all-night game fest to be held this weekend.  If only they were this enthusiastic about their school work!  I would like to share with you a piece of a conversation I had yesterday with some of those students.

Boys: Mrs. S, did you get the new game this week? 
Me: No, I didn't.
Boys: Do you even play video games?
Me: I play a mean game of Tetris, but that is about it. My husband plays them though.
Boys: Does he like this new game?
Me: Yes, he enjoys military games.
Boys: Awesome! The graphics in this one are sick! The guys really look dead when you shoot them!
Me: I am glad you are enjoying your new game.  However, have you thought about the fact that, for some people, that kind of situation isn't a game?  It is their real job.  Soldiers risk their lives for the people of this country, including you, on a daily basis.  And, in real combat, there isn't a restart button. 
Boys: ..........

The silence was epic.  I went on to tell them about my family members in the armed forces.  How my grandfather served in the Army, was injured in battle, and was so affected by what he experienced that he wouldn't speak of it...even to our family.  How my cousin missed the birth of his first child earlier this year because he was serving in Afghanistan.  I shared with them the very real tragedy of PTSD and how it can impact soldiers and their families for the rest of their lives.  Thankfully, they listened.  they began to share about the veterans in their own families.  I watched them start to put a few more pieces of their "life puzzle" together as they realized that combat isn't just a video game.  That is a pretty cool experience...gives me chills every time I get to witness it.  I hope they left my room that day with a new-found respect for the soldiers they portray in their game.

Soldiers make great heroes, because they are real people...who have chosen to give more than they receive.  Thank you, veterans, for your great and sacrificial service to our country.     

We The People

I love to vote.  It is one of my greatest joys in life.  The feeling I get when I step into the ballot box, cast my vote, and walk out with my super cool "I Voted" sticker is almost euphoric.  We, as citizens, have the opportunity to impact change.  That is, in a word, awesomesauce.  I take very seriously my responsibility as a voter.  I study the state questions carefully...research the candidates...and attend town hall meetings.  I watch the returns with great anticipation and cheer when the outcomes reflect my votes.  I had my voter registration card filled out and ready to submit the day I turned 18.  I believe it is vital that young people clue in and pay attention to what is going on our country/the world...even if they are not yet old enough to vote.  What is happening in Washington and state capitals has such a direct impact on them!  I got to have an amazing conversation today with a group of high school students who will get to vote for the very first time in next year's presidential election.  They are excited, interested, and intelligent.  Wooo-to the-hooo!!!  It was so encouraging to spend time in meaningful, political conversation with the future of our country!!  I choose to believe that they are not the exception.  Take a cue from my rock star students...pay attention and get involved!  If you choose not to vote, you give up your voice.  I don't know about you, but I hate it when other people try to speak on my behalf. Parents, talk with your kids about the things happening in the world.  And be prepared....you might learn something in the process. Your vote is your voice...so speak up!!

I have a dream...

I teach a foreign language to junior high and high school students…I teach English.  In my English III class, which looks at American literature, we have been talking about dreams--the dreams of a people wanting to rise up against tyranny and oppression to create a new nation; the dreams of a people seeking to be acknowledged and respected as equals; the dreams of people seeking adventure in new and undiscovered territories.  We have discussed how it is important to lift up our comrades and help them achieve their dreams. Today, I had them write about their own dreams, big and small.  What do they aspire to accomplish…how do they plan to accomplish it…how can we be an encouragement to you as you work to accomplish it?  As they often do, they asked me the same question.  “What is one of your dreams Mrs. S?”   I could have shared some of the more obvious and “grown-up” dreams—to have a family, build a home, get out of debt—but, in a desire to bolster those who have what they consider to be lesser dreams, I shared a special dream…one that is very real and significant to me.  I will now share that dream with you.

I desperately want to be on Wheel of Fortune.  I watch it every evening…and I am good at it.  I get angry at the contestants when they ask for absurd letters…or spin for more money on a prize puzzle when the answer is obvious…or spend money on obvious vowels.  I dream about the sparkly million dollar wedge and whether I would risk it all in the mystery round. I.Love.That.Show. 

After sharing this dream with my students…they laughed and called me a “word nerd.”  Perhaps I need to spend some time tomorrow discussing the definition of the word encouragement.   :/

New Adventures

The past couple of years have been chalked full of new adventures in my life--new husband, new job, new town.  I have pondered the idea of sharing my adventures, questions, opinions, etc. with the masses in a forum like this for a while, but convinced myself that no one would be interested and I would be writing to the void.  Recently, I decided...so what! If the only person to see this is my husband (I believe that there was something about blogging in our wedding vows), then so be it.  Writing is good, free medicine...and we all know how difficult that is to find.  So, off I go. I don't have a specific "theme" for this blog...I imagine it will be somewhat of a Seinfeld of blogs...and I am ok with that.  I will most likely share interesting classroom experiences, funny things about myself and the crazy questions I am constantly asking, and general observations of the world.  About the title.  I had many catchy blog title ideas...that others had apprently already come up with.  So, I went to one of my favorite quotes from one of my favorite people.  Albert Einstein was one ridiculously intelligent and cooky dude...I like him...a lot.  I love how he said what he thought and didn't worry so much about backlash. My favorite quote, listed below, is one that I have claimed as a teacher, but also applies to so many other aspects of life.  I hope it speaks to you as it does to me...after all, do we really want fish in trees?

"Everyone is a genius but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree it will spend its whole life believing it is stupid." Albert Einstein