Little wonders...

This is going to be short and to the point. It might be time to appreciate the little things in life, to appreciate those small wonders. Those simple moments when life is just good. There is a song by Rob Thomas that I just love called "Little Wonders" and it made me think of life and inspired me (as music usually does). **See lyrics below. 

My little wonder today was when I realized that being a teacher is full of little wonders. 

Tonight, a student of mine had her last home volleyball game and it was Senior Night. At the game each senior has a little bio about their time...and she mentioned that I was in hers- which might be akward because I was the one reading the bios. I thought nothing of it..but as I read it (and admittedly got a little choked up I realized that if she really felt this way...then my job was worth all the stress. 

Here is what she said " Ms. Lamb, it's impossible to accurately say how much you mean to me and to thank you for all you've done for me. You keep me focused, you keep pushing me to do better, and are always there for me when I need to vent. We laugh, cry and complain together and this relationship means the world to me." i love my Doopaloop. 

So I guess what I am saying is let it go, let everything bad go. Realize that you impact someone's life, that you make the world a better place. Realize that you are amazing and that the little wonders life has to offer, the small moments, the best friends, the unexpected friend...they are make this world worth living. 

With hope, love and faith,

Karen

Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And i don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end

Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain

All of my regret
Will wash away some how
But i can not forget
The way i feel right now

In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away but these small hours
These small hours, still remain,
Still remain
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders still remain

A certain something, certain.

A student recently said to me, "I truly believe that I can't do this, I just can't". This moment brought tears to my eyes as they expressed a feeling I was all to familiar with. 


I have a question. Why is it so easy to believe in others and not yourself? When it comes to faith, I have more than I can say in those around me. I have an amazing group of friends and family. Even when they disappoint me, I never seem to lose faith in them. In a fight with a friend once she accused me of having too high of expectations of others; she thought I expected too much from my friends. Could this be true? My only statement back (and something that I am not sure I should be proud of) is that I know my friends aren't mediocre, so why would I accept anything less from them and their actions. Sounds high and mighty, huh? Maybe it is, but it comes from the true belief that I know the greatest people on the planet. I don't expect perfection, just that they are good people or at least trying to be. I struggle with perfection myself, because I can't stand to let anyone down. I have this gift of being able to pick out the flaws in the things I do rather than see any value...it is just what I do. This is not something that I am complaining about...I have accepted it. Though I am sure it is still something that is annoying to my friends and family. I will say that I am fully aware of the stress these expectations have on my life. This might just be the first time that I wanted to believe in myself as much as those around me do. I can't promise that I will change overnight, or even that I will be successful...but then again that is okay because, I am not perfect. Where did this come from? Someone challenged me.." Believe in yourself, there is a reason why we do what we do, because people believe in us." A serious challenge...and if they are going to try then so can I (which shows the other flaw: my competitive nature). This person, lately, gets to see flaws that I am not very proud of  OR anything I would normally share and it doesn't seem to matter. Which shows me that even when I am at my worst and afraid I can't pick myself up...someone else believes that I can. 


This all makes me think of this song (which always happens)  and the lyrics read:
"We stumble into our lives:
Reach for a hand to hold.
And any wonder
We need to find
A certain something, certain.

Turn out the light
And what are you left with?
Open up my hands
And find out they're empty.
Press my face to the ground
I've gotta find a reason.
Just scratching around
For something to believe in:
Something to believe in."

So, I told that student, "I am going to believe in your until you believe for yourself. I will make you see that you were wrong. I believe you can do this."  They smiled and a day later came to thank me for believing. 


My challenge to you is also to believe in yourself. But also to believe in someone else, because when we start to doubt...a hand that reaches out to help can fix our ability to believe in ourselves. 




Oh, and thanks again to all my friends especially those who write me before an extraordinarily hard week and say, "This week will fly by. You’re the one for the job, so take a deep breath, sit back, and let it all happen."




Feeling blessed...


Lamb

'I get by with a little help from my friends...'

The last month has been ... interesting. Filled with many unexpected and stressful events. For those who know me, I will admit that things like this normally consume me...I tend to not sleep and be grumpy, even a little anti-social. Then the other day I was listening to music and got inspiration to get out of my funk. I love all types of music (well most) and there are days that it really speaks to me. It only took one line from the 'Beatles' - "I get by with a little help from my friends" to make me realize the riches that I have. 


I have such an amazing group of friends who come from all kinds of places and that I have met through all different avenues. 
I have this friend who I have know for almost 15 years and even I don't get to talk to them as often anymore it feels like we pick up right where we left off every single time. I also know that they get me and my history. They continually support and there is this unspoken bond between us. 
I have this other friend that I have known for a long time but haven't always been friends with. I couldn't really tell you why we weren't friends before, just the way things were I guess, but it suddenly feels like I don't know what I would do without them. They feel like a long lost family member I have always needed. 
There is this other friend who came out of left field and teaches me lessons everyday. They make me think for making them think (;o)) It is like our unexpected friendship was destiny because we both needed each other at the same time. 
I have this other friends who is a constant inspiration of positivity. They are continually genuine and kind...nothing ever changes it. Sure, they get frustrated but it never changes how they view this world in such a beautiful way. 
I have this other friend who when reading this will write me a small e-mail reassuring me in anything I have. They constantly support...and even when I am not the best to them - they never stop reassuring. 
I have another friend who so wisely instills their wisdom on my every day. Never afraid to send a stern message to relax and to enjoy life. They even wrote me an e-mail that I open up whenever I am feeling down...a short poem that makes me see things a little differently. 


The common thread through these people is that they believe in me continually. I am not even sure how I deserve this support but I definitely don't want to take it for granted. I want all my friends to know that I don't know what I would do without you. You are fun and smart...I know one great thing that I have done in my life is that I have surrounded myself with some of the most amazing people the world has to offer. 


I challenge each and every one of you to tell your friend, right now, that you love them and appreciate them. 


Without them...how else would you get by?