Thanks Tim McGraw!

Everyone who knows me knows that I am a huge country music fan. Traditional, Mainstream, and Red Dirt, I like them all.  On Tuesday, a song that Tim McGraw recorded, Humble and Kind, came on the radio as Troy and I were driving home from a Lion's Club Noon Luncheon in Northeast Richland Hills.   I'm not sure if y'all have heard the song Humble and Kind, but this blog entry has been inspired by this AWESOME song as well as several of my friends daily positive quotes on Facebook.  Take a look and listen to the song and video for Humble and Kind by clicking the youtube link below.

Tim McGraw, June 9, 2012

Humble and Kind

As Humble and Kind was playing on the radio, I began to reflect back on hearing Michael Jernigan speak.  Michael, a United States Marine, who was the first United States Service Member to loose both his eyes in Iraq in August, 2004, is always a motivating treat to get to speak to and hear. Michael faced his adversity, worked hard, dreamed big, and believed in himself and through this, he regained a "vision of success" for his life.  Funny this is, I tell my students this all the time!  We can't control what has already happened to us in this crazy world that we live in, BUT we can begin to control the outcome and one way to start is by being humble and kind. 

Michael Jernigan and Guide Dog Treasure
Picture by Deena Hall

Being humble and kind can mean so many things to so many people.  I really listened to this song again and this is my list of what being humble and kind means to me.
1.  Always remember your roots and where you came from.
2.  Be there to help others and teach others what life has taught you.
3.  Learn from people in your life.  People don't just come into our life without a reason.
4.  Be polite and use your manners.
5.  Be nice to everyone because you don't know what mountains they are having to climb.
6.  Be proud of accomplishments but don't get cocky.
7.  Work hard for things that you want in life and don't hold any grudges.
8.  Remember the simple things in life and savor the moment.


I guess what I am trying to say is we could really begin to solve a lot of today's problems in our world by just doing the right thing and being nice to one another.  My challenge to you, as well as myself, is to be the someone that makes someone else smile and pass that kindness on while being humble and kind.

Downtime and Goodbyes

School is out, but everyone knows that teachers don't usually stop for more than a few weeks.  Right now, I am in my down time...TOTAL DOWN TIME....think sleeping till 7:00 am, taking a nap by 9:00 am and still in PJ's at 11:00 am.

During my "down time" this morning, I read our Puppy Land Progress Puppy Raiser Newsletter that comes each month.  This newsletter is written by Leslie Shepard, Director of Puppy Raising Services at Southeastern Guide Dogs.  There are other writers who add to the newsletter each month, but Leslie's part is always the monthly "opener".  I really enjoy reading what Leslie writes.  She is real and I feel she writes from the heart.  This is something I tell my 2nd graders when I am working on writing with them...This year, I said, "when you write, dig down deep so your feelings go into your pencil and on to your paper."  I felt lots of feelings when I read Leslies "article" or writing this morning...its not really an article, but its usually motivating and informative.  It hit home with me because it was about "goodbyes".

We experience "goodbyes" each year our classrooms as teachers.   I choose not to say goodbye to my kids, yes, MY kids...every kiddo I have taught will always be MY kid.  Instead of goodbye, I say, "see ya later" or "I will see you in August."  I do this with my guide dog puppies I train each year as well. Instead of goodbye at Guide Dog University (aka In For Training time), it's usually,  "BE good, do your best, be nice to your roomie and your CCTs (Canine Care Technicians) and of course your Trainers..oh, and when they test your house manners, PLEASE don't act cray cray and please show them you do have wonderful house manners and were not raised like a "cave puppy" with no manners (think Prehistoric Cave Man), I love you soo much, and finally, I will see you on Puppy Raiser Day.  The last day of school is just like Guide Dog University.  You cry, you love on your kids, you pray that they don't loose much of what you taught them and they make you proud next year, you tell them to read everyday during the summer and practice their multiplication facts, and with one last hug, they disappear out of sight as they leave to go home for the summer.

Another thing that hit close to my heart this morning was a quote from Winnie the Pooh.

My favorite Disney character, Winnie the Pooh, is also one of my favorite philosophers.   As Leslie stated in the PLProgress Report, we are super lucky to have loved something soo much for a year that saying goodbye is soo hard.  Once again, I have my pups for a year and my kids for a year.  In that year, I try to teach them EVERYTHING they will need to know to be successful in their next chapter of this book that we call LIFE.  Sometimes, some listen more than others.  Some keep on the path I set them on in second grade, others veer of the path and their life takes a "detour" or in a different direction other than the direction that I wanted them to take, BUT I still love them and know that a piece of my heart is always going to be with them.   Y'all, blood, sweat, love, and tears goes into raising puppies and teaching kids!  I never really sat down to compare them until now.  

I think I am back on the blogging band wagon, at least for the summer or until my life turns crazy busy with school and kids in August.  Until my next entry...