2 Days ’til 40: 40 Favorite Posts from My 400 Days ’til 40 Journey

I must say that it was much easier to choose 40 photos than to choose 40 posts!  One of the fun things about this particular journey is that I allowed myself to write (or post photos) about whatever I felt on any particular day.  As a result, I have a wide array of followers who each connect in different ways to what I write – this has been amazing.  I imagine that in the future, as I become a bit more focused, I may have a less diverse group of readers, though I hope not!

Here is my top 40 list of posts, hopefully as eclectic as my readers are.  Some I chose because of the importance of the content, some because they make me laugh (yes, I realize that I have a weird sense of humor that others do not always appreciate) and some because I like the way the words flow.

 

7 Days ’til 40: Defining Love

Today I have decided to re-post my Valentine’s Day post from last year (373 Days ’til 40: Defining Love), as I believe this is such a critical concept that so many of us still need to grasp (with a few edits).

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8 Days ’til 40: Why Can’t I Win the Lottery??!!?? :(

Yesterday I did not get something I wanted.  My initial gut-level reaction was to launch into a full-fledged pity party, complete with pouting and sulking.  WHY CAN’T I WIN THE LOTTERY???  SOMEONE has to win it, why is that someone ALWAYS someone else and never me???  (And no, it has nothing to do with the fact that I rarely buy tickets, because rarely is not never, it is just not often).  Recently I bought a lottery ticket and I was very disappointed that I did not win.  In fact, I may have even been a tad depressed that I did not win…..  I really, really, REALLY WANTED to win (note, a want is very different from a NEED).

 

9 Days ’til 40: I Am My Own Cheerleader

 

Okay, so maybe I am not – but I should be.  This is a concept that has been more clearly solidified for me during my past year of blogging.  External encouragement feels great, but it is the internal motivation and self-encouragement and self-inspiration that are critical to life’s journey.

Fall seven times, stand up eight. ~ Japanese Proverb

Instead of giving myself reasons why I can’t, I give myself reasons why I can. ~ Author Unknown

 

22 Days ’til 40: Slowing Down

I think one of the occupational hazards of educational administration that I did not reference in my recent post is slowing down (or, rather, lack thereof).  I love my job.  The students, teachers, and parents in our community really are special.  They come together and support each other, sometimes in the midst of very trying life circumstances.  Another thing I appreciate about our community is its diversity.  I work in a place that celebrates and honors differences – in colors, abilities, religion, etc.  As a result, we are a community that is rich – we learn from each other.

 

43 Days ’til 40: Making Chores Fun

 

I LOVE it when my daughters teach me important lessons or remind me of lessons I have previously learned, but somehow “forgotten” as I go about my daily routine.  The photos I have included in this blog are visual representations of the lesson my older daughter reminded me of this week: Chores should be fun!  

 

53 Days ’til 40: What is His Story?

I have not worked as a counselor in an official capacity for almost four years (yes, it is true that my current job in educational leadership does lend itself to many counseling moments).  That said, I no longer consider myself a counseling professional, I now consider myself a broader “educational professional”.  Yet, I have these moments when I find myself slipping back into that counseling role.  The interesting thing is that I slip into the counseling role in the strangest of places (can you relate?)  It does not necessarily happen at staff or parents meetings exclusively.  Sometimes, I find myself in counselor mode on the weekends or while on vacation – far away from my professional realities.  Yesterday was one of those days.

 

73 Days ’til 40: Turning Down the (Emotional) Heat

 

 

When you can’t make them see the light, make them feel the heat. ~ Ronald Reagan

When the water starts boiling it is foolish to turn off the heat. ~ Nelson Mandela

I am a leader.  Leaders always get heat.  They’re always going against the grain.  Jimi Hendrix got heat; Bob Marley got heat; Miles Davis got heat.  Every great artist got heat.  Heat means you’re doing something right. ~ Ziggy Marley

 

76 Days ’til 40: Rejection Sucks

 

Over the past few months I have been debating the possibility of expanding my professional repertoire and challenging myself with additional opportunities.  Simple, huh?  It is NOT at all simple.  In my particular case, I needed to work out an agreement with someone willing to expose me to new circumstances and opportunities.  I had to find a perfect learning partner combination.

 

86 Days ’til 40: Hug Therapy

 

A hug is like a boomerang – you get it back right away.  ~ Bil Keane

That’s what people do who love you. They put their arms around you and love you when you’re not so lovable. ~ Deb Caletti

If you’re angry at a loved one, hug that person. And mean it. You may not want to hug – which is all the more reason to do so. It’s hard to stay angry when someone shows they love you, and that’s precisely what happens when we hug each other. ~ Walter Anderson