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Every two weeks we will tackle a Life Lesson.  Respond to the prompt and comment on at least one other person's response.
Complete by the following dates:
January 29 = Life Lesson #1
February 12 = Life Lesson #2
February 26 = Life Lesson #3
March 12 = Life Lesson #4
March 26 = Life Lesson #5 & Call to Action

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THE COFFEE BEAN by: Jon Gordon and Damon West

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I'm doing well with keeping in shape physically - for an almost 45 year old - that is. ;)
To take care of my mental state I've worked hard on my mindfulness practices both at home and at school for several years now.
Spirituality is an area that I struggle with...
For some spirituality means being religious, or following the rules of a religion or belief in God or higher being.
As an adult I've been searching, questioning and evolving my idea of spirituality.
For me it is meditation and yoga.

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I spend time and work hard to exercise daily which helps me physically and mentally. I know I need to work out because when I don't, I get anxious. Spirituality is something I need to focus on. After Covid, I have many questions as to how my family was so blessed to not be a statistic. I need to remind myself that there are greater powers at work and be thankful for life in general, regardless of if my questions are answered.

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I spend time and work hard to exercise daily which helps me physically and mentally. I know I need to work out because when I don't, I get anxious. Spirituality is something I need to focus on. After Covid, I have many questions as to how my family was so blessed to not be a statistic. I need to remind myself that there are greater powers at work and be thankful for life in general, regardless of if my questions are answered.

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Beth :-)

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I have a regular practice of what Hal Elrod calls Life SAVERS where I incorporate Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (journaling) into my morning routine. The days where I do this I feel an abundance of joy, energy, and positivity! I definitely need to curtail my news watching and mindless social media scrolling because it has a detrimental effect on me emotionally and spiritually, so this is something I want to work on most. ~Carly

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I have a regular practice of what Hal Elrod calls Life SAVERS where I incorporate Silence, Affirmations, Visualization, Exercise, Reading, and Scribing (journaling) into my morning routine. The days where I do this I feel an abundance of joy, energy, and positivity! I definitely need to curtail my news watching and mindless social media scrolling because it has a detrimental effect on me emotionally and spiritually, so this is something I want to work on most. ~Carly

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I'm doing well mentally this year. With how blended my life has felt with teaching online most of the year, I've made a habit of forcing myself to stop working through the evening and night. Instead, I'm prioritizing my own mental health.

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I'm doing well mentally this year. With how blended my life has felt with teaching online most of the year, I've made a habit of forcing myself to stop working through the evening and night. Instead, I'm prioritizing my own mental health.

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For me the area that needs the most attention is my physical wellbeing. I've stopped exercising and have been binge eating snack foods throughout this dark fall and winter of COVID. I bought a healthier eating cookbook and I'm trying to cook thru the recipes in the New Year like in Julie and Julia but without all the blogging.
-Mike

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I feel I done well with the physical part - since March 14 I have exercised some way each day.  I think this has definitely helped with the mental part of my day, too! 

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I feel I done well with the physical part - since March 14 I have exercised some way each day.  I think this has definitely helped with the mental part of my day, too! 

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For me it seems to rotate depending on the day or month. I do not feel I have found the balance  to do all three of these things well and consistently. I continue to work to find ways to apply all three areas in my daily life.

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I feel that my strength is mentally. I have always been a very positive person and steer from negativity. This helps be get through tough days. I always find something to positive/funny/exciting to reflect on and share.  My weakness would have to be  physically. I have been stuck in a rut and I'm struggling getting out of my bad habits. I have a hard time finding motivation and time to incorporate physical activity into my day and my eating habits have decrease since my busy schedule of "fall" has occurred. I plan to find time in my day to strengthen my physical health. ~ Olivia 

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I feel that my strength is mentally. I have always been a very positive person and steer from negativity. This helps be get through tough days. I always find something to positive/funny/exciting to reflect on and share.  My weakness would have to be  physically. I have been stuck in a rut and I'm struggling getting out of my bad habits. I have a hard time finding motivation and time to incorporate physical activity into my day and my eating habits have decrease since my busy schedule of "fall" has occurred. I plan to find time in my day to strengthen my physical health. ~ Olivia 

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I feel mentally stronger this past year than I have in the past several years.  I have learned to relax, not to stress out , overthink about things I can't control. I still have days where this happens. Working on myself physically is my next goal. Right now I'm making small changes in my diet. I need to find time to get into the gym or at home exercises.

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I feel that my strength is being in shape spiritually and mentally. When I get overwhelmed, I often think of the positives in my life.
My weakness is physically in shape. I was doing great prior to finding out I was pregnant and COVID. Before the gyms closed, I stopped going because of the unknowns of COVID and pregnancy.  I would work out at home, but it was not the same. I am a social person, so working out alone (because we only have one set of everything at home) is boring to me. When I attended the gym regularly, I would always work out in a group setting. I need to create a plan and stick to it!

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When I think of the 2020-2021 school year, this meme pretty much sums up how I feel. This is fine! (Scroll down)

I feel like I have done a good job physically and spiritually. Both are definitely a mood booster for me. Moving forward I would like to give more attention to myself mentally. Online teaching is hard. It is everything I am against in K. I often feel like I am not doing enough or doing it right, whatever right is. I know I need to give myself more grace and know I am doing the best I can.

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I have had many ups and downs with my mental well being through all of this chaos of COVID.  Working out daily helps clear my head and prepare me for the day but sometimes it is hard to feel like everything is ok.  I miss my family so much and that has been exceptionally difficult on my mental well being.  My parents are very cautious and nervous and that has been stressful for all of us.  When I am at work with the kiddos my mental well being feels the most intact:)

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I have had many ups and downs with my mental well being through all of this chaos of COVID.  Working out daily helps clear my head and prepare me for the day but sometimes it is hard to feel like everything is ok.  I miss my family so much and that has been exceptionally difficult on my mental well being.  My parents are very cautious and nervous and that has been stressful for all of us.  When I am at work with the kiddos my mental well being feels the most intact:)

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Sheri

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Life Lesson #1 - I can definitely say that out of the three options mentioned, I am the most secure in the Spiritual realm. For me this is it, it is the air that I breathe, the thoughts that I think, the guidelines that I use to try to make sense out of chaos. And it is the hope and promise of eternity in glory. I chose to listen to praise music daily and to fill my thoughts on things that are from above. I am looking forward to the day when I can attend church services in person again but I am very thankful that through technology I have been able to connect to services all over the country virtually. The area that I should give more attention to is the physical one. Exercising is not on my priority list and sweating is not my thing.

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This is Roger (Gayle helped me set up the Padlet so I appear as her)

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This is Roger (Gayle helped me set up the Padlet so I appear as her)

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I truly try to continuously improve in all aspects of my life.  Lately, really since my stroke, my primary focus and what I consider the area I'm doing the best in, is my spiritual life.  Despite Covid and it's negative impact on church services, I've found several ways to continue to "get in shape" spiritually.  Jess and I joined a marriage themed bible study centered around Emerson Eggerich's work on Love and Respect.  There are seven other couples in the group and it has been amazing!!, In addition I've been meeting with a men's bible study group which has 11 awesome men of God working hard to help each other learn and grow spiritually.  The group has been in person, virtual and back again based on the rules of the day but we've stuck together and continue to meet every Wednesday morning before work.

The area I need the most attention on is my mentality. Despite working out physically 4 days a week and all the spiritual exercises I mentioned I have never needed to focus so intently on my mentality.  My anxiety is higher than ever, my stamina for our reality is waning and I'm ready to get back to controlling my own life and outcomes.  Our current school restrictions are most difficult for me to deal with mentally because my personal life is so "normal," that coming back to school is such a reminder of our restrictions that I need to muster up the positivity which used to come more naturally.

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The pandemic has been a bit  chaotic, so I have not yet started, but I have been in contact with House of Providence to help tutor the kids who are staying there. 

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The pandemic has been a bit  chaotic, so I have not yet started, but I have been in contact with House of Providence to help tutor the kids who are staying there. 

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I've always felt it hard to incorporate all three of these things into my daily life. Since COVID I seem to be struggling more with the physical and spiritual. Not being able to attend church regularly has made me feel like I'm not practicing my faith like I have in the past. I need to get back to eating healthier. too. But on the bright side I feel like I'm mentally doing well and have found ways to deal with stress more than I have in the past.

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I feel that although the pandemic has challenged my mental and physical well-being, I have become stronger spiritually in the way I have had to learn to trust things are happening for a reason. I have had time to reflect on this really hard and challenging time as a time that brought me closer to understanding other people and their situations and what they are going through, instead of just focusing on myself.

I could use to work on staying out of my own head mentally but I find that being at work with students helps me stay distracted and so does exercise and eating well. Sometimes when I’m feeling exhausted or overwhelmed I forget that those things really help me!
-Andrea

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After I had my heart attack, I reconnected with my spiritual side (that I had neglected for a long time). I look forward to reading my daily messages and my talks with God. I try to give it all to him and not take it back; which, helps my mental state too. However, sometimes I'm not as good at that as I should be. lol  I've been better at eating healthier but not good about the physical exercise. I need to work on that because when I do make time to exercise it does help improve my mental state of being too. My son, Joshua, is creating a workout plan for me that I can do at home without any gym equipment and NO I'm not using the deadlift weight that he made. lol  I miss my family gatherings and seeing my sisters and brothers. I haven't seen one of my sisters in over a year. I can't wait for all of us to be together again.  <3

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After I had my heart attack, I reconnected with my spiritual side (that I had neglected for a long time). I look forward to reading my daily messages and my talks with God. I try to give it all to him and not take it back; which, helps my mental state too. However, sometimes I'm not as good at that as I should be. lol  I've been better at eating healthier but not good about the physical exercise. I need to work on that because when I do make time to exercise it does help improve my mental state of being too. My son, Joshua, is creating a workout plan for me that I can do at home without any gym equipment and NO I'm not using the deadlift weight that he made. lol  I miss my family gatherings and seeing my sisters and brothers. I haven't seen one of my sisters in over a year. I can't wait for all of us to be together again.  <3

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I've felt helpless during the pandemic in terms of helping others. After having Covid, I found that the Red Cross is in need convalescent plasma, so I signed up and will attempt to donate today (2/2/21). My hope is that my plasma can help those fighting Covid right now. 

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I've felt helpless during the pandemic in terms of helping others. After having Covid, I found that the Red Cross is in need convalescent plasma, so I signed up and will attempt to donate today (2/2/21). My hope is that my plasma can help those fighting Covid right now. 

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Being a new mom has really limited my time currently to volunteer. Also, being in a pandemic with a couple immunocompromised relatives has limited my volunteering experiences. I currently donate to help serve others. Over the summer, I spent time cleaning out my closet to donate old clothes that I do not wear anymore. When I come across GoFundMe accounts for people in need, I often donate. I am not sure when I will have more availability to volunteer, but until then I plan on donating to help others whether it is money or other items.

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I plan on serving others by teaching and putting 110% of my energy into my work. Beyond teaching, I have no energy left.

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I try my best to balance serving my students and families here at school with the needs of my own family and myself, too. Macomb Foster Closet is one of my favorite organizations to donate to, as it helps provide essential items (pajamas, blankets, diapers, etc.) to children entering into new foster homes that are new and unfamiliar. ~Carly

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I have really tried to go the extra step to make people smile and feel loved during this difficult time.  Whether it was delivering Christmas Eve dinner to my aunt who otherwise would have been alone or surprising my family members and friends with treats and a song on their birthdays.  I have included my boys in these events so that they know that even these little things that take a little extra effort can make a huge impact on someone's day or even life.

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I have really tried to go the extra step to make people smile and feel loved during this difficult time.  Whether it was delivering Christmas Eve dinner to my aunt who otherwise would have been alone or surprising my family members and friends with treats and a song on their birthdays.  I have included my boys in these events so that they know that even these little things that take a little extra effort can make a huge impact on someone's day or even life.

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This instance stands out in my head.
One day last school year, a week before Valentine’s Day, I found out my special was going to be canceled. As most teachers, we value that time to get work done. I decided to take this opportunity to look at the positive. There was one Valentine’s Day craft/challenge that I wanted my class to do that wouldn’t fit into our Valentine’s Day party. I was very excited that I could use this time for my students to complete the craft/challenge. My excitement was mimicked by the students as they were excited to spend time doing something creative!

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I am doing my best to shop and donate to our local businesses and restaurants in Romeo during these trying times. Of course this is a win for me too, because I get to enjoy the food and products.:) 

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I am doing my best to shop and donate to our local businesses and restaurants in Romeo during these trying times. Of course this is a win for me too, because I get to enjoy the food and products.:) 

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I feel that I am excelling spiritually. Just before COVID, Ben and I were part of a marriage class through our church. During this time we felt that we were drawn closer together in our faith. While many families and marriages struggled during the shutdown, we appreciated the time together. We are fortunate that our church has been open for many months for in-person services. Each week, we look forward to the time spent together through worship and fellowship.

The area that I need the most improvement in is mentally. I feel that my stress and mental anguish stems from social media’s presence in my life. I always struggle with “turning off” when I come home from work or when something happens that I don’t understand or don’t agree with. I am very analytical and have a hard time letting go of things that I can’t control. To help with this, many months ago I deleted/deactivated every social media account that I had. Additionally, I exclusively listen to Christian music or podcasts on my phone. This has allowed me to spend more quality time with my husband and family and keep my heart “in check”.

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During COVID, a married couple that Ben and I are extremely close with began struggling when one of them spiraled into severe alcoholism. We made sure that our home was a safe haven for his wife when she needed to get away from the house and joined them on many trips to the hospital for detox. Throughout this time, we made sure that we were available day and night to share a meal, offer a listening ear, and ensure both of their safety. We are so thankful that he was ultimately admitted to a year long rehabilitation program where they could together heal from the weight that addiction placed on their marriage and faith. Though most of our time and energy was only focused into serving this one couple, we have continued to support local businesses and participate in donation of time, money, resources and prayer through our church.

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It has been very difficult to be able to help and serve others during Covid.  I have done my best to run errands for my parents when at their request.  Recently we found out my sister in law has stage 0 breast cancer. Prior to her surgery and treatment my family banned together and bought her some snacks, blankets, etc   to have during her recovery. All volunteering to take her to and from doctor appointments. 

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It has been very difficult to be able to help and serve others during Covid.  I have done my best to run errands for my parents when at their request.  Recently we found out my sister in law has stage 0 breast cancer. Prior to her surgery and treatment my family banned together and bought her some snacks, blankets, etc   to have during her recovery. All volunteering to take her to and from doctor appointments. 

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One way that I love serving others is by donating my hair. Not many people are able to do that and it gives me so much joy when I'm able to do this. (It will be happening soon :)  )

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One way that I love serving others is by donating my hair. Not many people are able to do that and it gives me so much joy when I'm able to do this. (It will be happening soon :)  )

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Summer will hopefully be a safer time and a bit more "normal." I'm planning to spend as much time as I can with my best friend (lives in Chicago) from college who is fighting for her life with ovarian cancer that has spread to other organs, as well. She is beyond brave and continues to be the most amazing mama, friend, wife, daughter, etc.

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In a bible study a couple weeks ago we discussed serving others one of the guys in our group talked about how he isn't in a position to financially help others and he wishes is was. We had shared some ways we had all helped others over the holidays and my family and I were very fortunate to have been able to help several families through this difficult Holiday season. It was a good experience for my family and children to see how we could help others. The guy who shared his story and didn't have the chance to help others financially had been visiting (safely and socially distanced) sick and elderly friends and doing amazing acts of service. Our discussion led to the concept of serving others with our presence can be way more powerful and difficult to do than giving financial resources. Ultimately I found myself so impressed by my friend's service to others through his time and presence something I don't think I did a great job with. I was able to help others which felt great and I know the individuals were appreciative of, but I'm working on learning to serve others with my time (in my opinion the most valuable resource we have).

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First off I LOVE CONTROL!! Over the years I've learned how powerful it is and I've learned that the only things I can control are the 4 things above.  Knowing that if you are trying to control things beyond those 4 will only cause disappointment and conflict is what has helped me more than anything else.  I think I used to try and control things outside of those 4 and that is always bad. Plus, I have so much work to do with the 4 things I can control that anything else is just a distraction from what really matters.
When my daughter Brooke was diagnosed with Type I diabetes I wanted more than anything to control everything and ensure she was going to be safe and healthy.  It was heart wrenching to watch my beautiful little girl go from happy and normal to someone who was dependent on insulin and shots to survive.  Despite the the emotions I was dealing with I had to make a decision to speak, feel and think positively.  I also had to empower my daughter to manage her own disease, learn how to treat herself and control her outcomes through smart choices about food and a deep knowledge of physiology that most 10 year olds don't need to have.  I wanted so badly to do it all for her to prove to her that I could keep her safe but I knew in the long run I would just be putting her in jeopardy.  Controlling what I thought, said, felt and did led to my 18 year old daughter being a college freshmen who uses her Type I diabetes as part of her story that led her to God, responsibility and independence and I couldn't be more proud!

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My mantra this year has been to "Control the Controllables!" Over the years I've learned that the things I tended to worry about and stress over were out of my hands anyway (i.e. my own two kids, Ben and Jessie, getting along, my husband and my job security, other people's reactions, etc.). I've learned that I can only control myself and my reactions, so I've been focusing more on that. I can't quite provide an example, but I WILL say that being more mindful and in-tune with my self-talk, my thoughts (both positive and negative), and my feelings has been liberating and has made me a calmer more present mom and teacher! ~Carly

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Honestly, the whole year with Covid in our lives can make me feel powerless. There is so much that I can't control, that I've started reminding myself to just take one day at a time. This is extremely helpful, especially because laws and regulations concerning Covid change daily. When this first began last year, I was extremely anxious. Realizing that there was nothing I could change about it, I tried my best to focus on positives: Being blessed to have more time to spend with my daughter, appreciating my husband more, and trying my best to reach out to others to offer support. ~Beth

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Honestly, the whole year with Covid in our lives can make me feel powerless. There is so much that I can't control, that I've started reminding myself to just take one day at a time. This is extremely helpful, especially because laws and regulations concerning Covid change daily. When this first began last year, I was extremely anxious. Realizing that there was nothing I could change about it, I tried my best to focus on positives: Being blessed to have more time to spend with my daughter, appreciating my husband more, and trying my best to reach out to others to offer support. ~Beth

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It is sometimes too easy to let life take control of you.  I have tried to be deliberate in trying to realize what I have control over (my reactions) and to respond in a positive way.  I can't say it always works (sometimes my work stress compounds and my family does one simple thing to annoy me and I take it out on them), but I do believe I am gaining more control and getting better at it! I am a definite believer this year in the power of positive! - Kelly

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It is sometimes too easy to let life take control of you.  I have tried to be deliberate in trying to realize what I have control over (my reactions) and to respond in a positive way.  I can't say it always works (sometimes my work stress compounds and my family does one simple thing to annoy me and I take it out on them), but I do believe I am gaining more control and getting better at it! I am a definite believer this year in the power of positive! - Kelly

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It's taken me a long to realize in life that I cannot be more than one person. (ALSO goes back to control in lesson #3...I am not able to control what others do.)  I have wanted situations to "work out" in certain ways.  Many times I have chosen to look upon situations or relationships in terms of how I WANT them to be, instead of realizing what they REALLY are.  When I have learned to let go of the delusions of what things could have, should have,  or would have been...I can live today and not let yesterday ruin today's peace.

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Hearing Damon West's story is an extreme example of how someone didn't allow horrible choices of the past to be an excuse for not being the best version of themselves.  I find inspiration in those extreme examples and I'm motivated by knowing that we can be whatever we want at whatever time we choose. ~ Roger 

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Hearing Damon West's story is an extreme example of how someone didn't allow horrible choices of the past to be an excuse for not being the best version of themselves.  I find inspiration in those extreme examples and I'm motivated by knowing that we can be whatever we want at whatever time we choose. ~ Roger 

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There are days that it is difficult coming to work for whatever reason - and having a teammates makes such a huge difference in how I face my day!  A big smile and heart-felt hello mean the world! 

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There are days that it is difficult coming to work for whatever reason - and having a teammates makes such a huge difference in how I face my day!  A big smile and heart-felt hello mean the world! 

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When I was younger, I did not really take my education seriously. I liked school, but I didn't think my grades really mattered. I would often not study for my tests, then be very upset about not getting a good grade. Once I went to college, I started making smarter choices about school. I studied daily! I had a goal to complete the 5 year degree (including student teaching) in 4 years! I did it and graduated Magna Cum Laude!

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I had a difficult day on March 6th. I opened up my new drivers license and put it in my coat pocket. I went to Kroger to buy birthday supplies for Dominic's (husband) birthday. Then, I picked up Louie from the groomer. While in the parking lot of the groomer, I realized my license was GONE! I literally just put it in my coat pocket an hour before. In other words, I was extremely grumpy! Fast forward to after dinner at my parents house, I was playing with Louie (dog) and a duck toy. I squeaked the toy and Dominic (son) had his first belly laugh. It was the best thing I have ever heard! His smile and laughing switched my mood around completely!

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As we all know this job is tough, especially this year! Going back and forth from in person to virtual has been a challenge.  One of the biggest things I missed being virtual is seeing the faces of my co workers. Smiling faces in the hallway reminds me daily that we are in this together and together we can do this! 

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As we all know this job is tough, especially this year! Going back and forth from in person to virtual has been a challenge.  One of the biggest things I missed being virtual is seeing the faces of my co workers. Smiling faces in the hallway reminds me daily that we are in this together and together we can do this! 

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Sometimes I just need to stop and think of what I have learned over the years. I am the type of person who will forever remember any event where I messed up or was embarrassed.  Those emotions are so strong, I can immediately bring them forward any time I think of the event.  It has taken me a long time to realize that these events have helped shape me and as long as I have learned from my mistakes I do not have to let them define me!

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Sometimes I just need to stop and think of what I have learned over the years. I am the type of person who will forever remember any event where I messed up or was embarrassed.  Those emotions are so strong, I can immediately bring them forward any time I think of the event.  It has taken me a long time to realize that these events have helped shape me and as long as I have learned from my mistakes I do not have to let them define me!

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Reflecting on my career, certain individuals stand out in my mind as either always wearing a smile or never wearing a smile.  In retrospect I clearly can recall the difference in my own mood and mindset when I was around one or the other.  My energy was impacted either way!  Such a simple thing can have a huge impact on us as individuals and on those we interact with throughout our day.  Like Annie says, "You're never fully dressed without a smile!"

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Whenever something crazy happens that is out of my control and is upsetting I just say, "Well, I guess that settles that!" Then, I watch a YouTube video of one of my college friends dressed in one of my mom's old rompers saying "Well, I guess that settles that!" and I laugh and laugh until I feel better.

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I always like to smile. I actually used to be teased in school for smiling too much. But life is short and you never know what day will be your last so you might as well keep on smiling! I try not to be affected by the negative energy of others.

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This year has made me reflect on a year when I was 12/13 and I was obsessed with sanitizing my hands in school because we watched a video about superbug germs. I constantly sanitized my hands and was ridiculed for it...Then 2020 hit and the joke was on all of them and their dirty hands!

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My call to action is to participate in self care this summer. I'm always putting other people in my life first and running myself to the point of exhaustion. I'm excited to just breathe and enjoy the sunshine...hopefully.

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I have to get back to smiling.  I have found it more and more difficult to do this year.  Typically I was pretty comfortable smiling in the midst of crisis.  Even when I don't necessarily want to it still helps me feel better and I hope it has a positive impact on others.  (I've never really liked working for people who emotionally took their crisis out on me when I had nothing to do with it so I try really hard not to do that to others).  This year has been extremely difficult in that regard.  So my action step is to remember to be grateful regardless of the situation (it truly can always be worse) and smile through it all! ~ Roger

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A few years ago, I made the decision to attempt to simplify my life - not always easy (especially running around with three kids' events!) - but then the pandemic came and actually forced me to do this! It was definitely a blessing in that regard.  I do want to continue to make self-care a priority through exercise, eating (semi)healthy, and enjoying my friends and family. 

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A few years ago, I made the decision to attempt to simplify my life - not always easy (especially running around with three kids' events!) - but then the pandemic came and actually forced me to do this! It was definitely a blessing in that regard.  I do want to continue to make self-care a priority through exercise, eating (semi)healthy, and enjoying my friends and family. 

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This summer, I am planning to take care of myself better physically. I haven't set foot in a gym since the pandemic started and I feel bad spending time working out instead of being with my son. With the summer approaching, I am going to arrange time to work out in my basement during Dominic's daytime naps.

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A few years back I was BURNT OUT.  I had taught 15 years in the resource room at HP, and I was burning out!  I was constantly living to get to Friday. One morning I just decided I could not live for Friday anymore.  I was fortunate enough to be able to change positions and was refreshed as an ASP teacher at RMS.
Then last March hit us all!  UGH!
I have been living most of this school year back to the mindset of getting to Friday. I am working hard on my mindset and positivity to flip the switch in my brain. Still in the process...but it's getting better. Plus the beautiful spring weather has been a tremendous help! :)