I have been thinking a lot lately about relationships. I am probably a little naïve and don’t get out socially a lot, but I have been so impressed with this neighborhood since we have lived here. Out of all the places we have lived, this is the place where I have heard the least amount of gossip and backbiting. I hope that part of it might be me. I think I have learned a few things over the past few years. I have learned that it feels really, really good to think the best of others. I remember a conversation I had a few years ago where I was worried about what some people might possibly be thinking or saying about me. The person I was talking to gave me some great advice: just go into that situation imagining the best. Assume that they are saying and thinking nice things.
There is power in thinking the best of others. None of us always function at 100%, so I would hope that as I forgive and accept others’ actions, others would also give me the benefit of the doubt. I have heard a friend say a few times that a person was doing their best. That phrase is liberating. If we assume that others are giving the best effort that they can give, then we don’t harbor negative feelings and we learn to love people the way that God loves us. Wow! With all my weaknesses, I am so grateful for Heavenly Father and Christ’s unconditional love for me. I owe it to them to love others in that very same way. That is why I am here. Yes, I needed a physical body, but really, I am here to learn to love others.
There were a couple of times over the summer where I listened to some neighborhood gossip. I didn’t bring it on, but I was so frustrated that I hadn’t defended the person being talked about. I came home and decided that I needed to come up with something to say when that situation arises again. I am so grateful to realize that I want to feel at peace about others. We have such a merciful Father who helps us recognize things we need to work on. There are times when I need to vent about a frustration I have with someone, but it seems like there is a way you can do that without it being gossip. Maybe I only vent to one trusted person, and maybe I recognize that even though I am frustrated, the only person I can change is myself? Anyway, something to think about.
Monday, September 14, 2009
School musings (some sub-standard titles today - sorry!)
School started a little over three weeks ago. It finally feels like we are getting into a routine, and it is nice to have some one-on-one time with Adam and Garrett. I have had some mixed feelings about sending the kids back to school though. I enjoy having them around during the day. I like knowing who they are associating with, and I like knowing what they are doing and saying. You send them off to school and all of a sudden you have no idea what they are doing 6 ½ hours of the day! They are pretty cute though to answer my questions about who they play with at recess, what they like about their teachers, which specialist they visited during the day (computers, art, music, library, etc.).
A big huge positive about the school year is the kids’ teachers. When we went to register the kids in July, I was so excited to see that all of them had received the teachers I requested! In our six years here at Canyon, this is the first time that has happened. A friend of mine suggested that when I write down the reason for the request, I really take some time and come up with some good reasons, so I did, and then we also have a new principal this year and he seems to want parents to be happy. So, the happy thing is that I can enjoy the kids while they are home, and I know that they all have kind, nurturing teachers to hang out with during the day! Hooray!
It isn’t my first instinct to request teachers. Part of me asks myself what makes our kids so much more important than everyone else’s kids. But guess what! When I haven’t requested teachers for the kids, I feel like I have been burned because everyone else requests the experienced, kind teachers. One of the kids has had a first year teacher who had absolutely no control over the classroom, and the next year he had an intern who was so grumpy with them. Anyway, I will never again leave their elementary school teachers to chance.
I have heard my neighbor say a couple of times that it is nice if the kids learn something during the year, but she just wants a teacher who will be kind to her children. I agree. I would much rather have my kids in an environment where they felt accepted and loved than have them in an environment where they were learning their times tables but felt unappreciated and picked on.
A big huge positive about the school year is the kids’ teachers. When we went to register the kids in July, I was so excited to see that all of them had received the teachers I requested! In our six years here at Canyon, this is the first time that has happened. A friend of mine suggested that when I write down the reason for the request, I really take some time and come up with some good reasons, so I did, and then we also have a new principal this year and he seems to want parents to be happy. So, the happy thing is that I can enjoy the kids while they are home, and I know that they all have kind, nurturing teachers to hang out with during the day! Hooray!
It isn’t my first instinct to request teachers. Part of me asks myself what makes our kids so much more important than everyone else’s kids. But guess what! When I haven’t requested teachers for the kids, I feel like I have been burned because everyone else requests the experienced, kind teachers. One of the kids has had a first year teacher who had absolutely no control over the classroom, and the next year he had an intern who was so grumpy with them. Anyway, I will never again leave their elementary school teachers to chance.
I have heard my neighbor say a couple of times that it is nice if the kids learn something during the year, but she just wants a teacher who will be kind to her children. I agree. I would much rather have my kids in an environment where they felt accepted and loved than have them in an environment where they were learning their times tables but felt unappreciated and picked on.
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