Springtime Bonversations

This past weekend was one for the books. Not because it was wild and crazy, or because something terribly dramatic or overly exciting happened....but because the essence of humanity was radiating.

I don't know what it is about Spring, but it brings out the joy in life. Sure, flowers and plants and trees will bloom and paint our city with bright colors and fragrant blossoms, but it does much more than that to me. So much more blooms. It's something about opening/rolling down windows, sun-kissed skin, a brighter sunrise, memorizing sunsets, the smell of cut grass, the feeling of my bare feet on the ground and my sense of contentment that really gets me. The anticipation of the sandy season where waves are the soundtrack of life...just amazing. It is the season we get to spend hours at the ball field, sitting on the porch taking in the magnificent canvas which we call the sky, and enjoying the simiple things in life.

This weekend we got to share some of our Springtime traditions with someone. From planting flowers, to sitting on the front porch doing nothing, to having fantastic "bonversations" (conversations around a bonfire), to grilling out and watching movies, to riding around in a car singing loudly. It was this weekend that I realized there is something about standing around a fire in good spirits talking about life, love, fellowship, experiences and sharing stories that makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. It promotes wonderfully intellectually stimulating and thought provoking conversations and enriches your soul, leaving you feeling like not a moment was wasted and all that is left is an open mind, fulfilled heart and lasting impressions and memories.

As I got to experience someone else experiencing what we find joyful, it hit me. Though very few people would choose not to feel joy, some may just not have the opportunities like other people have. There are people all around us that are thirsty for genuine joy, and the things we find simple may be overwhelming for others. To feel surrounded by love, generosity and acceptance is something many of us take for granted. Others don't have this...so while Spring is an open invitation for me to feel and radiate delight and optimism, it also gives me an opportunity to share it, spread it and encourage it.

Without going into detail about this house guest we had, I want to explain that this individual doesn't often get to experience the true nature of how good life can actually be, but for the love of all things worth anything, if I have anything to do with it, they will become comfortable with the corners of their mouth pointing up, with genuine acceptance of who they are, with what it means to really "live life and live it well" and become comfortable with feelings of happiness and joy. This person, along with two or three others, has taught me more about how to appreciate life in ALL that it has to offer, even the bad, than anyone else. To put it into perspective, MJ got this person a jar of honey peanut butter while she was at the store....this person lit up with appreciation and excitement, and at the same time had an overwhelming sense of acceptance. How many of you can say that you can appreciate small things like that? Well, I think it is about time you start learning because it is a beautiful thing to witness and feel.

MJ and I spoke in detail how nice it was to have this person over. Nice for so many reasons. But the fact that she accepted the opportunity with open arms and nurtured the situation made me so very very thankful that she is in my life. Don't get me wrong, I am thankful each and every day for her, but it is times and situations like this that make me press pause on life and just remember who she is down to her core...and I take that paused time to feel blessed beyond measure for getting to know a soul as beautiful as hers. Neither one of us walked on eggshells around our guest or treated them as if they were so fragile that we were afraid to break them. Nope, instead we were real...very very real and for many of you that know us, you know this person got a spoonful of smart ass comments, a belly full of food an earful of loud singing and fun-loving hospitality. I am pretty sure this was appreciated by our guest....and somewhat overwhelming (in a good way).

Long story short, I feel like our Spring has gotten off to a very rewarding and inspiring start. The people I have in my life are amazing, and life as I know it is bliss. I want to make this feeling contagious. Everyone should experience joy...go find yours!

Thank you for letting me share.

Peace and Joy,
Beth

Teacher Mentality

I may not be in a traditional classroom setting at a traditional educational institution, but I AM a teacher.

Lately, I have grown a whollllle new appreciation for teachers. I now find myself getting frustrated when I ask a thought provoking question just to get a smart ass response. I become frustrated at the ones who show out and not take it seriously, potentially hindering the learning process for the ones who are taking it seriously. I find myself asking myself, "Why can't they just grow the hell up?". And then it hit me...

Maybe people don't necessarily need to "grow up", rather they need to grow out. Out of their habits, out of their toxic mindset, and out of their cycle of self sabotage and deprivation. Maybe they need to grow out of their shell, out of hiding, out of their own way. It may not be an interest in positively engaging in their life that is lacking, rather, it may be a lack of education or confidence on how to do so. So maybe, just maybe, they need to be helped OUT, not helped UP.

Different group dynamics require different approaches. Sometimes,  I need to facilitate thinking, not facilitate a class. I need to listen to questions rather than just trying to answer them. I need
 remember that success is not a guarantee, rather it is an option.

I need to realize that even if I only reach 3 of 30 people in my classes, it doesn't mean I've only made a difference in 3 lives. I recently realized that those 3 people will be utilizing the skills and reaching other people in their lives with what they learn in my class. So while I may have only directly had a positive impact on the 3 lives, the potential of indirect impact is....well, endless.

This is why it is so important to appreciate the small things. What people don't realize is that we are all teachers. We all learn from each other. We are all making a difference and having an impact, so it is very important to make it a good one. Be mindful of your attitude, your actions, your outlook, and your communication....you never know who is learning from you.

If we want to continue teaching, we have to continue learning.

Peace and Joy,
Beth