5 years later..

Well, Hello.

It has been about 5 years since I last posted. At that time, I felt like I didn’t have anything to say. I was at one job for a while working in a bakery. It was a good place to be and met a lot of fun people. However, I wanted to try something new, so I left and tried managing a dry cleaners location. I worked there for a bit and realized it wasn’t what I wanted to do, so I left there. I went back to my job as an assistant bakery manager, which then turned into a training position within the store. I gained a lot of experience there but, also during that time, learned that my heart was in education and really wanted to get back in it. I stayed in that position for a year before I found a position as a paraprofessional, (which was supposed to be temporary by the way) and I ended up staying there in the same school for 4 years. 

Let me just say this, God knows what He is doing more than you ever will. You may never know the reason behind what is happening in your life, but that’s okay. Sometimes He shows us, and other times, He doesn’t. 

Looking back at the last four years, my thoughts would be…

• God has a sense of humor
• He will bring you what you are looking for
• He will bring you what you didn’t know you needed
• He answers prayers
• And as always, LIFE IS AN ADVENTURE!

It started when I took a job because I had worked a few different jobs before, to realize I really wanted to be in education again. That was where my heart was. So, I applied to multiple places, had a random interview and got a job as a paraprofessional. I loved that job! It was so much fun! It did not last very long though because God had another plan. He opened a door to be a long term substitute as a Special Education teacher. I loved my time there and the people I got to work with. These positions were in the same building by the way. Then, another door opened and I taught summer school, which then led to another door as an in building substitute. I taught summer school and was an inbuilding sub for the next 3 years. 

Each year, I learned something different about myself. 

~The first year, I learned that I wanted to stay in the education world. In what capacity?? I had no idea, I just knew I felt at home.

~The second year, I learned that I did in fact want to teach fulltime in my own classroom with my own students.

~ The third year, I learned that I have value just as I am and those that are truly a part of my life, will show me all the time.

~ In the fourth year, I learned that people can come into your life at the most unexpected times and become true family and friends who mean so much and… The best part is that they teach you the most about yourself and life. To have people like this, is a treasure that I highly value, and are people I have prayed to have in my life for years!!

I learned about a lot of things those four years, but those are the main points for each year. 

Where am I now?? I am currently awaiting the next thing that I have dreamt of and prayed for. It is an answered prayer/dream, but definitely not in the way I ever thought it would happen. 

I get to teach in my own classroom, with my own set of students, in a place that truly thinks the same way I do when it comes to education. 

Do I know what I’m doing?? NO! Am I ready for it?? Kind of? But, I am excited to see how it all unfolds. If those last four years have taught me anything, it’s that the next chapter in my life will be something I never expected it to be in the best way. 

So, If you have no idea what you’re doing with life, or if you’re tired of waiting for what you have been looking for.. 

Know that it is okay to not know. It is okay to not be in the place you thought you would be by now. It’s okay that life looks different from what you expected. (BTW. It’s only your thoughts, dreams, and hopes about how you want your life to be, NOT what anyone else’s. It’s your life. Not theirs. Please do not compare your life to anyone’s or think you have to do something because someone else said you should or expected you to at one point. They are NOT you. YOU are NOT them!! Got it!?!?) Okay enough of that now but, seriously,…

• Dream!
• Think beyond the box. (Don’t put yourself in a box!)
• Keep waiting
• Keep looking
• Keep trying
• Embrace what is right in front you.
  • There is so much to see and learn about yourself, life, and other people.

Go try something different. Try a new hobby. Learn a new skill. Try a different job. Meet people.

JUST TRY!

It might take time. Don’t get me wrong. I waited 6 years to be where I am now, and it is still not what I thought I would be doing if you asked me when I graduated from college, yet here I am! If it would have happened how I thought it would, I wouldn’t have met the incredible people that I did! I wouldn’t have had the time I needed to think, process and become who I am today. I am so thankful for the waiting! So, it is worth the wait. It is worth dreaming. It is worth seeking. It is worth trying. (if you know me, you know that I have referenced dancing in the hallway until a door opens, so make a great play list and just dance! The door will open).

I mean, the worst that could happen is that you don’t like it. That’s okay. You can always do something else. But the time that you spend in those days, weeks, months, years whatever… are so worth it. You may learn things about yourself. You may meet some of the best people who actually take the time to know you, encourage you, call you out and become people you get to do life with for the rest of your life. You may have all sorts of new experiences that I can promise you, you would never have experienced if you never tried. 

Chef Gusteau from the Pixar Movie, Ratatouille says,

““You must be imaginative, strong-hearted. You must try things that may not work, and you must not let anyone define your limits because of where you come from. Your only limit is your soul.”

So do the thing! I am! I am out here doing something that, like I said, I have no idea how to do… but I am doing it anyway! Join me??

Who knows when I will write again or what I’ll say, but I just wanted to encourage you!

You are so loved!