Control the Controllables

The past year and a half in education has been like that of no other I have ever seen or experienced in my lifetime. Educators, students, and administrators have had to deal with so many new variables and changes in such a short amount of time. Many in education had hoped to start this school year as normal as possible but as it looks across America, it is anything but that. Heated debates over masks, vaccines, and curriculum content have come full circle across communities and board meetings. Many are still getting sick with the virus. It is easy to feel burnt out, split, and overwhelmed by it all. We can CHOOSE to let the current circumstances we face daily bring us down and or we can RISE above it by choosing to do one thing; CONTROL THE CONTROLLABLES! 

Things you and I can do and control to make a daily difference in our lives

1. ATTITUDE. Instead of saying I HAVE TO do this or that, change your mindset to I GET TO or I CHOOSE TO. The way we talk to ourselves is SUPER powerful. 

2. JOURNAL daily and reflect on your WINS from each day. 

3. Find ways to SERVE and make a DIFFERENCE in the lives of others.

4. Don't let yourself get stale. Find things that INSPIRE and MOTIVATE you inside and outside of school. This year I have been teaching myself physics and writing a novel on the side. It has been a lot of fun and a great distraction.

5. Find a mentor and meet with them once a month. We GROW when we COLLABORATE and SHARE with others!

6. PHYSICAL AND MENTAL WORKOUTS. Find time to be with your thoughts, meditate, and get that heart rate up a few times a week! 

7. Take GRATITUDE walks and get out in NATURE. 

8. Find people you can LAUGH and GROW with. If they aren't at your school, find a community online, church, the gym, or take a class. 

9. Stay CONNECTED with family, friends, and peers. It can be easy to stay isolated but if you feel comfortable, make time for others. Human connection is something that we need and thrive off. 

10. SMILE more...even if it has to be through a mask right now. 

Find time to control the controllables this school year so the uncontrollables don't dominate your life. Your daily attitude and actions matter. I wish you a terrific school year whatever challenges it brings. Choose to RISE above the negativity and BRING IT!

Five Things We Need To STOP Doing In 2015

As a new year approaches, many of us will think about goals we want to accomplish, things we want to improve, and how to be better than last year. As I reflect on 2014, I believe there are five essential things we can do as humans in 2015 to make our world and country a better place for ourselves and others.

1. Stop wasting so much time on your phone: Sometimes I think back to a time when man existed in nature, had to explore to find new things, hunt to eat, told stories for entertainment. Now, we sit on our phones and play games, text, tweet, etc. We check it every minute to see what notification we will get next. It is as addicting to some as heroin and nicotine. So much of our humanity continues to get sucked from us every time we waste hours on our devices. I am not saying they are all bad because I enjoy my technology to communicate and learn, but limit it. Read a book before bed. Put it away during dinner. Enjoy a nice walk without it strapped to your hand. Have a deep conversation with someone. Are you a slave to your own device?

VIDEO: Live life the real way and look up!

2. Stop the racism, hate, and killing in our country: History is for us to learn from and we haven't learned very well. Currently in America, we are almost at a civil war with each other over race once again. We are acting like we did 50 years ago and it is leading to nothing but anger, hate, and killing. What makes America great is that all races; White, Black, Latino, Jews, Muslim, Indians, can live freely amongst each other and have the same opportunity to succeed. We need to stop pointing fingers and come together as a country and support each other. Follow the laws put in place, do your part, and treat each others fairly and with respect and things will work out well for all!

SONG & VIDEO: This land is your land & my land

3. Stop thinking about yourself so much: Yes, you are priority number one but happiness doesn't come from thinking about yourself all the time. Much of happiness is derived from helping others and giving back. Go volunteer this year. Spend more time with your family. Tutor. Life is fragile and you never know what someone is going through. When you ask how someone is doing, genuinely  mean it and listen. Call an old friend you haven't talked to in a while. Notice the world around you and help it!

VIDEO: Caring for each other

4. Stop being complacent: This year, I believe I fell victim to a disease called "complacency". I am now married, have a house, and have a terrific job. All things I worked very hard to get. But now that I have them, I find it easy to be satisfied in life. We need to stop being satisfied with where we are and continue to grow and improve ourselves! Wherever you are in life, learn a new skill, practice your networking/speaking skills, work on a new hobby, and aspire to be more! This year, I plan to stop wasting time on non-essential things and work harder on me and my relationships.

VIDEO: How costly is complacency inspiration speech by Coach Sean Payton

5. Stop making excuses why you can't change things: We fear change and many of us hate it. We make excuses all the time why we can't workout, why we can't find time to read, why we can't eat better or go to church more. Whatever it is in 2015 you want to accomplish, STOP making excuses and write your goals down. Start with one small thing you want to work on and change. It takes at least 30 days for a new habit to stick. Track your progress through a journal. Whatever it is you want to accomplish in 2015, the mind and body can achieve!

VIDEO: CHANGE

-RD