Judging, or Not...

Does anyone else ever worry about what others think about you?
Wondering what that glance across the room meant, or what that person who is of a certain age, or ethnicity, or religion, or culture, or size, or...you name it really-must be thinking of you right now, based on your appearance, possessions, body shape, or outfit?

It's a habit that is easy to pick up, and exceedingly hard to break. I have struggled with this for a long time, and it is difficult to keep my mind under control. From this worry comes a projection of others. I start to put people in boxes, thinking about who they must be, and how they must think-based on how they look, or act, or what generation they are from, or who they affiliate themselves with.

I'm sure everyone has heard someone say something similar to this:
"Those (insert collective group name here) are (insert negative comment here) and they are all like that!"

Consider this: People are people. People are individuals with their own private lives, and no matter what the differentiating factors between you and them, they don't fit into your created box. People of a certain type don't always, or even typically think and feel a certain way.

People are people, and each human being must be treated as an individual.

In reality, it only hurts me to put others in boxes, stunts my perception and understanding, and limits my ability to do my most important job-love others.

What does it look like to love? That will have to be delved into another time.

My first job is to shake off my misunderstandings about others, and seek to see each person as a unique individual.

If I choose to do so, I might just make some lasting friendships, and learn a little something along the way.

Hanna Elizabeth

About Self-Care and Home Care

The other day, I was feeling very exhausted. My muscles hurt, I felt weak and weary, and my heart was broken over five different things at once.

So, naturally, since I was frustrated with myself, I decided to clean my bathroom.

....yeah, I don't know how that connects either.

But as I was scrubbing a month's worth (or more...who's keeping track?) of stains from my toilet bowl, cleaning the sink until it shined, and sweeping every bit of dust off my bathroom floor, I began to start to feel...better.

So I started another task, doing my 2 week's worth of laundry, sorting clothes...and I felt even better. 

So I washed my (only two days worth, give me props, people!) of dishes, wiped my counters, cleaned off most of my kitchen table, and put thing away.

By the time I finished, I started to feel...actually...glad, and a little proud of myself.

Finally...and I hesitate to share this gruesome detail....I  shaved my legs that hadn't seen the light of day since last August...

...Don't tell anyone....

After all of this was accomplished, I sat down to dinner I had cooked, and watched a show on Netflix...guilt free.

So why does all this matter anyway? 

Well, as I scrubbed that gross ring on my toilet bowl, I started thinking about an article that I had read a few weeks ago about self care. It was titled: This is What 'Self-Care' Really Means, Because It's Not All About Bubble Baths and Chocolate Cake. You can find the link to this great article here:

https://thoughtcatalog.com/brianna-wiest/2017/11/this-is-what-self-care-really-means-because-its-not-all-salt-baths-and-chocolate-cake/

Yep, I have really existential and deep thoughts when I scrub my toilet bowl. Maybe I should do it more often.

I realized that self-care is sometimes about caring for your home, and making it an enjoyable place to spend time. Sometimes making yourself feel better is a matter of washing dishes and cleaning your sink, or putting away clothes and cleaning out your backpack. 

Self-care can be things that make you feel better about where you are, as well as who you are.

Also, if anyone knows how to get those pink rings off of my toilet bowl, I'd welcome some suggestions.

What I Learned From Watching Someone Else Teach

A few weeks ago, I had the opportunity to watch my best friend teach.

She teaches 3rd, 4th, and 5th grades various subjects in a small school.
I teach Kindergarten, so you can imagine the differences in our classrooms.

Here are some things I have learned from that experience.

• If you respect your students, they will respect you.
• You have instant camaraderie with a 5th grader if you ask him what's for lunch today.
• Jenga blocks can be used like dominoes.
• The analytical prowess of an 11-year-old is impressive.
• 3rd grade girls surpass the maturity of 5th grade boys by about two years. 
• 5th graders can be a lot quieter than Kindergartners.
• There is hope for my Kindergarten kids to become focused, quiet 5th graders.
• All kids love Jenga blocks
• All kids love to play
• There is an exponential amount of knowledge from Kindergarten to 5th grade.
• They CAN SIT STILL! :)
• experiments with gum are the best! 
• Apparently 5th graders are resourceful at finding out you have a boyfriend.
• Apparently 5th graders are able to find their teacher's boyfriend's address online.
• Again, 5th graders are very resourceful people.
• I'm so glad I don't teach 5th graders who ask invasive questions.
• My best friend may be one of the most patient people I've ever met.
• She is definitely the most patient person I know.
• 5th grade boys are really good at pushing the rules. 
• 5th grade boys might also be some of the funniest kids I've met.
• My best friend is one of the best teachers I know. :)