Build Your Impossible

It’s About Embracing the Hunt I t's about craving the middle. It's about the HUNT! Being an athlete is a massive privilege! Last week, I was lookin g for a motivational resource and stumbled upon the best video: Lion Mentality . If you do nothing else, watch the video! It will get you moving! This video took a lion’s dominant features and crafted a mindset that reminded me of what it feels like to love the hunt (or the process involved). I used to feel a lack of energy when the phrase, “En joy the process” was said. But, after watching this video and substituting the word, “HUNT”, the energy is back and I know I can get behind the idea of enjoying the hunt!  A Lion's World A lion’s world is where determination, grit, strength, courage, and leadership come together. This year, after a hunt that feels like it has lasted a lifetime, Detroit gets to show everyone why the Lion is the king of the Jungle. Lions are not the biggest, smartest, or fastest animal, yet they stand on to

Life is a series of commas, not periods. (Matthew McConaughey) Life unfolds as a series of commas, not periods. Life is filled with twists and turns. When we look at other people's journeys, it's pretty easy to give them the benefit of the doubt, thinking there must be more commas and the best is yet to come. Interestingly enough, when it's our turn, those twists might seem like periods. Commas add meaning and depth to our writing. Likewise, collecting commas adds depth and meaning to our story.  When things don't quite go as planned, picture a comma and keep that belief alive. Always be reminded that the best is yet to come. As Jon Acuff says, “There is a better return on positivity”. When I think about my journey as an educator, it continues to be a great success story filled with commas. If I had seen a period after the first year I was laid off due to budget cuts, I would have ended my career in education over twenty years ago.  Collections of commas are examples of

S trategies for Reluctant Readers at Home or in the Classroom The journey to becoming an authentic reader is a unique experience for each individual, marked by challenges and achievements. As both a devoted parent and an experienced teacher, I have uncovered effective strategies to support reluctant readers, laying the foundation for a lifelong love of reading. Here are a few of the strategies I have found to be quite helpful. Visit the Library Often: Libraries, often underestimated, serve as treasure troves of knowledge and imagination. My early exposure to the library, thanks to my mother, instilled in me a deep appreciation for its offerings. Getting library cards early opened doors to a number of resources. It is exciting to have unlimited opportunities to check out audiobooks, novels, movies and magazines. Digital audio and text  resources like Hoopla and Overdrive further energize the overall experience with books. Libraries not only cultivate a love for reading but also impart t

Kindness: Breaking the Domino Effect and Building Resilience Imagine a row of dominos perfectly lined up.  Now, imagine life as a delicate balance of dominos, where a single tap can set off a chain reaction, leading to a series of negative events. Much like the domino effect, our experiences—rushed mornings, traffic jams, conflicts—can trigger a series of challenges. However, what if we could interrupt this chain, not only preventing the fall but also extending a helping hand to pick up a domino that has fallen over? This is where the power of kindness matters. The Domino Effect of Negativity: As one domino falling can create a domino effect, negativity can continue a cycle of challenges. From a hectic morning to personal struggles, life can often feel like a relentless row of falling dominos. It's in these moments that the impact of kindness becomes noticeable, offering a way to break the pattern and even uplift those around us. Kindness as a Way of Life: While kindness may not al