Life's Lessons

Hi. My name is Whittney, and I am about to begin living my most sought after dream. Starting in August, I am officially an elementary teacher!

Without giving away too much I will tell you that I am teaching in a lower elementary grade in Southeast Missouri.

In school, it was always recommended that we keep a journal of our first year. However, I thought it would be fun to go one step further and share it with all of you. Maybe I can teach you a thing or two, and hopefully, you will teach me as well. After all, in life you can either teach, or be taught!

To begin, I would like to share with you a few things that I have learned in my 22 years.

1. Mother Knows Best: This has been the hardest lesson for me to learn, and it is still hard for me to accept most times. I have, however, officially accepted it as a life rule because it has been proven over and over again. Every boyfriend she said would break my heart, did; every friend she said would stab me in the back, did; and everything she told me I would regret, I did. Of the millions of fights we have had through the years, she was right 98% of the time. (I only say 98% because SURELY I was right a couple times...)

In fact, the only time we ever argued and she wasn't right was our argument about me becoming a teacher. She wanted me to be a news broadcaster. She said I had the "looks and voice" for it, and that I would make much better money. I can't say she wasn't right about that, the money that is. Mom has happily accepted me as a teacher and has provided more support, insight, and advice than I could ever ask for. Only time will tell if I was actually right this time, tho. Hopefully this will be my 2%.



Here is a picture of my mother and I on a family vacation at Gulf Shores a couple years ago.

2. You are Responsible for You: When I don't like the way something is, my first reaction is to complain. That never has, and never will, get me anywhere. The only thing I can change is me. I can remove myself from the situation, or change the way I approach it. I cannot, however, change the situation.

3. All Things Are Subject to Change: Everything, no matter how certain it may seem, can change in the blink of an eye. Every time I think I "know" something or someone, I come to find I knew wrong all along. Everything, including these three rules I think I know, may not always be true. Proceed with caution.

Any rules or lessons you have learned while trying to make it through this thing called life? I'd love to hear them!

Happy Friday and enjoy your weekend!

Whittney