Optimsism – Be That Person

August 8, 2021 heathercphipps Gratitude, Happiness, Kindness, Optimism, Positivity, Uncategorized

Shine a Light on Others

It’s been a lifechanging summer for me, no exaggeration. You all know this. My daughter had triplets, my first grandchildren. I underestimated the impact this would have on my life and the joy it would bring me. I mean I knew it would be amazing. But until I saw them, held them, I didn’t really KNOW.

I want so much for them. I want them to be healthy, of course, but I want as much for them to be happy. I want them to spend their life in a world that is good and loving and kind.

I want that for you too. And for me.

I have been reflecting this summer on what I want this blog to be. As hard as it is for me to believe, it has been almost 7 years since I started this. When I first launched it, I called it Educator Insights. It was a way for me to share my ideas and my thoughts as an educator.

But I have changed. The world has changed.

I’m not really sure if that’s true or not, but it feels that way at times. The last few years have been heavy. We all know the reasons. It feels all too often that media (traditional, alternative, and social) is feeding a culture of negativity instead of fostering positive discourse and uplifting stories.

I have always believed that Steve Hartman has the greatest job in the world. I still do. He has spent his career telling other people’s stories. Stories of kindness and grace, of love and compassion. I don’t know if it has helped him have a happier life, but I know his stories have helped me have a happier life.

I am starting my 30th year in education. I have had the chance to teach and to learn, to grow and to grow others, to lead and to be led. This summer has been a time of renewal, and I’ve been pondering what I want the next 30 years to be.

And I think I have it figured out.

I want to tell your stories. I want to share the countless examples of selflessness and courage and kindness that I see everyday. I want my voice and this blog to be a place where our faith in humanity is affirmed and uplifted.

The name of the blog has changed. The intent of the blog has changed. I’ve spent the summer watching you all do amazing things, big and small. Next week I start sharing them.

* photo behind the scenes at Joey Winn Photography

May 6, 2017May 7, 2017 heathercphipps Balance, Optimism, Positivity, Recharge, Uncategorized

Take Care of You

May is a challenge. So many things are tied to a school year that most of us, whether we work in schools or not, are somehow impacted by the craziness of May.

The time commitments in May are staggering. The emotions as children graduate and as things come to an end, as they always do, can be over-whelming. The work to wrap up school years or legislative sessions or college careers can exhaust you if you are not careful.

So I encourage you to be careful. Now more than ever, you need to take care of yourself. I have learned a real truth over time that I am not the best version of me when I do not take care of myself. When I snap at people, when I am easily offended by people, when I am rude or scared or sad for little reason, I can almost always trace it back to not taking care of myself.

HALT is an acronym for hungry, angry, lonely, tired. I like to add sick, so I usually refer to HALTS. These are physical and emotional states that wreak havoc on our well-being. We do not make our best decisions or behave in our best ways when we are experiencing any of these. May is a great time to control what you can control. And we can control much more than we realize.

Eat. It sounds crazy to say that but there were two days this week when I did not eat lunch, and of course I was less effective in the afternoon. Any advantage I gained getting work done (and I did get a lot done in that “extra time”) was offset by my mood in the afternoon. Of course eating healthy is even better. Avoiding the food coma and brain fog that come with bad choices at a meal or a snack is always a benefit. But first, just eat.

Sleep. Again the busier we get, the more tempting it is to knock out two or three extra hours of work at the expense of sleep. Never a good idea! There are times in our lives, having a newborn comes to mind, when sleep is a luxury we cannot afford. But those times are rare. Sleep is one of the most powerful tools for our well-being that is almost entirely in our control. Go to bed an hour earlier tonight. Your physical and mental state will thank you tomorrow.

Exercise. You do not have to train for a marathon to be active. Just move. Will you feel better physically? Of course! But you will also feel better emotionally. There will be people right now saying that they are too busy to both sleep and exercise. Something’s got to give. But that’s not true. You are entirely in control of your ability to do both. Some of the busiest people I know find time to do both, and they are far more efficient and more effective because of it.

Angry and lonely are more powerful than hungry and tired, and they can feel harder to control. But you can. The greatest secret in life is that we are all in control of ourselves to a much greater level than we realize.

Take gratitude walks. Practice mindfulness. Cultivate friendships. Volunteer to serve others. See a movie by yourself. Turn off your phone. And for heaven’s sake, seek help when you need help. There are amazing professionals trained to help us cope when we cannot do it ourselves. Seek them out. The strongest people I know ask for help when they need it.

May can overwhelm, but if it does, we miss out on all of the fun. Life is crazy. Take care of yourself, so you can enjoy it!

May 15, 2016 heathercphipps Gratitude, Grit, Optimism, Perseverence, Positivity, Uncategorized

Little Shop of Letdown

Major milestones in our lives offer an opportunity to reflect. Such has been my spring. And as I have been reminiscing, I have been reminded of the many ups and downs that make up a life. For me, for my friends, and for my family, life has not always turned out the way we thought it would. Woven through the fabric of the many celebrations and achievements in our lives are a fair share of failures.

As we celebrated an impressive freshman year and an outstanding grade in college calculus, I was reminded of the struggles it took to get through my daughter’s first AP course. School was not as easy for her as it was for her older sister.

As we celebrated awards and honors and some amazing achievements as she graduated college, I was reminded of the devastation when my oldest was cut from the musical “Little Shop of Horrors” her junior year without ever even having the chance to read for the part she wanted. She cried for days.

As I transition to a new job, I am reminded of the year I was so ready for my first administrative job. I’d earned the degree. I’d done all of the preparing, and I was sure the next administrative job was mine. When circumstances caused me to miss the interview and someone else got the job I believed should have been mine, I was disappointed. I was more than disappointed.

But as strange as this is going to sound, I am so grateful for the failures. I may appreciate them even more than the successes.

With my daughter’s struggles in school came a strong work ethic, an ability to persevere, and an understanding of how to “do school”. With my daughter’s loss of a part in the musical came an even greater ability to be humble, compassionate, and sympathetic. Having to wait for my first chance to lead as an administrator helped me learn patience and taught me that with time things work out.

My children are the amazing human beings they are today not because they have always been successful but because they learned how to respond with positivity, grace, and grit when things went wrong.

Failure is not an option. Failure is a guarantee. At some point we all fail. Reaching for our dreams, imagining a different future, trying something new all mean risking failure. And when we fail, we learn.

Take risks. Try something that scares you. Set what one of my friends calls stretch goals. Imagine that you can go well beyond what you thought was your limit physically, intellectually, or emotionally. And decide now that when you fail, and you will, that you will maintain a positive attitude, persevere, and learn from it.

Every experience, every success, every failure make us who are. Appreciate them all!

February 17, 2016February 21, 2016 heathercphipps Breaking the Rules, Competition, Grit, Optimism, Perseverence, Positivity, Uncategorized

50 Years from Now

256px-Bumblebee_Transformer_-_Flickr_-_andrewbasterfield My family laughs at me every time the movie Transformers is on TV. Almost without fail, I jump into the story at the exact same moment…the point of inspiring motivation and life-changing wisdom. Do you see now why they laugh at me? I may be the only person in history who has ever described Transformers as life-changing, but it is.

There is a scene early on when the first Transformer reveals himself as Bumblebee, an alien robot. (And with that, the rest of you start laughing at me as well. A movie about alien robots shares life-changing wisdom?) But when Bumblebee invites the young heroes into his car, leading to unknown adventure and considerable risk, one of the main character hesitates. The other one utters the words that I’ve been saying to myself ever since…

“50 years from now when you’re looking back on your life, don’t you want to say you had the guts to get into the car?”

Life is full of choices, chances to try something new. These opportunities can also be filled with risk. It is not easy to take a leap and jump into something unknown. It is not easy to take a chance and know that you could fail, but nothing amazing was ever achieved without risk.

From our earliest years, we have to make choices about what adventures we will tackle and which ones we will let go. Auditioning for the school play is a risk. Trying out for the football team is a risk. Taking an Advanced Placement course is a risk. But those risks are necessary to create the best possible life.

Say yes!

I am a terrible bowler, but I always have a good time when I play. I am not a runner, but I’ve finished three half-marathons. Stand directly under the frozen, powerful waterfall at Smith Falls on the Niobrara? Every time!

When people are asked about their greatest regret, they almost always list the things they didn’t do. At the end of our lives, it is not what we tried and failed to do that haunts us, it is the times we failed to try.

Embracing this attitude is essential not just for the day-to-day things, but it is key to living the best possible version of your life. Taking risks is necessary in order to find success. Go back and get the degree. Apply for the job that seems beyond your reach. Volunteer to be the one who fills in at a meeting or on a committee.

Every day there is a chance to say yes. “Want to go to lunch?” “I have an extra ticket to the game, want to come?” “We need someone to lead this project, are you interested?” A good meal, a new relationship, a powerful experience might be the result.

Something we learn as we get older is that things will not always work out when we say yes. There is a winner and a loser in all epic battles. We only have one President. We only have one state champion. We only have one gold medalist. But without the risk of failing, we cannot succeed.

“50 years from now when you’re looking back on your life, don’t you want to say you had the guts to get into the car?”

December 13, 2015 heathercphipps Optimism, Positivity, Uncategorized

Everyone Has a Story- Part 2

go explore Last week I was reflecting on how much easier it is to be understanding and to show grace when we know people’s stories. This week I’ve been reflecting on how those stories reveal our complexity as human beings.

I am a positive person. I am talkative (anyone who knows me is laughing right now at the understatement). I tend to have ridiculous amounts of energy and enthusiasm. I see the best in things, and I’ve been accused of being “PollyAnna” on more than one occasion.

But sometimes I am sad and withdrawn. Sometimes I am frustrated and upset, and I honestly cannot explain why. I usually snap out of it quickly, but those who know me best know what I am talking about.

I am complex. So are you.

It is tempting to put people in a box. We meet someone, form a first impression, and we assume that is who they are. Rarely are people that easy to figure out. Some people are comfortable in a room full of strangers, but who they are in those interactions may bear little resemblance to who they are with their friends. Others are more reserved and take some time to open up, but they are listening and learning and getting to know people.

Someone told me this week that they appreciate my “authentic self”. It made me feel good. I’m not sure I always know though who my authentic self is.

Our stories shape who we are. The times that we have been hurt have left us jaded. The times we have been sick have left scars. The times we have disappointed others have left guilt. Even if we have moved beyond any negative emotions from the past, we are different because of the experiences.

Our stories also give us strength and resilience. Each one of us has overcome seemingly insurmountable things. We have tackled great challenges and come out on top. We all have.

I really am a positive person. My authentic self believes the world is good and kind and fun. None of that changes because I have a hard day, or a hard hour.

My challenge to you this week is to seek to see the people in your lives more deeply. We are none of us all good or all bad, all happy or all sad. It’s part of what makes us interesting. It’s part of what we should value and appreciate.

It’s a big week. There are final exams and holiday parties. There are celebrations and stressors. Be kind to each other.

November 28, 2015November 29, 2015 heathercphipps Gratitude, Optimism, Positivity, Uncategorized

Life Needs More Exclamation Points!

I’ve joked that you can take the English teacher out of the classroom, but you can’t take the English teacher out of the person. In a meeting recently with some colleagues, we were revising the word choice, construction, and punctuation in a document. There was an exclamation point at the end of a sentence, and we were debating whether or not that was appropriate.

Exclamation points are commonly used to express excitement, surprise, astonishment, or other strong emotions. Grammarians would caution against overuse of the mark. But a wise friend in our meeting asked, “Shouldn’t life be filled with more exclamation points, not less?”

Yes!

Our lives should be filled with excitement, surprise, and astonishment! We should seek those opportunities.

Say Yes

Every day, every moment, life presents us with opportunities. Say yes to them! An invitation to an event can feel like an obligation, but it could be the experience of a lifetime. A new professional opportunity can feel overwhelming, but it could help you grow in ways you’ve never imagined.

Trying something new can be scary, but I agree with the advice that we should do something everyday that scares us. There is a thrilling exhilaration in doing something new. Your heart beats faster. Your adrenaline spikes. Your emotions go into overload. It’s fun.

Risk-taking is part of a well-lived life. Now I’m not suggesting you jump out of an airplane without a parachute, but I am suggesting you be willing to say yes to an opportunity even though it scares you. It may feel safer to maintain the status quo, but the best things in life are almost always a result of challenging it.

Be Present

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” (Ferris Bueller) We have to do more than just say yes to those opportunities; we have to be present enough to enjoy them when they are happening. Noticing the best moments when they are happening is a skill we should all cultivate.

Two of our football teams had the opportunity to play in the state championship game in Memorial Stadium last week. As they were leaving the field at halftime, a player’s dad said to me, “I hope they are taking a few minutes to look around and really soak this all in.” The experiences of a lifetime are always worth savoring.

Extend Opportunities to Others

Everyone deserves a life filled with exclamation points. When you have the chance to invite someone else to join you in an adventure, extend the offer.

Experience Wonder

If you read the blog a couple of weeks ago, you know that I have a new niece. There is something miraculous about a baby. Holding Logan this weekend has been priceless, and I have tried to enjoy every minute of it.

Our world is full of awe-inspiring miracles. I could watch a mountain stream flowing over rocks for hours. Vacations are alive with opportunities to enjoy the beauty of nature, but if we take the time to look around, we’d see that beauty everyday. The autumn leaves have only now fallen from the trees. The first frost has left a shimmer on the grass. The colors of the sunset as I drive home from work this time of year take my breath away.

Our lives need more exclamation points! Be intentional about looking for them!

September 16, 2015September 19, 2015 heathercphipps Optimism, Positivity, Uncategorized

How will the world be different because you were in it?

The world will be happier because I was in it. At least that’s my plan.

Contemplating your own mortality is not something I’d suggest anyone spend much time doing. But the reality is that life is short, and we would be wise to put some thought into the way we are spending it.

I have a friend who is focusing her energy right now on the crisis with Syrian refugees. She has identified concrete ways that people can get involved and make a difference. She is spreading that word, and she is working to improve the situation for people in great need.

I have another friend who has worked for the military and in the public sector. She has lived in some of the most dangerous places on the planet. Her work has shaped public policy, and she has risked her life for our safety.

I have a friend who is a Superintendent. One who spent time working with the recovery efforts in Haiti and New Orleans. My high school classmates are doctors and lawyers and executives.

I sometimes feel like my impact on the world will be small. Maybe you have felt the same way. History is full of examples of people who have sacrificed and served to make our world better. There are people dedicating their whole lives right now to addressing social injustices. How will the world be different because I was in it?

I’ve spent more time than I should wondering if I have done enough good, wondering if I have taken enough risks to make a real contribution, wondering if I have made any lasting impression. I know some of you wonder the same thing.

We have. Our lives have made a difference. My life has made a difference.

There is the very real contribution that I’ve made in terms of my children. They are smart and compassionate and positive. The world is better because they are in it.

As a teacher, I also feel like I have had the chance to influence others. There are mature, confident, wonderful adults out there with whom I was able to connect when they were students. I’m still in touch with many of them today. The world is better because they are in it.

The world may not know my name, but my life has mattered.

It feels small to say this, but I hope the world will be happier because I was in it. If there is a “legacy” that I’d like to leave, it is happiness.

Happiness is not a buzzword. It is not a fad. It is not shallow. Brightening the day for someone can have an impact on every other person they encounter that day. I want to be the face, the voice, the message that spreads positivity.

I’ve recently become an Optimist. Part of the Optimist Creed is to “look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true”. This doesn’t mean that I don’t see the atrocities in the world. This doesn’t mean that I’ve buried my head in the sand. It means that in the midst of those things, I choose to believe that staying positive is a stronger way to live.

How will the world be different because you were in it?

Just for Fun…a Few of My Favorite Videos about Happiness

The Science of Happiness- Soul Pancake

The Happy Secret to Better Work- Shawn Achor

Kid President Pep Talk