Dream Big- Passion of Learning

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It was an honour to have Angela Maiers cross post and feature this "conversation" on her blog. Many thanks to her for her encouragement in sharing my passion to learn!

Why is it that we are often our own greatest obstacle to overcome?

I love being a dreamer.  Of imagining a world of possibilities that will shape and guide me.

So then, what does it mean to dream big ... I mean really?

I hear these words all the time... and yet I am not sure if I really understand what they mean. Or is it I don't value enough my own desires to actualize them?  

That is exactly what it was ... until now.

This new year I have taken more than one step into uncharted territory.

Going back to school as a full time student after twenty years was no small feat. No small challenge but in many respects offered the incentive to really dream big.

I have long been looking for a passion that could rival both being a teacher as well as mother and wife.  I knew that while I could utterly feel fulfilled in these roles I really felt I owed it to who I am to explore who I hope to become.  Envisioning the future isn't only for the young, but probably most especially, for the young at heart.

Here is where the footsteps of my quest have taken me...

I have found my passion in one of the most unlikeliest of places. I can't give myself any more credit that the simple fact that I stumbled upon it.  Hiding in the shadows of my existence, it has become a part of me without me even knowing it was happening.  I have been immersed in this culture and life for years now, but only recently could I see it calling to me with fresh eyes. I know that to dream big is to follow in the direction I am being led.

My passion is the martial art of Muay Thai. The word Muay is derived from the Sanskrit Mavya which means "to bind together". Those simple words completely encompass how I feel when I am training. I am bound to the learning in a way I never thought was possible.  The confidence I feel is only matched by the competence I gain from each new training session.  It consumes many of my waking thoughts and, for the first time, I revel in knowing that this learning is a part of who I am.  It has empowered me as a learner and given me a focus that compliments every other aspect of my life.  Muay Thai has been an amazing teacher ... combining humility, assurance, skill, tenacity, and intelligence as part of the curriculum.  My own teachers, each and every kru (sensei), continue to offer me the challenge I need to grow in my skill, understanding, and learning.  Most importantly, they instil in me the confidence to continue on.

I have never looked back and now truly understand what passion and fire feels like as it burns inside of me. I know that my journey has only just begun ... mastery may very well be a minute speck in the far distance, but with discipline and passion as my compass, I know I am headed in the right direction.  Someday mastery might very well intersect my future.

"I fear not the man who has practiced 10,000 kicks once, but I fear the man who has practiced one kick 10,000 times." ~Bruce Lee

And so continues my passion and desire to learn... 

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Make Time for You!

I just need to say a simple, yet heartfelt THANK YOU to #temt and all the wonderful people who are posting... you are really keeping me motivated!

From success stories to mutual fall backs to inspiring words that keep me going.

"Honor Your Body," posted Linda.

"Do what you love," implied JoAnnJ68.

Patrick Larkin wrote, "Make a commitment to yourself."

Nicole Harrington reminded us to, "Just do it."

And that's all just this month!

So I would like to add my line to these: Make time for you!

It's ok to do this and it is not selfish. I'm learning as I get older that I need to take care of myself before I can be the best I can be for others. I need to think of exercise like brushing my teeth: necessary for overall health.

No longer can I put it off because I need to wash a few more dishes, type one more email, sleep one more hour, make a deadline - I am my own deadline! And I need to make time. I owe it to myself.

School, Fitness, How Do I Manage...

As school quickly approaches and everyone begins heading back to the kids, some are thinking “how do I manage a fitness regimen with other responsibilities.” First, just remember you have to take time for yourself. This will only allow you to become a “happier” teacher/administrator. This is something I have struggled with each year; however, I have found some things that have worked for me.

1. When changing your lifestyle or changing your routine tell people what you are doing. I would say nine times out of 10 people are very supportive to what you are doing. This will only give you more support and encouragement. In addition, you may find someone who will join you.
2. Schedule time for your workout. My team at school knows that I cannot meet on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings because that is when I go to the gym. If I have to meet I need to know in advance so I can rework my schedule. The first week is hard, but try to get into a routine quickly because once you stop sometimes it hard to get back onto the “train,” however, if you fall off we are all there to pick you up and get you back on. That’s what a team is for!
3. When school begins you may only squeeze in 20 minutes, but just think 20 minutes is better than zero J
4. I prefer to workout in the morning. I will not lie it is hard sometimes to get out of bed, but I enjoy coming home after work and relaxing. Some of my friends are opposite, they like to workout in the afternoon as a stress reliever. When you workout may be due to when you have to report to work.
5. I usually park further away from my building because then I can get a little exercise as I walk to my building.
6. One of my colleagues exercises with her kids. She also uses the time they are at little league practice for a time to walk.
7. Another colleague walks the building right after school and uses the field to help with her exercise routine.
8. Side-note: Don’t forget to bring snacks to have mid-morning and mid-afternoon. The help refuel your body for a workout!

9. If you are a runner or walker look for a local 5k run/walk...they are a lot of fun and you meet some great people who have the same enthusiasm!

10. You have already come this far...keep going...you are inspiring people around the world!

I know there are many other ideas and ways to schedule workouts during our busy schedule! Jerry (@cybraryman) set up a wallwisher to allow us to post ways to workout at the beginning of school http://msgajda.wordpress.com/2010/08/07/ordinary-b4-extraordinary/ . I look forward to reading what other are doing to get into a routine and stay motivated. Just remember…you have to take of yourself first!

Joe (@jrsteach)

Attitude Adjustment

I mentioned in my previous post here that I work out at Curves three times a week. I generally go Monday-Wednesday-Friday. So I wasn't even planning on working out today (Thursday). I came home much later than anticipated after a very trying day, not feeling like doing much of anything. I realized I was just full of frustration and maybe a workout would be helpful. Guess what! It was! When I checked in to CurvesSmart my results indicated that I worked way past my target for the workout, and stayed in "green" even on the machines that usually kick my butt. Seeing the results of my workout on the screen gave me an instant attitude adjustment.

My message for this short post: don't let a bad day be an excuse to not exercise, because it might be just what you need to change your frown upside-down!

Photo by lrargerich on Flickr

Excuses!

When watching this video, I couldn’t help but laugh at myself. I’ve used so many of these in my life! Why is it we tend to look for excuses all the time? How much time do we waste making them?

I guess we have all used them at least once. The good thing is that we know they are just excuses. So let’s stop making them and start moving!

Hope you enjoy the video. I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Getting Started!

Hi there! My name is Greta, I’m an English as a second language teacher from Buenos Aires, Argentina. I joined twitter in 2007, but I've been tweeting for about three months. I’m really amazed by its power. Not only do I have an awesome PLN, but also a motivational team! I can’t ask for more! I’m so thrilled about #temt. It’s exactly what I needed!

It’s winter here, and to be honest, it’s the perfect excuse for me to avoid working out. I keep making up excuses such as: I’m too tired, I have to do some planning or grading, the weather is cold… and the list goes on! I don’t want to put on any pounds this winter, so I’d better start working out ASAP!

My goal is to work out for 45 minutes at least 4 times a week. I want to set a realistic goal, by realistic I mean “do-able”, I strongly believe that’s the best way to start. We tend to feel a great sense of achievement when meeting goals, and this will definitely encourage me to go for more. Quoting Mark Twain, “The secret of getting ahead is getting started”…

What about you? When are you getting started? How are you planning to do it? I’d love to hear your stories.

Hello from Greece

Sometimes we make a decision and a random event comes to confirm it somehow and then we call this serendipity or luck or the universe trying to help us. Yesterday I was thinking that now that my salary has been reduced and my expenses, due to oil being more expensive, have gone up I should try to do more things that cost nothing or next to nothing. Running is one of those! But I have made this promise to myself many times before and then I become lazy again and I prefer to do other things like reading or checking my twitter account! Anyway, twitter has already changed my life in some ways so let’s see if it can change it in another one.

My name is Anna Varna, I am a teacher of English in Greece, and the photo below is where I usually go for running and walking. It is the park near the river in the city I live, Larisa, which is in central Greece. I promise to go running at least three times a week। What about you people?