Mama & The Kiddos
I volunteered the other morning in my son’s second grade classroom. They are working on reading assessments for each child and with 25 children, it’s understandable that help is needed and appreciated. So, I signed up because he’s my son and I know a thing or two about teaching reading and writing to people. Now, I’m always stressed, right? Anyone who knows me well knows this piece of information. Even as I was getting ready to go to the school I was stressed out.
I got in the car and drove to the school which is only a five minute drive from my house. I could literally feel my stress level diminishing the closer I got to the parking lot. By the time I stepped inside the classroom, my stress was completely gone and I was alive. It was almost like I had never left the classroom. Obviously these kids are younger than the age group I used to teach, but the basic premise is the same. You are there to help people learn. I felt like I was in my element. I felt like I belonged there. I felt comfortable and safe. Now, I don’t know if that is just because I went to school for a hundred years and taught for a hundred more. Maybe you are just naturally more comfortable doing something you know how to do. After I left, I spent the next three hours mindlessly searching the internet for storefront locations and a company to manage the SEO of my website because it is tanking faster than the Titanic. I felt stressed again. I felt unsure. I felt doubtful. Doubtful that I could find a space. Doubtful that I could pull together a store. Doubtful that I could save my web store.
While I was at the school, I could have planned two weeks of lessons, a review class and a comprehensive test–even after being out of the classroom for so many years. It’s kind of like riding a bike.
So, what’s the stress issue? Is it my total lack of background in business and computer technology? I don’t know. I do know that I should probably investigate these feelings a tad before we throw money out the window on a store. Someone from a company I was on the phone with the other day asked me what I would say to people if I were a mentor. I didn’t even have to think first. I try to instill in my children, especially my daughter, the following:
1. that education is the key to upward mobility.
2.You don’t ever want to have to depend on someone else to take care of you. 3.Find something you love to do and then go and be the best at it.
Have a passion for something and then just go for it. Don’t just sit around and wish for it–go make it happen. Don’t make excuses, just go make it happen. Get the proper schooling you’ll need to achieve success and then go do it.
After I hung up, I realized the irony of this whole situation I find myself in these days. I can give great advice but can’t follow my own words of wisdom. I need to find a way to actually get out of my own way and figure out what it really is that I want. I know I want
something, I just have to figure it out and go do it. I did the web store. Now, I can really focus on saving it and expanding it into a brick and mortar establishment…or not. The choice is mine to make. Now’s the time to take my own advice. We’ll see what happens. Happy shopping:)
http://www.myupscalegaragesale.goodsie.com