The Origin.

4/23/15


As a 25 year old woman trying to find my way in the world in 2015, I have found myself doubtful, anxious, and defeated. Living in a world where people use their fingertips as their greatest weapon, swipe right and "fall in love", or hide behind their screen and instantly become whomever they choose... it can be daunting. My generation is not exactly what I would call logical. Many great things come with social media, however, the powerful act of comparing is more alive and well than ever. My generation, and yes I will speak for us all, depend and look to Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to justify our thoughts and actions all depending on how many likes, retweets, or shares we may or may not receive. I will say that because of all of the social media available at my fingertips, it has become incredibly easy to compare my life to a complete stranger and instantly feel inadequate. 

I am 25 years old. I am a completely single 25 year old. I am a 25 year old that worked her rear off in college and has a career, in which she works her rear off. I am a 25 year old that has found herself way too anxious, way too ungrateful, and truthfully- way too NOT myself this past year. Twenty five has become one of the most interesting years of my life. As a young adult, you go through life following a "timeline" of what you think you're supposed to do. Now, as we grow older and become wiser, we tend to change our timeline and find that our plans are not always THE plan. If you would have asked the 5th grade ME what I would be doing at 25, my answer would be simple... Married with four kids. Life has a funny way of working out and making you realize different lessons at the most random moments of your life.

Enter... the whole reason I am here. One day last week, while doing a writing lesson in my 5th grade classroom... I asked my students to respond to the following prompt: "What I wish my teacher knew about me..." I had seen this lesson on the internet, with really touching and enlightening responses. To be honest... I was nervous to see my students' responses. I work in a low income school and many of my student's do not have the best home life, as I realized more and more as I walked around the classroom. One response caught my eye... It was plain and it was simple.... and it was everything.


"What I wish my teacher knew about me... she is the best teacher I've ever had in elementary school." This touched my heart more than this student will ever know. While I reflected on my miserable days, my cranky attitudes, and my weekly breakdowns I allowed myself to have, I realized that I have SO much to be grateful for. It may not be in my face every single day because of the simple fact that I am not LOOKING for it. Which brings me to... #40daysofagratefulheart. I decided to use my Instagram as a bit of a diary for myself for the next 40 days. I have read on blogs and other forms of media that it takes 40 days to make or break a habit, whether this is true or not, is not the point. I have challenged myself to choose ONE thing from each day for the next 40 days to be grateful for. And I will say... it hasn't been much of a challenge for me. I am very, very blessed and it's an amazing thing to start realizing that. 


Day 1....

Today I am grateful for young minded, 11 year old beings that believe in me more than I believe in myself. How can my heart not be full?


XoXo
-A Grateful Heart