No Pressure! #Weeklies

Week 2/52 #Weeklies


Sometimes, I am too preoccupied on wanting to be more, do more, and have more that I get too stressed – and it’s not good.  


I remember the story of the fisherman who was relaxing by the beach, and then a businessman came and talked him into doing more than what he was doing. 

The businessman allowed him to see the world as he sees it. He told the fisherman how he will be able to get more of this and that… 


OK, I think it’s better if you read the actual story here…
 


One day a fisherman was lying on a beautiful beach, with his fishing pole propped up in the sand and his solitary line cast out into the sparkling blue surf. He was enjoying the warmth of the afternoon sun and the prospect of catching a fish.


About that time, a businessman came walking down the beach trying to relieve some of the stress of his workday. He noticed the fisherman sitting on the beach and decided to find out why this fisherman was fishing instead of working harder to make a living for himself and his family. “You aren’t going to catch many fish that way,” said the businessman. “You should be working rather than lying on the beach!”


The fisherman looked up at the businessman, smiled and replied, “And what will my reward be?”


“Well, you can get bigger nets and catch more fish!” was the businessman’s answer.
“And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman, still smiling.


The businessman replied, “You will make money and you’ll be able to buy a boat, which will then result in larger catches of fish!”


“And then what will my reward be?” asked the fisherman again.


The businessman was beginning to get a little irritated with the fisherman’s questions. “You can buy a bigger boat, and hire some people to work for you!” he said.


“And then what will my reward be?” repeated the fisherman.


The businessman was getting angry. “Don’t you understand? You can build up a fleet of fishing boats, sail all over the world, and let all your employees catch fish for you!”


Once again the fisherman asked, “And then what will my reward be?”


The businessman was red with rage and shouted at the fisherman, “Don’t you understand that you can become so rich that you will never have to work for your living again! You can spend all the rest of your days sitting on this beach, looking at the sunset. You won’t have a care in the world!”


The fisherman, still smiling, looked up and said, “And what do you think I’m doing right now?”


I am amazed by how my mind will think of something so vivid and real, sometimes. I’d be so excited of the specifics drawn in my mind; I could almost see it come true. But of course, in reality, it has not, yet.


The difference is, sometimes, I feel and know it will happen, and that it will happen soon...and true enough, it will happen. Yes, even with simple things! 


I feel I have unearthed The Secrets, sometimes.


But, most of the time, I’d forget. I'd forget the process.


I’d forget that the only way to make ‘the pictures’ in my mind to happen is to be grateful for what I already have- to stop pushing it, stressing about it, and rushing to make it happen.


The story of the fisherman and the businessman makes me rethink of what’s important, what really matters and where I am.


So today and hopefully I won’t forget anymore – I’ll just relax and be grateful for the life God has given me. I’ll always remember to live my life knowing that all my prayers have already been answered and that there is no need to get stressed with my timelines and the box I am putting myself in. Out of the box, I will be.
Let me forever remember that it is OK to stop wanting to be more, to do more, to have more. It is fine to hold off dreaming about “more” and to just savor the moment.


If it is meant to be, it will be. Just like what I do with the pictures on my mind. I let the pictures roll like movies on my mind knowing... with just plain knowing it will happen and then it will. It may entail some doing but, sometimes, it will be so easy it doesn't count. 


It is that simple. I hope it is always that simple every time.


The sun is up, the flowers are blooming, the birds are chirping. All is well.

All is well.


NAMASTE. 


 


Mother's Day in 2008

Remember my story about my very first mother's day here in the USA last May of 2008?

See original post here

I suddenly have an urge to reblog it here, so I will.

My Heart's Desires I See

It has been 8 years since we landed here in the US to work for the schools. For those who know me personally or follow this blog, you know I've moved and stepped up on my career ladder.

Loving New Work!

I am at awe at the circle of life and how my experiences of eight years here in the USA seems to connect and synchronize.

I started as a Special Education Teacher here in 2007. It was in 2011, when I had a shift and worked as an IEP Facilitator in the special education office and was given an opportunity to be of service to a total of eight schools in the district (HS, mid schools and elementary schools). 

My crazy year happened in 2014. January of that year, I decided to resign and work in an elementary school in one of the reservation areas. After four months, I decided I wasn't the right fit for the job, despite trying my 100%!

So I resigned, secured by the offer to work back as an IEP Facilitator. 

Some Things Never Change




I remember when I was a little kid. I was invited to play with my friends who have American friends who visited their home. I was overjoyed afterward. I told my parents it was the best day of my life because I got to speak in English! They asked me what I said, I told them, "Well, I was able to answer their questions with 'Yes' and 'No' and 'Thank you!" I couldn't contain my gladness! Lol.

5 Little Things About Santa Fe and Work

1. Slow Time
As I am sitting here at my desk while everyone's sleeping, I feel blessed to be a newbie at work. You see, I was supposed to travel to two of the districts we are working with down South of New Mexico, but with the paper, processes to get your travel approved, it didn't push through.  

Don't you love slow time at work? It feels like a time-out when you can recollect yourself, gather your thoughts and just eat your candy hehe... while learning the system!

A Boss Like Him!

He told me he's an atheist. He said "Maria, there is no God. Just like, there is no Santa Claus or Tooth Fairy!" Since he's my boss, I just have to respect his beliefs, even if I don't agree!

Nonetheless, that did not change my admiration for his leadership skills.

I got the job! :)

Should you be worried though? Nah. My personal philosophy is, if it's for you, it's for you. It's all a matter of wanting the job so bad, you will be awesome! It's also about finding that one job which will bring out the best in you...and will make you fulfill your life's purpose... [Interviews, Interviews and Some More Interviews]


I got the job, I'll start tomorrow and I am not sure what to feel! :)

Inclusion and its Woes

I have the best job in the world! I am just thankful to God for the opportunity!


See, I am an Inclusion Teacher. I work in the regular classes with special education students in the room. I help out kids just to make sure all accommodations and modifications are given, if needed. I also monitor the progress of their goals. Aside from IEP documents and meetings I have to attend to, and bus duty... that's all I do! Plus, of course, since I am a teacher I get to enjoy all the planning times, half-days, no classes and summers off. Am I not the luckiest?

Who Says, I Have No Choice?!

(continued from What's My Karma With Elementary?)

Even if my mind was set on becoming an IEP Facilitator again, I readily gave it up because I knew I was needed in the classroom. 

What I wasn't prepared for was the idea of going back to an elementary school and being told - "Maria, if you want to stay with the district then you have no choice but to accept the position in that elementary school!" - really bothered me a lot! I simply could not take it!

What's My Karma With Elementary?!

Yeeehaw

It was January, 2012 when I started Pinoy Teacher's Stories.. and I missed it! 


It has been 6 months since I last wrote my heart out and yep, it has been a while! A lot of things happened since April... as you were all aware, haha.. OK let me refresh you...

Bits and Pieces

Oh, I almost forgot about this. It was my 2nd year teaching in a district in New Orleans, this time, I was assigned to an alternative middle school setting, where over-aged students were placed, aka, worst of all!


6 years after

For a long time, I’ve embraced Leo Buscaglia’s “An investment in life is an investment in changeWhen you are changing all the time, you’ve got to continue to keep adjusting to change, which means that you are going to be constantly  facing new obstacles. That’s the joy of living. And once you are involved in the process of becoming,  there is no stopping. You’re doomed! You’re gone! But what a fantastic journey!” and change it is! 

Boomerang!

Funny, how our thoughts become our reality! I was just reminded of the experience, years back.


I went to pull out this kid for testing; I've tested almost all of the students in my area in preparation for their education program. The minute he sat down, I knew this kid, let's name him Bill, was different. Unlike all the other students who would just sit down and answer the test. Bill, was different. 

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