Hunger

I think we've all had those experiences that we dread, yet know the necessity of. For instance, I am currently in the midst of the three week period in the 'dungeon' before being released into the world of student teaching. I don't know about you, but six hours in the same room really doesn't appeal to me. However, I'm still going to subject myself to this three week, six hour block of instruction if only because I am hungry to be a teacher.

Are you hungry? Maybe you have an intense desire to prove yourself. Maybe like the man in this picture, you are just thankful to have some baked beans in the middle of winter.

No matter what you are hungry for, I'm betting that you had to go through some tough times, a crucible of sorts, to get to that moment of satiety. It's that hunger, that desire to see what's on the other side that keeps you going even in the toughest of times.

Battle

This morning I wasn't sure why I picked this image as today's Thought, but as the day progressed, I think it slowly became clearer. As many of you know, my wonderful girlfriend is studying abroad this semester, exploring the architecture of Rome and Istanbul. When we made the decision that she should study abroad, it was all rather quick. Heck, from finding out about the opportunity to filing all the paperwork, barely 24 hours had elapsed. So I suppose it's no shock that it hasn't really sunk in what this all actually means until this week.

Without a doubt, it's a battle without her here by my side, and I'm sure she would say the same. And yet despite all the tough times, the times when I just want her to fly home, I can't help but be excited and super proud of her, despite myself. You see I can't help but know that no matter what, she will return home to me, perhaps changed, but at heart still the same person I fell in love with scarcely five months ago.
What is your battle? I think that so many young people expect things to be easy. Going into this experience, my girlfriend and I knew it wasn't going to be easy. We knew there would be days we just want to give up. But we resolved to never seek to battle with the other. Life is hard enough, if we can't face it together, should we even be together? Instead of battling each other, we are together battling the rest of the world. Take this to heart folks, what is your battle? Are you, as many have said, fighting the good fight? Be kind, for every man (and woman) is fighting a hard battle.

Intense

Today's Thought is one that I've had floating around for a while, and yet I've never found a good way to present it nor discuss it. I think so much of the time we hear that people expect us to give 110% to any given activity or task. Without resorting to terms that Ron Swanson uses, I would tend to agree, it's silly to expect this kind of commitment.

As an agriculture teacher one of the biggest concerns that I have is becoming too committed to my work and burning out of a career that I love. It is important to remember that the intensity of which I pursue something, especially a career, must be carefully monitored.

Have you gone 110%? It usually doesn't work out too well. Find those things that keep you grounded. Find some hobbies. I'm the worst offender, sometimes I get so engrossed in something that I forget to eat. Truth be told, that level of intensity is never healthy. Don't give 110%. Give 100%. That's all you have.

Knope

My latest TV show hit has been the wonderful Parks and Recreation set in Pawnee, Indiana. This show chronicles the adventures of Leslie Knope, an at-times over-eager political leader who simply wants to do the right thing, going to great lengths to do just so. Throughout the show she is widely acclaimed as being the best at what she does.

What do you do? Are you a student? Teacher? Worker? No matter what it is you do, strive for excellence. Are you the Leslie Knope?
Teddy Roosevelt once said something to the effect that the best thing anyone can do is the right thing, the second best thing anyone can do is the wrong thing and the worst thing you can do is nothing. All Leslie Knope wants to do is what is best for her beloved city of Pawnee. Even though at times this zealousness gets her in trouble, she never loses sight of what is important. Whatever it is you do, do it with excellence and a keen eye to what is right. Do this, and you can't go wrong.

America

Ignoring the fantastic undertones of today's Thought, I think this phrase hits on an important mindset that has shaped all of us. When you think of the American Dream, a likely image is that of a poor immigrant who came to this country and made it big by working hard, being honest and always doing his or her best. Stereotypes aside, this image is very powerful.

This imagery (and phrase) tell us that what makes us unique is the fact that we believe if you work hard, play square with those around you, you should get some pretty good returns. If you sow goodness, you should reap goodness.

I think there's always going to be times when no matter what you do, it's just going to be thrown in your face, but on the whole I believe that this vision of the American Dream holds true. I don't think any of us would be where we are if we didn't wholeheartedly (implicitly) believe this statement. What will you sow?

Oaks

Today's Thought was born through the idea of spending the first three weeks of my semester in what is know (not so) affectionately as "The Dungeon". As I am taking the steps toward becoming a teacher, I can't help but notice how each day, each hour, is a small stroke toward felling the great oak of my student teaching experience. Each day, alone not much, adds up toward a larger goal.

What is your oak? Maybe like me, you are tantalizingly close to finishing a project, degree or licensure that you've been working on for some time. Or perhaps you are on the other end of the spectrum, just starting on your journey of a thousand miles.  I think the reason that so many people give up on their oaks is that they can't see the end goal, they don't care any less, they just lose focus of what they are trying to do.  The key is always giving yourself something to remember, something to say, "I did this today". While your oak may not be a towering tree, take the daily step to remember what you are working for and what you accomplished today.

Blindside

The seed for today's Thought was planted in the heat of battle. Here I was, feeling very overwhelmed by the sheer amount of work to be done. Even worse, this workload wasn't anticipated. I was blindsided. I think this comic from Calvin and Hobbes shows the issue of a blindside in a quite humorous manner. I think so many times I get in the mindset that I am invincible. I know everything that's going on, I know exactly what's coming my way and I am prepared to annihilate that task. Sometimes though, the Hobbes' of my life come in and show me that I am completely unprepared.

What is your blindside? What are we to do when we get totally overwhelmed, totally blindsided by life? I think a large part of life is learning to take all the curveballs and roll with them. I for one, have much work to do on this. Instead of hiding in my 'impenetrable' snow fort, I must make more of an effort to roll with the punches and truly be ready for anything.

Building

Today's Thought is one of those that I've been putting off for quite some time. Today marks a few different things. Not only is it the last 'first' day of my undergrad career, it is also the first day I step into the role of teacher. Thinking back over the years that have led to this moment, I can't help but see how things have built upon each other.

My Rome, has hardly been built in a day. Things worth having, important things, tough things - they take time. Even today, I'm drawing on things that I learned in my first teaching experience back in my high school chemistry class.

What is your Rome? Perhaps like me, it's a career and a way of life that you have cultivated over years and years of experience.  No matter what your 'Rome' is, just remember that something worth having takes time.