A Reminder for Educators

I'm Brian Martin, a second grade teacher who find so much joy and fulfillment in what I do. Being in the classroom for almost 20 years, I know all about the time, effort and energy that you are continuously pouring into those you serve. That's why each week, I'm going to bring you an inspiring message to give you a little joy, and help fill your cup back up. Thank you for being here. And welcome to the teaching champions podcast. What's going on everybody? I hope this finds you striving and thriving in doing absolutely amazing. I want to share a story with you that I came across this week. When I read it. I knew right away that this is something that I wanted to share with you. There's so many great takeaways. And I think you're really going to be touched by this. Now this is a story. That's an excerpt from chicken soup for the couch soul, and it's titled, never too old to live your dream. The first day of our school, our professor introduced himself and challenged us to get to know someone we didn't already know. I stood up to look around. When a gentle hand touched my shoulder. I turned around to find a wrinkled little old lady beaming up at me with a smile that lit up her entire being. She said Hi handsome. My name is Rose. I'm 87 years old. Can I give you a hug? I laughed and enthusiastically responded, of course you may. And she gave me a giant squeeze. Why are you in college at such a young innocent age? I asked. She jokingly replied, I'm here to meet a rich husband, get married and have a couple of kids. No, seriously? I asked. I was curious what may have motivated her to be taking on this challenge at her age. I always dreamed of having a college education. And now I'm getting one. She told me. After class we walked to the Student Union Building and shared a chocolate milkshake, we became instant front. Every day for the next three months, we would leave class together and talk nonstop. I was always mesmerized listening to this time machine, as she shared her wisdom and experience with me. Over the course of the year, Rose became a campus icon. And she easily made friends wherever she went. She loved to dress up and she reveled in the attention bestowed upon her from the other students. She was living it up. At the end of the semester, we invited rose to speak at our football banquet. I'll never forget what she taught us. She was introduced and stepped up to the podium. As she began to deliver her prepared speech, she dropped her three by five cards on the floor. Frustrating a little embarrassed, she leaned into the microphone and simply said, I'm sorry, I'm so jittery. I gave up beer for lunch. And this whiskey is killing me. I'll never get my speech back in order. So let me just tell you what I know is we laughed she cleared her throat and began. We do not stop playing because we grow old. We grow old because we stop playing. There are only four secrets to staying young, being happy and achieving success. You have to laugh and find humor every day. You've got to have a dream. When you lose your dream, you die. We have so many people walking around who are dead and don't even know it. There's a huge difference between growing older and growing up. If you're 19 years old and lying in bed for one full year, and don't do one productive thing, you will turn 20 years old. If I'm 87 years old and stay in bed for a year and never do anything. I will turn 88 anybody can grow older, that doesn't take any talent or ability. The idea is to grow up by always finding opportunity and change. have no regrets. The elderly usually don't have regrets for what we did, but rather for things we did not do. The only people who feared death are those with regrets. She concluded her speech by courageously singing the rose. She challenged each of us to study the lyrics and living them out in our daily He lives at the IRS and Rose finish the college degree she had begun all those years ago. One week after graduation, Rose died peacefully in her sleep. Over 2000 college students attended her funeral and tribute to the wonderful woman who taught by example, that it's never too late to be all you can possibly be. When you finish reading this, please send this peaceful word of advice to your friends and family. The really enjoy these words have been passed along and loving memory of rose. Remember, growing older is mandatory. Growing up is optional. We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give. So good. There's so much wisdom in truth within the words of that story. And when I read it, there's just a few things that come to my mind. Maybe we never stop laughing. Maybe we find that humor each and every single day. Maybe we see it in our classroom, and maybe we see it outside our classroom. Maybe we embrace our goals and realize our goals are meant for us. They can be big ones, or small ones, professional or personal. It doesn't matter. As long as they mean something to you. And as long as they feel your purpose, and they get you excited and get you ready to attack the day. May we not miss out on seeing the opportunities and change? Maybe not us this year is saying we want to erase it from our memories. But may we look at the bright spots, the special moments that gave us the things we learn the growth we made, and the things that we'll be taking with us going forward. May we do our best to do things we dreamed of write that story, paint that picture, take that journey, take those chances and do those things we dreamed of. I appreciate you guys. What you do, the lives you touch. It's not an easy profession. It takes its toll. But what we do is special. So thank you. And I appreciate your time and being part of this teaching champions community. If you could subscribe, leave a review, or share this with someone that you think would benefit. I truly appreciate it. It's all about serving each other, supporting one another, lifting each other up. And always remember, it doesn't matter whether you're from rural America, to urban America, to Canada to Spain by rain. We're all on that same team. We're all on that same mission. And we're always better together. My challenge for you this week, find the laughter in the day. We can get caught up in the daily stresses are the things that need to get done all the obstacles that life throws at us and it affects us. We can forget to see that happiness in the day. We can forget to see the joy that's out there. We can lose that laughter So find it. Welcome it, accept it, and share some laughs this week. Keep being amazing, my friends. And as we go out into this week, may you step into strength, may you step into your shine, and let's build these champions up. Have a great week, everybody.