And yes, it’s me, Kristen, owner of The Bright Cookie, former teacher of 21 years, wife, mom, and plenty of other titles (ha!), and I have… Just some things to TACO-bout…. You read that correctly. I am the queen of cheese and love to be engaging and…well, I said it… cheesy.
This season of life…
It has opened up a floodgate of emotions, honestly.
- 😊I have been blessed beyond measure with my business and the new authors and publishers I have met, some of whom I have begun to get to know beyond a strictly business role. I have had authors mentor me, be patient with me, give me raving reviews that mean more than the world to me, and genuinely respect my work.
- ❤️I have had a mentor, Malia Rivera, whom I have grown to love and respect through her small group training, advice, and support. (With her guidance, my TPT sales are almost 6x what they were last year!)
- 🫠My business has grown, yet that has come with learning how to manage my work and family time. This isn’t easy when you are in the process of building your business.
And then…
- 😢My son switched school districts from the district I grew up in (K-12) and then taught in for 21 years. He is now going to Lovejoy ISD, which is 7 minutes from where we live instead of an hour away. (Yes, there were days I was driving 4-hour round-trip journeys taking him to and from school.) He struggled with the idea of this for the longest time, causing many hard conversations involving tears and frustration.
- 😓His anxiety got to an ALL-time high at the end of last school year, which caused panic attacks, sleepless nights, and starting a 504 with the school district. This Mama’s heart was broken in two.
- 💔I, unfortunately, had to start therapy myself due to things in my past that have resurfaced and caused much anguish and pain while learning to truly heal from those experiences. Learning how to cope, to handle my emotions correctly instead of holding everything inside. This is dating back to issues I dealt with as a 14-year-old, a 19-year-old, 21 years old, 29 years old….and so on.
- I have been one to bottle up my emotions and deal with anything that comes my way all on my own. This is a PROCESS to not do this after 43 years of life.
However, no matter what I am going through at the moment…or what kind of day I am having…. I have learned to have a voice
with GRACE.
(Now this is what to TACO-bout!)
Folks, it’s all in the delivery, the reaction or response, the words you use.
Words cut deep. Some words can be forgiven, but not forgotten.
Remember this in your classroom–You may be the only positive voice to that child for the day.
Remember this with your colleagues or people you are working for (or are working for you). Like I said, words cut deep.
When I have had to deal with this both professionally as a teacher, and in my business today…it’s gut-wrenching. This is where the whole “have a voice- with grace” comes in.
- I recently had to turn down business (which would have been a long-term business deal) after being disrespected and berated. I chose to, with grace, turn down the business arrangement. I had a voice.
Remember this with your family and loved ones.
Sometimes you may be overwhelmed, frustrated or upset.
Sometimes you may have had a bad day.
On occasion, for no reason at all…… You say words that are unkind and/or disrespectful. Sometimes people say things to intentionally hurt the other. Sometimes as a parent, the tone in your voice can impact your children in ways you don’t even realize.
In all of this, the Golden Rule comes to the forefront.
Simply be kind. Treat others how you want to be treated. Go that extra step to be observant of those who may need a kind word that day.
Compliment.
Acknowledge.
Give Praise.
Leave someone a note.
Pause before reacting.
Noone can control what happens to them, but we sure can control our responses and reactions.
Two cents
From yours truly,
