“Sometimes our light goes out, but is blown again into instant flame by an encounter with another human being.” ~Schewitzer
I realized the other day how happy I am with the people in my life. I don’t mean just the people I see every day, but I mean the people that are a part of my life for the long haul. These are people that always leave me feeling refreshed and rejuvenated after talking to them.
I realized this a few weeks back when one of my students was talking about how she feels like she can’t find anyone to fully trust to be her best friend. While this made me sad, I thought back to myself in 9th grade. I sure didn’t have that figured out yet either!! However, as I look at my life now, I feel SO overwhelmingly blessed that I have so many friends all around the states and even a few in different countries! I am still friends with a TON of people from high school, which seems rare these days. On top of that, I have all of my Gamma Phi Beta sisters and all of the Pi Kappa Phi guys. I have my friends from Salem high school, along with my friends from Hyperfit. I mean….one of the reasons I loved my wedding so much (besides that I married Jared haha) was because many of these people were all in the same place at the same time. Basically, this was a dream come true to have people from “all walks of life” celebrating with me on my special day. And now that I have moved to LA, I have my VCF friends and my friends at Campbell Hall.
I am not listing all of these groups of friends to prove I am popular…. Hahahah…. But rather I am doing it because I realized that I have created this world for myself that I love. And, sometimes when I really miss people, I have to remind myself how lucky I truly am. I grow through conversations with others. Whether those conversations are helping me with my split jerk, discussing a new lesson plan, helping me make a decision, or just discussing life in general; they are bringing a new perspective that leaves me feeling whole again because I have opened my mind to new possibilities. I encouraged my students by telling them that it takes a little bit of time to find those you can trust and those that make you better….but when you do, don’t lose them! I think this is a big reason that I love being a teacher. I learn just as much from my students as they learn from me. And Crossfit? Well, jeez…it is all about the inner struggle with yourself every day. We couldn’t survive without coaches, friends, and family at the gym.
Now……...how can I get all of my Michigan friends and LA friends together at one big party? I think my heart would explode.
Cheers to true friendship both near and far.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Sunday, February 26, 2012
On a Friday.
Every thought is a seed. If you plant crab apples, don't count on harvesting Golden Delicious. ~Bill Meyer
Eight minutes left of class and I decided that this was my last attempt to actually teach something substantial to my students today.
Last week I had to hold one of my classes in the boardroom because the big wigs were using my normal room for a meeting because they wanted an actual “classroom feel." So the ONE 9th grade class that I normally have a very specific seating chart for is now in a room with big, comfy rolly chairs that are all jammed together ……on a FRIDAY.
Wonderful.
The first half of class was a battle to get them to listen to how the next test is going to be set up and how to start brainstorming for their thesis statements. The second half of class was a battle to get them to start reviewing in small groups. But with 8 minutes remaining I realized this was my chance to get them to really leave for the weekend with something to think about. So I decided, at the last minute, to talk about The Open. After I explained the burpee WOD, it was funny to hear them say “wait….that is IT?”
hahaha oh children….if you only knew….
So I explained to them that, of course, part of this workout tests your conditioning and muscle endurance. However, a big part of it was really mental. It was just you and those burpees. There was no one to chase. There was no change in movement. There was no relief. And I closed my eyes for half of it, so all I could do was hear the voices of those coaching me along…… listening to Kris give me cues or Sue scream at me the last 30 seconds. I had to keep telling myself I was fine and to stay relaxed, keep moving, and not to let negative thoughts creep in. I mean…hey…they don’t call KAREN a OMMF (one movement mind #$%@) for nothing.
So I explained to my students (after demonstrating what a burpee was…in the board room..haha) that just because things seem difficultsometimes, their attitude is what makes or breaks them. All I hear around school is students talking about how they are going to fail the test, how they are stupid, or how other people are stupid… etc etc…negativity is just pouring out of those walls. I challenged them to be better than that and suggested they try to take the negative thought that enters their mind and switch it over to a positive one (Kudos to the Amundson seminar). I told them it wouldn’t be easy, but it will make them better and stronger and that I work on this myself every day.
You could hear a pin drop. I think they got the point. Or maybe they just thought I was nuts. Either way……cheers to another week of teaching, competing, and pushing myself to be better. Hooyah.
Eight minutes left of class and I decided that this was my last attempt to actually teach something substantial to my students today.
Last week I had to hold one of my classes in the boardroom because the big wigs were using my normal room for a meeting because they wanted an actual “classroom feel." So the ONE 9th grade class that I normally have a very specific seating chart for is now in a room with big, comfy rolly chairs that are all jammed together ……on a FRIDAY.
Wonderful.
The first half of class was a battle to get them to listen to how the next test is going to be set up and how to start brainstorming for their thesis statements. The second half of class was a battle to get them to start reviewing in small groups. But with 8 minutes remaining I realized this was my chance to get them to really leave for the weekend with something to think about. So I decided, at the last minute, to talk about The Open. After I explained the burpee WOD, it was funny to hear them say “wait….that is IT?”
hahaha oh children….if you only knew….
So I explained to them that, of course, part of this workout tests your conditioning and muscle endurance. However, a big part of it was really mental. It was just you and those burpees. There was no one to chase. There was no change in movement. There was no relief. And I closed my eyes for half of it, so all I could do was hear the voices of those coaching me along…… listening to Kris give me cues or Sue scream at me the last 30 seconds. I had to keep telling myself I was fine and to stay relaxed, keep moving, and not to let negative thoughts creep in. I mean…hey…they don’t call KAREN a OMMF (one movement mind #$%@) for nothing.
So I explained to my students (after demonstrating what a burpee was…in the board room..haha) that just because things seem difficultsometimes, their attitude is what makes or breaks them. All I hear around school is students talking about how they are going to fail the test, how they are stupid, or how other people are stupid… etc etc…negativity is just pouring out of those walls. I challenged them to be better than that and suggested they try to take the negative thought that enters their mind and switch it over to a positive one (Kudos to the Amundson seminar). I told them it wouldn’t be easy, but it will make them better and stronger and that I work on this myself every day.
You could hear a pin drop. I think they got the point. Or maybe they just thought I was nuts. Either way……cheers to another week of teaching, competing, and pushing myself to be better. Hooyah.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
We are all in it together!
So I realized that yesterday’s post was more focused on the negative aspects of the Open, while today I realized how cool it is that The Crossfit Open brings people together! We are all experiencing the SAME THING at the SAME TIME. Whether people are nervous , excited, scared, hate the WOD, love the WOD, making jokes or extremely serious…..we are all in it together. All of my crossfitting friends across the entire nation are with me….MAKING MEMORIES!
AND....if you know me...you know that is my favorite thing to do.
AND....if you know me...you know that is my favorite thing to do.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Let the Wild Rumpus....Start!
So the Crossfit Open starts tomorrow! I can hardly believe it. Last year I truly let the Open take over my life. I got nervous during the school day. I let my other training slide because I was so paranoid about doing the Open WODs twice. I checked the website a million times a day. I talked to everyone about each WOD to get different perspectives and thoughts. Don’t get me wrong. I am going to be nervous; it means I care! However, this year my goal is to control all of this. I don’t want my entire life to stop for 5 weeks because it is the Crossfit Open. I don’t want my extra training to fall to the wayside so I get to Regionals (hopefully) and am not prepared. I want to balance it all out and feel more in control than I did last year. Don’t get me wrong, last year’s Open went well. There were tears of joy and mostly PRs the second time I did the WOD. However, I think there is room for even more improvement this year when it comes to my mental state.
SO I am setting parameters for myself before all of this insanity ensues. If I set them up ahead of time, I will more likely stay on track.
My plan of attack:
1. If I start obsessing, I am leaving the gym (after I help judge, that is )
2. If people around me start obsessing, I will walk away and mobilize.
3. If I want to rest the day before I do an Open WOD, I will work on skills so my time isn’t wasted.
4. If I want to check the standings, I am only allowed to look three times a week.
5. I will not allow myself to get nervous while I am at school. I need to be there for my students, and I also don’t need to waste that energy. I need to save it for the WOD.
6. I am going to try and sign up for the same times each week so I don’t obsess about heat times....One less thing to think about!
7. I need to focus on the positive and stay focused on controlling the thoughts in my head. It won't be easy, but I will be persistent!
Persistence
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are out classed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of your-self before
You can ever win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.\
~Posted by Douglas Chapman at HyperfitUSA.com
SO I am setting parameters for myself before all of this insanity ensues. If I set them up ahead of time, I will more likely stay on track.
My plan of attack:
1. If I start obsessing, I am leaving the gym (after I help judge, that is )
2. If people around me start obsessing, I will walk away and mobilize.
3. If I want to rest the day before I do an Open WOD, I will work on skills so my time isn’t wasted.
4. If I want to check the standings, I am only allowed to look three times a week.
5. I will not allow myself to get nervous while I am at school. I need to be there for my students, and I also don’t need to waste that energy. I need to save it for the WOD.
6. I am going to try and sign up for the same times each week so I don’t obsess about heat times....One less thing to think about!
7. I need to focus on the positive and stay focused on controlling the thoughts in my head. It won't be easy, but I will be persistent!
Persistence
If you think you are beaten, you are.
If you think you dare not, you don't.
If you like to win but think you can't,
It's almost a cinch you won't.
If you think you'll lose, you're lost.
For out in the world we find
Success begins with a fellow's will.
It's all in the state of mind.
If you think you are out classed, you are.
You've got to think high to rise.
You've got to be sure of your-self before
You can ever win the prize.
Life's battles don't always go
To the stronger or faster man.
But sooner or later, the man who wins
Is the man who thinks he can.\
~Posted by Douglas Chapman at HyperfitUSA.com
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