Marbles

Tonight, I will move my forty- third marble in as many days. One act, day after day. Moving a marble is as simple as it sounds, but it's much more!

 

    For the last forty-three days I’ve moved a marble from one mason jar to the next. It was recommended from the book, Atomic Habits by James Clear. (I highly recommend reading it.) 

To move a marble, you have to write one positive thought about your day on a piece of paper.  I prefer a pirate looking journal. (It’s the simple motivations.) As a reward, you move a marble. 

 

    The task sounds mundane. But the tiny act of moving a marble each night has had remarkable results. For the first time in my life, I’ve been constantly journaling. I’ve also noticed I’m much happier. Seeing the marble tower grow helps me visualize my good habit and mindset. Because I’m developing this good habit, it shows in my attitude in and outside of my home and at work.

 

    What was supposed to be one thought has quickly become a page long of sentences, bullet points, and doodles. Because I’ve been journaling for forty-three straight days, that’s 43 days of positivity! Let me repeat that, 43 days of happiness, laughter, and history!

 

    Let’s be honest, not every day has been a happy one. But now I find at least one thing (usually many more) that were positives in my day. It doesn’t have to take a miracle to make it into my journal. Making my bed, reading my daily devotion, eating a breakfast at my dinner table are habits I do daily that usually get added. Then I add thoughts like, “laughed a funny joke a student told me”, “ate pepperoni pizza tonight”, “ran 3 miles”, or “went to the beach.” If it made my day better, I add it.

 

    I have one rule: no negative thoughts. For me it’s very easy to get caught up in the drama of a hard day’s work. When I find this journal hiding in my attic after seven years I don’t want to read about the negatives my life. I rather read about all the happy times I had and how I found littlest moments of sunshine. I’ll already know when a day was difficult by reading the date and recalling. No need to remind myself. This current journal has 124 pages. Which means I’ll have 124 days of positives! That’s a lot …and a lot of marbles. 

 

    Marbles signify my daily habit journaling. Journaling signifies my habit of writing positives. Writing positives signifies my growth mindset. My growth mindset visualizes this through the tower of marbles growing daily in my mason jar. Simple!

 

    You can bet I’ll be adding this journal and its streak to my journal tonight. Thus moving my forty- third marble!  

 

Moonshot

You can keep wishing and watching or you can get up and start living! 

 

    During my spring break two weeks ago, I chose to get out of my comfort zone. The week included trips to Bok Tower, a top-secret beach, and air boating in Boggy Creek! I went ziplining through jungles and springs for the first time. Finally, I capped off the thrilling week by riding Kumba, Montu, and starred down death in the front row of SheiKra! Many of my friends used the week to relax at home while I used it explore an unfamiliar world unbeknownst to me.

 

    This week was arguably life changing. I suited up and launched. I didn’t have friends around many of the activities I experience and even received alien looks by people when they noticed I was by myself. During that week, I kept the mission going! 

 

    Last year I many goals: run my first marathon, go bungee jumping, put myself out there more, etc. Then the year snowballed. From my foot injury that turned into surgery to a global pandemic that has changed our lives as we know it. Plans for all of us got put on a screeching halt. Every plan and goal I had was officially cancelled. 

 

    This year I’m back! I’m taking my shot to new heights…. literally! A goal I had last year was to skydive for my birthday. It’s been on my list since I was kid. I even wanted to be an astronaut, but when my seventh-grade teacher told me that would never happen, I quickly retreated on that dream. But we all Covid-19 cancelled that bucket list item…until now!

 

    A few weeks ago, I contacted a stranger in a group we follow and asked her to join me. To my surprise she agreed right away, even saying she had a chance to go with her friends not too long ago but regretfully had to pass at that time. If all goes to plan in the next few weeks, I’ll be taking the biggest leap (literally) of my life! 

 

    Skydiving has constantly been on my mind for years. To think it’ll finally happen soon, I’m so humbled and blessed to have this opportunity I’ve been seeking. It’s a discomfort of a whole new level.

 

    Do you have a moonshot? Are you on the right trajectory or are you delayed? Whatever your it is, it’s time to get on the pad and launch! 

Time

 

Today I woke up early to run at the location of my race an hour away. My routine was flawless, my timing was spot on, and just as finished my run I realized my car key was missing from my zipped pocket. There went my time…

 

    In late January, our school got the news our beloved principal would be leaving soon to prepare to be the principal at a brand-new school. I was selfishly devasted. Just seven months ago, I moved away from friends and a school I loved because this principal was the real deal. Now, she’s gone. I wanted more time to learn from her.

 

    Also in late January, I met a girl. We connected on multiple levels: religion, hobbies, and goals. We hung out a few times and had a great time. Less than two weeks later, she ghosted me. I wanted more time to know her.

 

    About every week or so, my mom and I talk. Okay, she’ll say I do the talking…but you know what I mean. It never fails that she’ll remind me how the plains of the Midwest are my first home and our family will welcome me back. But I want more time to live here. 

 

    I’m struggling with teaching. If you know my story, you know I’ve had the worst luck. I never feel as though I’m doing a good enough job. I feel so isolated and judged by everything I do. Sometimes it affects, other times I shake it off. I’ve contemplated quitting teaching after this year. The truth is, I want more time to figure out my what my heart is telling me.

 

    I saw a friend post about many well-known celebrities and professionals not having their fame and fortune in their twenties. Some didn’t even hit their stardom until their forties and fifties. It made me think that maybe I do have more time.

 

I have time to travel.

I have time to figure out my career.

I have time to find the right girl.

I have time to work out.

I have time to read books for hours.

I have time to sleep in.

I have time to not respond immediately to emails.

I have time to watch tv.

I have time to enjoy my weekend.

I have time to enjoy my weeknights. 

I have time to save money.

I have time to grow.

I have time to have fun.

I have time to spurge on myself.

 

    I don’t have my life figured out. Sometimes I even feel pressured to. I panic and start to regret all the decisions I made in the past. Then I remember, I’m where I am because I took risks. I chased my dreams. I followed my heart and went the career and life I wanted. So maybe I don’t have it all figured out, but I’m not going to stop trying because I still have time!  

 

One Word 2021: Hundred

“Mr. Potrzeba, I’m trying to give you a hundred, but I’m just so exhausted.” – current student

 

 

        When my student said that phrase it immediately stuck with me. That girl had worked extremely hard to get caught up on her work, even spending a few hours after school reading. She was also cooking and helping her own siblings with their homework…a ten year old. She exemplified what it meant to give “hundred” and that’s why hundred is my word for 2021.

 

        When I think of hundred, I think of words like: number, big, amount. But when I say, “give hundred”, it means more than the numerical value. To me giving hundred means maximum effort, all out, living life to its fullest, trying the best you can. 

 

        Everyone’s hundred will look different. What you give at a hundred on your best day will be different than what I give on my best day. That’s perfectly okay. Some days your hundred will vary pending on a number of factors: sleep, if you had your coffee or not, if you worked out before going to work, etc. That’s okay too.

 

        When the clock strikes midnight, flipping the calendar to New Year’s Day, we are immediately recharged. People flock to gyms and post their optimism all over social media, as we should. It’s an exciting time! People are ready to give a hundred! But what about after day 22 or day 97, 164, or even 322? 

 

        Giving a hundred for 365 days is not an easy feat, some might say near impossible. But with the right mindset or visuals: calendars, motivational notes, and a support team I believe it’s entirely possible!

 

        For example, today I was at the end of my run when that voice inside crept in and said, “It’s okay to slow down. You’re still recovering from surgery. There’s always tomorrow.” But I intentionally didn’t listen and pushed forward and accomplished my goal of running a mile faster than six minutes. That took giving a hundred to the very last second.

 

        Imagine how incredible your life could be if we all give a hundred. I personally think of everything I could accomplish. Afterall, if it’s important to you, you’ll find time for it. You want to read more? Set an alarm each day to read. You want to eat better? Create a grocery list and meal plan. You want to run a marathon? Start with walking or running a mile and build up. 

 

        Whatever your goals are this year give a hundred and just wait until you see the results! You got this! Have the happiest, healthiest, craziest 2021 EVER!

27

It’s that time of the year where we reflect on the year we had. Like others, I had a year. Normally, I’d do a year in a review, but I did that in my November blog. Since I turned 27 this year, let’s end the year with 27 things that made this year great.

 

1.     12 Blogs!  #GoalAccomplished

2.     Reading lots of books: Running with the Buffaloes, Projet 1065

3.     TV Shows: Tiger King, Ozark, the Mandalorian, Schitt’s Creek

4.     Surprising my students at sporting events and McDonalds

5.     Traveling to Oklahoma and Louisiana

6.     Switching schools in the middle of a pandemic

7.     Moving to a safer apartment with a great view

8.     Having my first surgery to repair my left foot

9.     Long bicycle rides with endless paths

10.  Winning a $500 grant

11.  Going on dates

12.  Eating at Raising Canes/ trying exotic food

13.  Visiting St. Augustine with my class

14.  Winning a professional development trip the Mall of America

15.  Giving out our first VIP jacket

16.  Traveling to Ohio with a friend for a week trip

17.  Having Courtney, Todd, Shane, Dustin, Juan virtual reads

18.  Getting kissed for the first time in years

19.  Giving away $500 in gift cards

20.  Sharing my story with former teachers at Cracker Barrel 

21.  Writing personalized notes to friends, family, and students

22.  500 High Five Fridays (before Covid-19)

23.  Running my first mile on Christmas, since January

24.  Having 27 projects funded, totaling over $5,000

25.  Building bookshelves

26.  Speaking to 100+ 4^th graders about books

27.  Meeting fellow Nebraskans in Florida

28.  Sunday night virtual read alouds with costumes!

29.  Showering for the first time after surgery…weeks later

30.  Finishing 2 online classes

 

Okay, so I added an extra three to the list. Despite all the downfalls, breakups, and injuries, I really enjoyed this year. I truly believe I grew more this year, than most. I’m excited to for the BEST YEAR EVER in 2021! You will too!

Year in Review 2020 Edition

Like most people, 2020 was a tough year for me. But it was also a really powerful year of growth in many ways. My word of the year ‘discomfort’ definitely was a foreshadowing.

 

        In 2020, I overcame some of the hardest moments in my personal life that very people know about. Most people know about my foot injury that happed in January, but very few know that the surgery that followed was not deemed successful. …Everyone knows about my decision to switch schools, but nobody knows much financially I gave up; or all the friendships I left behind to help a rebuilding school with teachers I didn’t know of. …Most people know I was in a relationship this year, but no one knows it ended suddenly when I was ghosted and blindsided completely. Those are the toughest moments. 

 

        This year had some really good moments. For me, this is my eleventh straight blog! I promise I’m going to write a twelfth in December and accomplish my ‘blog a month’ goal! It’s been helpful for my well being so I’m going to keep doing them past 2020. In April, I was invited to go on a spontaneous trip to Ohio and I accepted it. Little did I know during it, I’d go on a Survivor like adventure and get a phone call about an interview I dreamed of. As weird as it sounds being in a relationship and going through a breakup was really good for me so I’m happy it happened. I can’t forget the new apartment I moved in has a great view! I also learned how to cook! And finally, its been my best year of teaching I’ve ever done, and that’s without all the crazy classroom transformations. It’s been a good year! 

 

        In 2020, I matured. Maybe I’m hitting that age in a young man’s life or maybe I’m learning more about myself than I ever have. This year I lived in the moment and did things I would have never done in years past (…those things will remain a secret, sorry). I’ve also let go of countless things and that’s not the normal “Jordan Way”. In years past, I’m a fighter for what I want, but this year when the bell rung, I stopped. For all those things, I mentioned I’m really proud of myself.

 

        Did my year of ‘discomfort” live up to its name? Yes, it absolutely did! Did it go as planned? No, and if you find anyone’s year that went as planned, please let me know, seriously. I’m still optimistic I’m going to heal from my surgery and chase my dreams: going Skydiving, running my first full marathon, visit all 50 states, climb a mountain, and more! But all and all, I made the most of this year. 

        I grew up more than I ever have and learned life is more fun when you let go and live everyday as if it’s your last. I just know… 2021 will be the BEST YEAR EVER! 

Green Light

I pushed down my crutches, grabbed a chair, and then as gracefully as I could, I stood up on a desk. The students’ horrified jaws dropped in disbelief at what they were seeing their teacher with a broken foot doing. “Tonight, you’re going go home and tell your parents about this firsthand account about you just saw. Virtual students, I’m sure you’re going to share your secondhand account with your parents too. …Now can someone help me get down?”  

 

        The things I’ll do to teach a standard are almost endless. My first year of teaching in a private school I dressed up as Martin Luther to teach my class about the 95 Theses. Another year, I transformed my portable into a jungle with real fines and dirt that littered our floor where students had to dig for minerals and organisms. 

 

        The experiences we give students last a lifetime and I believe the time put into them are worth it. For me, even post surgery on a knee scooter and crutches…I’ve been given the     green light. Like the rules of the road, there are things I can do, can’t do, or can but with caution. 

        How is your personal life? Do you feel like the red light hasn’t changed in months? I’m raising my hand high to that. If you combine my foot injury in January, the global pandemic in March, moving new cities and schools in June, and surgery in September, I feel like I’ve been glued at the red light in a downpour of rain. I’m sure I’m not alone. 

 

        That’s why this month I changed my routine and the red light suddenly turned GREEN! It was the greatest feeling ever. I did a few things differently. First and foremost, I realized how I was feeling and was determined to change it. 

 

Here’s my list of changes I made. 

·      Changed my route to and from work once a week

·      Devoted more time to socially connect with friends in person 

·      Complete as much as I can on my school checklist each day

·      Went to bed at an earlier time

·      Spent less time on social media, more time reading & resting.

·      One day a week, it’s pizza day! (Sometimes ice cream) 

·      Sit outside when the sun is coming up and listen to nature

·      Focus only on what I can control and let the other things go

 

        Whatever you’re going through, whether you’re reading this now, or ten years from now, look up, you have the green light! It’s time to go (with a mask on)!