Facebook Envy...

Facebook envy: the phenomenon of feeling complete dissatisfaction with our lives when we view our friends' profiles, status updates, and the like on social media, specifically Facebook, but please allow me to extend this to all platforms. Obviously, my friends are living more exciting, successful, and meaningful lives than myself. And I am now admitting to feeling the green-eyed monster breathing down my neck and forcing me to do some major introspection right now. 

Coming off of the college high and realizing that I am not the only successful member of my high school graduating class was not news or even unexpected. (There were 600 of us; someone, or should I say multiple someones, was bound to be successful... right?) It's the feelings that seeing my peers' success is causing within me that is unexpected. Allow me to toot my horn a bit: I graduated with honors, with one of the highest awards you can receive from my college, and a resume that helped land me a job straight from college. So, I was feeling pretty proud after my May 9 graduation and excited for my 2011 classmates of Sparkman High School who had accomplished the same thing. So, what do I have to feel jealous about? Just wait, I'll get there. I am a fairly private person, so I doubt my Facebook friends are envying much of anything because I hardly post personal things to social media. Nonetheless, I stalk my peers on the Internet, lurking amongst the mass of "ghost followers" and "ghost friends" (is that a term? I'm not sure, but it's going to be...). While lurking and being happy for the success of my peers, however, I cannot help but also realize that I could have done so much more... or could I? I mean, I see the world travels, the exciting news, the new developments, and I can't help but wonder where those moments are in my life.

Hence, my major case of FACEBOOK ENVY (gasp, horror of horrors... cue the dramatic music now). Although many high schoolers don't know what they want to do with their lives, I was absolutely positive of my career path upon graduation. I was going to go to UNA, pursue my dream of being a high school English teacher, and then go out and get a job near my hometown and live happily ever after. And I am proud to say that I am now there, well, on my way to the happily ever after. I just need the husband, suburban house with the 2.3 children (or whatever that weird decimal is these days... actually, I'm not so sure about the husband and kids.) What I didn't know was that so many of my peers were also pursuing education degrees, and striving to make me feel slightly less than great (OK greatly less than great!) Here we are on the threshold of something awesome: influencing and educating our future! So when I see the epic accomplishments of said peers, I cannot help but compare myself. How is it that they are doing what they are doing? Aww man, why didn't I think of that? Wow, they are so creative; where's my creative Kool Aid so I can take a sip? Oh many, why didn't I want to move away from home again? My answer: I HAVE NO CLUE! 

(my interpretation of a dramatic reaction...refer back to line one of paragraph 2)

Don't get me wrong. I love teaching, well, at least so far. My school is great, my coworkers are great, my administrative staff is great, my students are great, and I have so much support it's not funny. But (of course, you could feel the but coming, couldn't you?) I feel so inadequate at times. I'm constantly internalizing and questioning myself? Am I really supposed to be doing this? What did they see in me? I am actually a 17-year-old's teacher? (Yes, I teach juniors) What else could I be doing better? Why am I so tired everyday? Does that mean I'm doing something right? The list could go on and on. The insecurities are there, and they are numerous, but I keep telling myself that you chose this, and you are well on your way to a fulfilling career.

On a more positive note, I was hired in with a slew of new teachers/ Among which is another fresh out of college grad who is also teaching English. We share our woes with each other, and knowing that I am not alone is a positive, but I also can't help but wonder about her success as well. She seems to be more prepared than I feel. Sometimes, I feel as if everyone knows something I don't know, and I am constantly wondering: did I miss the memo? I know I'm just in my first year, and everyone says that it's a learning experience, but let me just say, I'm am one of those people who does not like not knowing things, and to constantly be in this state of "faking it until I make it" has me on the struggle bus. Where did I go wrong? And, how can I fix it?

Let me tell you. I have been working on my relationship with God. It's not perfect, but I'm working on it. I pray for peace and direction. I know that the lord will lead my path, but this pesky flesh (and the devil) of mine still gets the better of me at times. All the doubt and insecurities come tumbling in and leave me overwhelmed, frustrated, and envious. But I have to remember to not covet the things of my neighbor (allow me to paraphrase there) and trust God to lead me to where he would have me to be. I know the lord has allowed me to be in this place at this point in my life for a reason, and I trust that whatever he has for me is for me. So until next time, God bless and maybe I'll get over my Facebook envy yet!


This post is vastly different than what this blog was established for. In my college years, this blog was used as my Honors Forum weekly update. Well, three years, graduation, and a job later, here I am. It's difficult to believe that I was awed to be a sophomore at the start of this blog. Now, I am a working woman with bills, a career, and students to influence. So in the name of my old send off...
<3 Best wishes!<3
Lesley

I Wanna Be a Millionaire So Freakin' Bad...!

Last week our speaker was Dr. Barry Morris,Office of Institutional Advancement & Professor Emeritus of Economics, and he spoke to us about the fiscal importance of civic engagement. He brought up the point that if you don't have money to help yourself, how are you supposed to help others? I think this is a very important subject, and Dr. Morris presented it to us in a very enjoyable manner. He gave us a handout titled: How to be a Millionaire Without Winning the Lottery. The handout showed us that if we invest money at a young age, then we can be millionaires by retirement age. Of course, it was a bit more detailed than that, but that was the gist of it.
Dr. Morris also told us about the scholarship program he set up here on campus. If UNA professors teach an extra year after their retirement, then all the money that would be going to pay that professor gets put into a scholarship fund. That professor can then set the parameters and qualifications of the scholarship. I think this is a great idea, and that if I ever become a professor and have this opportunity, I would definitely take part in helping pay for someone's education.
Dr. Morris also left us with the age old saying: "It's better to give than to receive." He told us that civic clubs are built on this premise, and that we should all act on it. He also told us to "Begin with the end in mind..."
I would now like to digress and just mention how hectic this week has already been and will continue to be... It is only Monday (my busiest day most weeks) and it feels like it should be at least Wednesday because of all the things I have had to do. It will be a mad dash to the finish to get everything done on time. This week is going to be crazy with final projects, papers, portfolios, and tests (I wish I could think of a "p" for more alliteration, but as Dr. Mac would say: I'm having a synaptic failure. I am also pretty sure that there is not one that I would feel comfortable using in this context, but I digress... again...). I am wishing everyone, including myself, the best of luck on these final assignments and finals!





and...

Best wishes everyone!

<3 Lesley<3

We Smuggle Jesus in Through the Cookies

Our speaker for this past forum was Dr. Tom Osborne, Professor of History Emeritus and Deacon, Episcopal Church of America. He told us about all of the different organizations and groups  he's involved with in his community. One such group is a prison ministry group called Kairos. This group spans local, national, and international grounds. There is extensive training that goes along with this program, but according to Dr. Osborne, it is well worth it. The ministry focuses on pouring love into the prisoners according to Dr. Osborne as well. They go back for monthly visits and keep up with the prisoners to make sure they are continuing to grow and mature through the program. 

Dr. Osborne also explained to us that Kairos is an ancient Greek word meaning "special time" or "God's special time." This makes me think about how much time we have left during this semester. Time is winding down quickly, and I have no clue where it all went. It seems like not too long ago we were just moving in, and now bye-bye to Thanksgiving and hello finals, which are right around the corner...! Ahhhhhgggg!!!! (This is me screaming by the way!) Where has the chronus time gone?! But I digress...

Dr. Osborne also spoke to us about The Help Center, which is an interdenominational center that aids the Shoals. They provide direct assistance with food clothes, prescriptions, and sometimes heat/utilities. It is staffed entirely by volunteers, and they raise money from church members, and there is also an option on the bottom of people's utility bills, in the Florence Area, to pay more money on you utility bill that would go to the Help Center to aid others with their utility bill. Dr. Osborne is the coordinator of chaplains at the Help Center. The chaplains aid people spiritually when they visit. In his experience, about 80% of the people who go to the Help Center come because of the drug abuse and devastation. There is also a sister organization called the Colbert Caring Center. In the end, I would like to leave you with a few of Dr. Osborne's words... "There is a natural human reluctance to service. You won't lose the reluctance, but you will overcome it." We all know this one: "It is better to give than to receive."

Wishing everyone the best of luck this week!

<3 Lesley <3

What do you mean a PDF... Is that some satanic cult?!

Immediate past president of the Florence Rotary Club, John Rusevlyan, was our speaker for this past forum. He also owns the local Weikert Realty firm. Mr. Rusevlyan is involved in various civic clubs such as Kiwanis, Civitan, Optimist, and Lions Club, in addition to his involvement with the Rotary Club. He also explained to us that the first Rotary Club was started in 1905 by Chicago attorney, Paul Harris. This was the world's first service club. The Rotary Club is invaluable because not only does it gather people of all types for service, but it gathers people for fellowship as well. The founder stated that he started the Rotary Club "[to create an] organization where men from different professions could gather for fellowship."
The club also has standards and responsibilities that it must live up to, and they are the following:

•  Sustaining or increasing membership (because if you're not growing or maintaining, then you're dying)
• Participating in service projects
• Supporting the Rotary Foundation financially
• Developing leaders

Individual club members have responsibilities as well: service, recruitment and retention, and attendance. Not only this, but the object of Rotary is to encourage and foster the following as well:

1. The development of acquaintance as an opportunity for service
2. High ethical standards
3. The application of the ideal of service in each Rotarian's personal, business, and community life.
4. International understanding

(Side note: I paraphrased on a couple of items on this list.)
The Rotary Club lists financially supporting the Rotary Foundation as one its responsibilities, so here seems like a good place to describe the Rotary Foundation which is a large endowment fund created to improve health, support education, and alleviate poverty. For instance, the Rotary Foundation funded Polio Plus, a movement to eradicate Polio. $1.2 billion was raised, and that allowed 2 billion children under the age of 5 to be vaccinated, thereby, eradicating Polio. Locally, the Rotary Foundation supports Shoals Scholar Dollars, which is a program that pays two years of tuition. Currently this fund is in its infancy, but it supports two years of tuition at Northwest Shoals Community College, if the student graduates fro high school with a 2.5 GPA and with no behavior problems.
In the end, Mr. Rusevlyan left us with this: "The Four-Way Test" of the things we think say or do

1. Is it the Truth?
2. Is it Fair to all concerned?
3. Will it build Goodwill and Better Friendships?
4. Is it Beneficial?

Beyond that, he also told us to get involved with things such as coaching, mentoring, church, civic groups, or business groups (like the Chamber of Commerce).
So, that's all folks! See ya on the flip side... ;) (Side note: This is for you Emily and our obsession with Bridesmaids)
<3 Lesley <3

Sandy My Darling You Hurt Me Real Bad... Oh Sandy!

This past week, our speaker was supposed to be Ms. Elizabeth Moore, director of Red Cross, but she had to cancel because of disaster relief for hurricane Sandy. For a while, we spoke about what all Red Cross does and the responsibilities of disaster relief. We also shared some of our own interactions and experiences with Red Cross. I also learned something new as well. In certain countries with different religious beliefs, the name changes. For instance, in Muslim dominated countries it is know as the Red Crescent and in Jewish dominated countries, the Red Diamond. Not only that, but Red Cross does more than just disaster relief. They also help with keeping families in touch with military family members if they are in high-risk areas or something that keeps them from communicating regularly. I did not know all of these things before last week, and that just goes to show that you really do learn new things all the time.
We also discussed all the different volunteer opportunities that people have taken part in so far this semester. Many people have done some very interesting things so far. I know personally, that I have enjoyed all of the things that I have done so far. From Lions Lend a Hand, to helping raise money for United Way, to giving candy and books for Halloween, I have had some great opportunities, and I can not wait to do more things for the people of the Shoals area. I wish everyone luck with their future endeavors and civic engagement opportunities.
<3 Best Wishes <3
Lesley

Scorched Trees, Male Models, and Civic Engagement Oh My!

Bradley Dean of Billy Reid was our last speaker for forum. He wears many hats for the Billy Reid company but I wrote down that he is the creative and digital design director. He is a UNA graduate and is very involved in the community. He's involved in many groups and committees that aim to keep the Shoals beautiful and more specifically historically preserved and clean. Mr. Dean had a very inspiring subject, even despite his nervousness and sporadic nature. He basically told us that it is our duty to go out and find out for ourselves what we need to know to get the things done that we want to see done.
Beyond that, Mr. Dean also told us it's OK not to be a leader. All of our lives we are always told to be leaders, but Mr. Dean showed us a video clip that sums up this myth quite well. A leader is just a nut job if he or she does not have any followers, so we should sometimes courageously be a first follower. Because, if not, "there is no movement without a first follower." Not only that, but one can not be a good leader without being knowledgeable; therefore, we should also soak up knowledge from elders and learn how to pitch ideas so that we can change problems where we see them. Mr. Dean did this by experimenting with growing organic cotton, joining the Heritage Preservation Inc., joining the Historical Board, and coming up with new and innovative ideas for First Fridays.
Mr. Dean gave us a lot to think about after speaking to us on Monday. I never quite looked at things the way he did, and he has inspired me to make sure I do things to the best of my ability, and be the change that I want to see.
<3 Best Wishes and Happy Days for all <3
Lesley
XOXOXOXO

If You Want to Meet Somebody, Find a Civic Organization... Don't Go to a Bar!

The speaker for our last forum was Ms. Leslie Tomlinson of The Junior League of the Shoals. Ms. Tomlinson gave us a history of the National Junior League as well as some history on the Junior League of the Shoals. She told us that in 1901, Marry Harriman, a 19-year-old debutante from New York City, formed a service group that would later become the first Junior League. And she also explained how in 1921, the Association of Junior Leagues of America was formed from the 30 active leagues across the nation. This group also later morphed into the Association of Junior Leagues International, it's current title.

On a local level, the Muscle Shoals District Service League was founded in 1934, and they went through the process of converting to a Junior League a few years ago. The service league was best known for their Apple Annie Day fundraiser, and they still participate with it. Not only does the Junior League participate in that, but they also take part in many other fundraisers and civic engagement activities. Ms. Tomlinson let us know that it also provides great networking and social opportunities, as it addresses the most critical needs of the community.

It was great having Ms. Tomlinson as a speaker, but currently we are not able to get involved with the Junior League because of the 24 year-old age limit. I understand that they do not want to have college students use the league just to get volunteer hours for another organization, but I believe that any help is a good help, and that it should not matter how old they are or what they are claiming the hours for. I also know that this is a prestigious group to be a part of, but some of their practices can come off as a bit pretentious, despite Ms. Tomlinson qualifying the group. Now, I don't want to put the Junior League in a bad light because someone may feel like they belong to that group. I however, do not think that it is a good fit for me, and especially not for my present needs.

Wishing everyone a Happy Halloween! =)
<3 Lesley <3