Heart Choices: What I Learned This Spring -->

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What I Learned This Spring



It's been some time since I last posted on Heart Choices. I plan to return to a regular writing schedule. But before I embark on this new journey, I wanted to take the time to reflect on some of the things I learned in the previous season. After all, I consider myself a lifelong learner.

Here is my list in no particular order:

1. If you keep doing the same things, you can expect the same outcome. I learned I needed to do something different. 

Since 2010 when my life turned upside down, I allowed my emotions to dictate my habits. For most of my adult life, my weight was stable, and I exercised at least six days a week. But I returned to work in a completely different profession (a preschool teacher), moved to a much smaller condo, and became a bit overwhelmed with all the changes. As a teacher, there are always so many temptations in the way of snacks. Teaching little children can be tiring, especially when you're as old as I am. So my exercise and healthy eating habits got dropped and became quite sporadic instead.

My husband Greg and I decided enough was enough. We had to do something different. So, we went to Red Mountain Weightloss. My goal was to lose the extra 20 pounds I'd accumulated. I began the program and stuck with it. In the process, I lost 24 pounds! I am back to regular exercise and healthy eating and feel so much better. One of my goals was to be able to fit into my Worth Collection clothes. And they fit perfectly!

I had to change what I was doing to get different results. Now, I plan to continue to choose healthy habits to maintain this new weight.

2. It's good for me to work with younger women.


I teach in a private school that begins in Pre-K and goes through 12th grade. I think I must be the oldest teacher, but that doesn't bother me. I find it keeps me on my toes as I listen to a younger generation of co-workers. Even though I am old enough to be their moms, I've developed relationships with the other preschool teachers. There are things I can teach them, but there is also much I learn from them.

3. The lifecycle of the butterfly never gets old.


Spring is a fun time of year in preschool. The temperatures are rising, and the flowers are in bloom. Butterflies and hummingbirds flutter their wings as they feed on the nectar of colorful flowers. It's time to teach the lifecycle of the butterfly to my students.

Caterpillars feast until they grow bigger and fatter. They form a cocoon or chrysalis around themselves. Over time, they emerge as a butterfly. My class of little ones has the opportunity to see with their own eyes this miracle of change.

Little Sos excitedly states, "caterpillar, cocoon, butterfly" as Sterling adds "chrysalis." I love to see the learning process.

4. I discovered a new face cleaning regimen that works for me.


My aesthetic nurse friend referred me to a product line called Simply by Nature. They are relatively inexpensive, and everything is natural. I keep the serum and moisturizer in the refrigerator. I apply them in an upward motion, and my skin feels so soft and clean after using them.

5. I have a great job with summers off.

I worked as a nurse for 25 years. Now I'm working as a teacher. One of the best benefits of teaching is I have the summers off. I used to think teachers have it easy as nurses work all year long. But I realize that teachers need that break to get refreshed and energized for the next class of students.

For me, having summers off gives me the much needed time to write. I've been working on two books and even received edits back on one of them. With limited morning time to work on my writing, summers provide me with uninterrupted time to focus. For that, I am so grateful.

I'm linking up with Emily J Freeman as we share what we learned this spring.


Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
Debbie Petras
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6 comments:

  1. It's great to see you back in this space again, Debbie! And what a blessing you must be to the younger teachers and to the students. With age comes wisdom! :)

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  2. Thanks Lisa! It's good to be back. And yes, hopefully with age comes wisdom. :)

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  3. I’m excited to read your blog again! Your point of view is always refreshing! I look forward to reading your books ❤️
    Heidi Rosetti

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  4. Thanks Heidi! I can always count on you, my friend.

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  5. Oh, Lisa, I'm so thrilled to hear from you through this post and hats off to you for your weight loss. Way to go!!! I look forward to your being back to the blogging world. Hugs to you!

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  6. It's nice to see you blogging! I don't blog as regularly as I used to but I always enjoy it and visiting others when I have time.

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I love to read your comments! I know you have something to share so join in the conversation. And thank you for taking the time.

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