Turning the page...
and starting a new chapter
“Life is like a book: some chapters are sad, some happy, and some exciting. But if you never turn the page, you will never know what the next chapter holds.”
This past week Wisconsin professional sports had what most would consider very bad news - the Milwaukee Bucks lost in the NBA playoffs and the Green Bay Packers traded their future Hall of Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to the New York Jets. It definitely was a challenging few days for fans of those teams and I proudly qualify as a fan of both.
Once I got past my initial disappointment, I took a step back and tried to find “the silver lining” in these situations. Before I did that, being the research lover that I am, I looked up where the saying, “every cloud has a silver lining” originated. It is attributed to John Milton's 1634 poem "Comus," which includes the line, "Was I deceived? or did a sable cloud/Turn forth her silver lining on the night?"
Where is the bright side in these two seemingly unfortunate events? Well, I guess it depends on how you look at them.
For example, I found the reaction at the press conference by Giannis Antetokounmpo to be another example of why I am such a fan of his. When asked by a reporter if he viewed his season “as a failure” since they had lost, Giannis gave an emotional yet poignant response.
“Michael Jordan played 15 years, won 6 championships….the other 9 years were a failure?" Giannis asked. He then took a brief moment to compose himself and continued to make his case, without slinging insults or creating a confrontation that we too often see in today’s world.
His point was valid and reminded me that even famous people have genuine feelings and that we all need to remember the “golden rule” our teachers and parents taught us - whether we are reporters asking questions or ordinary citizens leaving comments on social media websites.
Another press conference, earlier that day, involved the other most famous face in Wisconsin sports, Aaron Rodgers. Many Packers fans were either delighted to see him leave or sad to see the end of an era. I personally felt a little of both, but mostly sadness.
What struck me more than anything watching the Jets press conference, besides the surrealism of seeing Rodgers with another team, was how nervous he was - a four time MVP, one-time Super Bowl champion, suddenly finding himself in a totally new working environment, with the famous New York press, reporting his every move.
Watching that reminded me that it takes a certain amount of bravery to step outside your comfort zone, leave everything you have done since you were 21 years old, and start over.
I did it in 2021 when I left my career as a teacher and watching Rodgers, I felt a strange sense of sympathy for him. Even someone with millions of dollars, all of the fame anyone could ever dream of, with accomplishments in every aspect of his profession, still found himself in the same place many others, much more infamous, have found themselves…Taking a chance, trying something different, going against what is expected of you, just because…you want to be a happier, more content person.
I wish him the best. Isn’t that what we should all do, for anyone who is brave enough to follow their dream?
This week’s Smile video
Twenty-five years ago, an inmate serving a life sentence in a Missouri prison wrote to a church outside St. Louis hoping that someone would write back. Ever since, Ginny Schrappen corresponded with Lamar Johnson, convinced that his 1995 murder conviction was wrong. In February 2023, Johnson was exonerated and released from prison. Now, the 80-year-old retired schoolteacher could finally welcome the former inmate in her home.
#believe #stevehartman #smilevideos
What I am reading…
This week I am continuing to read our current W.I.S.E. (Welcoming, Inclusive, Supportive and Engaged) Readers book selection entitled The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World by Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.
Here are some of my favorite quotes so far:
“The Archbishop cradled his right hand in his left. He hung his head in concentration. The goal was meditation, but I've never been quite sure where meditation ends and prayer begins, or where prayer ends and meditation begins. I have heard it said that prayer is when we speak to God, and meditation is when God answers.” - Douglas Abrams
“You are made for perfection, but you are not yet perfect. You are a masterpiece in the making.” - Desmond Tutu
“Acceptance, it must be pointed out, is the opposite of resignation and defeat.” - Dalai Lama
“We are fragile creatures, and it is from this weakness, not despite it, that we discover the possibility of pure joy.” - Desmond Tutu
“Discovering more joy does not, I’m sorry to say, save us from the inevitability of hardships and heartbreaks. In fact, we may cry more easily, but we will laugh more easily, too. Perhaps we are just more alive. Yet as we discover more joy, we can face suffering in a way that ennobles rather than embitters. We have hardship without becoming hard. We have heartbreak without being broken.” - Desmond Tutu
“It is not happiness that makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy. Every moment is a gift.” - Dalai Lama
This week’s TED Talk - Life Begins at the End of Your Comfort Zone
I have watched TED Talks for many years now. I love the wide variety of experiences and opinions TED Talks offer. Here is one I would like to share for this week:
Leaping off buildings wasn’t exactly something graduate student Yubing Zhang ever thought she’d do. But pushing beyond her comfort zone and taking that bungee cord leap taught her more than she ever could have imagined.
Holistic Wellness Spotlight - exploring the mind/body connection
I have read many books by Dr. Wayne Dyer and loved them all. This video summarizes five principles that were found throughout his writings. Again…positive perspective and thoughts can change your outlook, your life and your health.
National Poetry Month
This month I am sharing my favorites - Here is the final one and it is from one of my personal favorite poets, my father, Patrick C. Connors:
Children’s Corner
Author-illustrator Mélanie Watt teaches kids how she creates her famous characters, Chester the cat and Scaredy Squirrel. Enjoy!
StoryCorps
Last week I shared my love for StoryCorps and this week, in honor of National Library Week, I want to share my favorite library StoryCorps.
At eight years old, Storm Reyes was already working full time with other migrant farm workers in the fields outside Tacoma, Washington. One day, a bookmobile arrived and brought her new worlds—and hope.
Quote of the week
Until next week. Please remember…Begin and end each day with a grateful heart…and always, always be kind….