Blog Archives
Vacation of Positive Stories
I know all of you want to hear about how Alaska was and I will tell you soon. When you work on a cruise ship for any number of weeks or months you meet some amazing people. On my working vacation to Alaska I had the pleasure, opportunity, and requirement to meet new people on the ship. I love meeting new people and I felt It was important to share some of their stories first. I talked to people of all ages and I seem to find teachers or retired teachers the most. Those people have given me such a wealth of knowledge and inspiration to take home with me. Not to mention several books I need to read now too!
Most of the stories or moments I want to share with you were shared with me after I have inspired them with my positive journey in life. Where I was, when I started, where I am now and where I am going. I was so fascinated that these people were so inspired by what I am reaching for in my life. It really keeps the fires of hope burning on my end to keep going.
So here is a couple of short stories of people I met on board!
This lady had heard my background of working with Students with Autism and she then told me her story. She used to be a Peacock Dancer. She had to explain this to me. She was a folk dancer back in the olden days and she would literally dress as a peacock and perform on many stages. She was with a performing group that allowed the audience to come up and meet and mingle with the dancers after the show. One of her favorite parts. A girl in a wheel chair came on stage and this lady was first to greet here. The girl said “that was an amazing performance” the lady can see that she was also blind graciously accepted the compliment and proceeded to ask if the girl wanted to touch her dress. The girl was thrilled. She touched the silky dress, the big feathers and even the sequenced shirt. The girl was in heaven the whole time and lastly said “you must look absolutely beautiful.” I was about in tears at this; there was no way I can repeat this story like the lady told me, but man it was so touching. After all these years she has been able to hold on to that beautiful memory and I bet the girl will remember it for years to come too.
A lot of starter conversation are, is this your first time to Alaska? For this older couple it was, for a lot of people it was. They were a very modest and quite couple but they held a key to their long marriage that was one of the cutest things I have ever heard! This was their 50th wedding anniversary, so congratulations were in order that night. I asked them what made them choose an Alaskan Cruise for their 50th? “Every year we visit a new state for our wedding anniversary. We started at our 2nd year but we have been visiting each state in order ever sense. Next year we will visit Hawaii as the 50th state of the United States.” I was in such awe, that was so cute. I left a bit of mystery though; I wonder what they plan to do next?
As a worker on the ship I got to go on tours for free, if I was chosen of course. I went on this tour to hear about Alaskan Native Indian culture and see the largest collection of totem poles in the world. There was a lady in a wheel chair and she was there with her sister. I took it upon myself to take over pushing the wheel chair around because I know the sister would not be able to do the hills. I also realized had I let one of the tour people assist her she would not have gotten to see very much, or as much as she wanted. I took her where ever she wanted and made sure she could get the best picture from each spot. I never thought twice to help these ladies and I still enjoyed the tour also. The lady in the wheel chair and I small talked here and there. I have no complete idea why she is in the chair but she has such a positive outlook on life and a positive attitude to prove it, it did not matter. She just made this day even better for me.
When you meet people that have cruised a lot chances are they love the ship that they are on too. I meet this amazing couple that I talked to everyday of their cruise. They have been on the Volendam (ship I was working on) for over 180 days worth of 7 to 14 day cruises. Now that is a lot of time on one ship for sure. They loved the ship and loved the idea of knowing where everything is as well. They also loved to collect unique jewelry as well. Not just for them but to pass down thru the generations to come. They find most of their unique items well cruising for sure. I asked them how much longer there will be cruising. They had no end date. I do wish them all the best in their continued adventures.
There are so many stories that I could share with you but I figured I would stick with a hand full of the best! Meeting new people was only a morsel of time in Alaska. I did so many new things, and my time alone with Alaska was always adventurous and breathtaking. There will certainly be more posts about Alaska!
Meme Monday (Inspire Challenge)
When you accomplish a goal or succeed in something very challenging you feel great right? It is that feeling that you need to use to inspire a new goal or challenge in your life. Goals give you life and life gives you challenges. It is a big circle of accomplishments in your life and all you need to do is get up and get started!
Please share your GOALS, CHALLENGES, and STORIES right here or on my Facebook page, and be sure to share my posts with your friends.
https://www.facebook.com/UPwithmarc
LIFE
Why am I here? I reach that point of pure inspiration and I have no idea how to explain it. My life struggles are merely a matter of opinion. Plenty of others have it far better or worse than I do. I continue to rise every morning in search of the unknown. Some days I have full confidence in where I want to be in my life, other days I wonder if I am insane. I get asked again and again the purpose of my blog, the purpose of my desire to be a motivational figure, and the purpose of my new life. All people, positively curious, want a fine tuned answer of where I am going. I don’t have an answer. We set goals and work towards them all the time, but sometimes there are bigger things in life then even your goals. Sometimes you wake up in the morning and you just let life happen.
Sure I want to be a motivational speaker but have I narrowed down what I want to motivate people about? NO. Right now if I did that I would be narrowing my view, narrowing my life. This is a concept I finally understand. I remain open to catch everything. I talked a few times about heartbreak, but truthfully it is that heartbreak that has lead me to who I am today. Any negative opinions of my challenges, successes, and my journey just don’t matter anymore. If you can believe it I am transforming myself little by little into the most positive person I have ever known.
Sure, I make mistakes, big mistakes. You would to when you try to introduce your positivism in a negative world. The biggest thing I have thought about my whole life is how different I am from everyone, from my style all the way down to my thought process. I am nothing close to perfect but I am original.
Everything I do now in life carries great purpose. When I struggle to meet goals or even find love in my life I realize that there is a higher purpose that I have only begun to discover. I am grateful I have found this journey. I am grateful you have read this and I am grateful you are part of my journey. This journey is far from the beginning and far from over.
After a little over 2 weeks it is good to be back. For the month of March I will be doing 31 days of Gratitude. I will be posting one thing I am grateful for everyday on my Facebook Page. Be sure and check it out each day and I encourage you to write what you are grateful for in the comments below each day.
Everyone is Mr. Marc!
The main teacher is not in today so it is the aids and a substitute with our 7 students with autism. We get a phone call in the morning from one of our student’s mothers:
Me: Good Morning Mrs. (name removed)’s class this is Mr. Marc.
Mom: Hi this is (name removed) mom. I just wanted to let you know that we had some trouble this morning. He had a bit of a break down this morning because we didn’t have a frozen water bottle for him. Do you have a refrigerator/freezer in the room?
Me: Yes we have a small one. I will put it in there for him as soon as he gets here.
Mom: Thank you so much; what was your name again?
Me: Marc!
Mom: Oh ok so you’re his new teacher (aid)! His father he calls dad but every other adult male he meets, he calls Marc! Everywhere we go, everyone is Marc!
Me: I am pretty sure you just made my whole day!
The Conversation went on about what we have been helping him with, his work and eating habits.
There is a little boy running around Florida calling everyone Marc. I work with students with Autism from kindergarten to 2nd, some of them have other conditions, some of them can talk and some cannot. To hear that I have made such a big impression in such short time puts nothing but smiles on my face for the days to come. There are certainly good days and bad days, easy days and hard days, and progress can be slow. If you step back and see where the students had started to where they are now, that’s when you can fill your heart to know that you are making a positive change in their lives. His back story I cannot share with you but he has evolved quite a bit in our classroom.
I know everyone in Florida is now Mr. Marc, but there are plenty of other people that make this educational program successful. Being new I am very grateful to have made such a positive impact not only in my class room but around the whole school. I am fortunate enough to be able to take my students out of the class room and mix them with other student and I also work with the after-school program. All day with all the students in the school, I am tying shoes, helping them with art projects, helping them with homework, guiding them through games and exercises at physical education, fixing friendships, teaching them new words, growing their independence, playing tea parties, playing games with them that they just make up, and much more. Fortunately for you, all you will see is the rewarding parts of my job. My job is not easy there are many challenges, but If I can go home knowing I made just a little bit of a difference each day, it is enough to come back and do it again each day. It is enough to start each new day with a smile.
That is just what we need, start each day with a smile and make sure you love what you are doing. Working with elementary school kids has put an amazing spin on my life. There is much gratitude for all of you who have helped me on my journey but right now Mr. and Mrs. Maiden can take credit for helping me find this job.
I did not originally come down to Florida to work in a school at all. But one event lead to another and here I stand as an Elementary ESE Paraprofessional for students with Autism and the job has grown into so much more. Thank you very much Mr. and Mrs. Maiden for helping me fill Florida with so many Mr. Marc’s. 😉
Variety Friday (Alexander Perls – Storm)
I love songs with no words. It gives you a chance to create your own story with beautiful music. When I listen to this song “Storm” by Alexander Perls it really makes me think about my life transforming right before my eyes. All the troubles are washed away from you and the pure rain is falling and filling you with all the greatness to come.
The next time it rains go outside with this song and just look straight up. As you hear this song and feel that positivism hitting your face and soaking right into your soul, you then can make that great connection with your life.
I hope you can find inspiration in this song as I have. I hope everyone has a great weekend.
If you have not already share my blog with your friends and family and check out an like my Facebook as well.
Much gratitude to all of you.
Variety Friday (Fortune)
What if the fate of the world relied on your fortune cookie?
Yes, yes, I know fortune cookies are just fun for most, but how many times have you gotten one that was right? I just got one on Wednesday that really nails it for me right now.
“Your spirit of adventure leads you down an exciting new path.”
This fortune could not be more right. My life is full of adventure, including adventures within! You better believe it is an exciting path. Everything in our life has value, every person we meet has value you. The first step in discovering the value of things or people you encounter in your life is to BELIEVE! If you don’t have belief that it will work or benefit you there is no chance it ever will. If you just believe, you are that much closer to an opportunity for something very exciting in your life. I can guarantee that people’s lives have been forever changed simply at the crack of a fortune cookie. Those messages are all pre-written but perhaps we are all meant to find that fortune that changes our life?
I’M NOT DONE YET!
Sometimes you have to give up everything to find the one thing you want the most. Only the strong can make that risk. Only the strong can let go of every comfort they know. Only the strong can venture away from a career they have mastered for something new. Only the strong can walk away from people that love you and the people you love. Only the strong can fail 100’s of times and still reach for what is right in their heart. We can do anything. You can do anything, you are strong. You just have to take that risk and get started. There are better things out there for your life, you have to be strong enough to go after them.
Slowly but surely I will find where I belong and search the planet to find those that share my same views as we unite. I will climb my mountain of failures and raise a flag that says “I’M NOT DONE YET” If I can breathe there is still hope for something better. If I have a heart beat I can still love, and my soul will guide me. All I have to do is listen, hope for the best in life and be grateful for anything hope brings me because this is my life! I decide my life.
The easiest most attractive path is not always the right one and before long you are too comfortable for change. Get uncomfortable and change your path. Change your life, take risks, and be strong. You are not done yet!
Meme Monday (Believe)
Step 1. Believe
Step 2. Succeed
Be sure to follow me here and like my Facebook for more things positive!
Dinner with a 1st grader
Usually I use Wednesdays to talk about ways of positivism but I am going to change it up for a worthwhile story about going to the Chinese buffet.
2 Fridays ago I went by myself to the Chinese buffet. A well known fact about me is that I LOVE buffets and I cannot resist going to them. The daughter of the owner was talking and giggling to her mother while I was paying my check.
The mom then asks me “do you work at (censored) Elementary School?”
I said “yes I do.”
“My daughter says she sees you at P.E.” (Physical Education)
“Yes that would make sense; she must be in first grade.”
“Yes”
I turned to the daughter and told her to make sure she said hi to me the next time she saw me in P.E.
I did not see her the whole week but I did end up going to the same buffet this past Friday. I saw her there but I did not say anything. I sat down went about my business stuffing my face with Americanized Chinese food. That little girl came up to me and asked if I remember her. Of course I did. She was also sad that she did not see me at all last week. I asked for her name and made sure she knew mine.
The little girl said, “I am going to run up to you in P.E. and see if you remember my name!”
This adorable conversation went on for about a half hour or so while I was eating. At first she was standing by me then eventually she sat down in the booth across from me.
In her innocence I doubt she knew that she made my night. So sweet of her to sit and chat with me, so thankful for her mom to trust me, and so grateful for not only a full stomach but a full heart as well that Friday night.
Children are the future of our existence. If we can mold their innocence into a more positive life and way of thinking, we can certainly look for a better tomorrow. We need to be positive ourselves in order to share that positive image for our children. We need to live a positive lifestyle in order for our children to lead a positive life. They don’t learn positivism from books, movies, or lesson plans; they learn from the connection from your heart and soul to theirs. Positivism is as innocent as a child, why not nurture our inner child in order for our children to have the opportunity to live a more positive life!
I literally could start a whole new blog just on my interactions with the students at my school. My experience with working on the cruise ship was amazing but my journey working with elementary school students is a far more amazing experience at heart. Love ourselves, love to children, and love the future!
Meme Monday (Let Go)
To get past your problems within all you have to do is learn to let go, learn to move on. Make more time for the things that matter most.
Be sure to follow me here and like my Facebook for more things positive!
UP With Marc 