Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you…and I hope you have a wonderful weekend. I don’t know about you, but for me July always becomes a blur after the Independence Day holiday, and next thing you know, school is starting. I have always heard that time goes faster the older you get. Now that I’m older, I can see that is DEFINITELY true. While this world is crazy, be sure to be intentional with your work, your friends, and above all, yourself. Don’t get caught up in the “have-tos” of your daily life. Spend time outside, go shopping with your bestie, enjoy (in moderation, of course) your favorite foods. Real-life responsibilities can choke the fun out of life, if we live life too seriously.
Quote of the week: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.” –Eleanor Roosevelt
Movie of the week: I have always liked baseball. I remember my dad getting a little cranky because I asked too many questions. Let’s face it, baseball is much simpler to understand than football. You have 25 players on a team, most of them pitchers. Only nine are in the field at a time, and it’s easy to understand what they do. I’d like to recommend the movie The Sandlot from 1993. It keeps to the theme of summertime fun, prompting the realization that time can get away from you and reinforcing the importance of being in the moment with your friends. And, of course, who can forget the movie’s most iconic line, “You’re killin’ me, Smalls!” So, for the baseball lovers out there, PLAY BALL!
Joke of the week: What animal is always at a baseball game? A bat.
Nugget of Wisdom for the week: I wanted to take the opportunity to talk about the importance of the company you keep. You have heard the saying, “It takes just one bad apple to ruin the bunch.” The same can be said of a poor influence in your life. We all have the desire to be important and looked up to by others. By the same token, we should surround ourselves with people who challenge us to be our best selves. I have a dear friend who does just that. She pushes me to get outside my comfort zone, tells me the hard truths I need to hear, and is a good listener. Now, more than ever, we need to be uplifting others and encouraging them to be the best versions of themselves. The world needs YOU!
Have a great week. Remember, you are most awesome and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a former foster-turned-adoptive parent. She lives in Knoxville, Tenn., with her husband and five children. She has written and published two children’s books as well as two foster-care-themed novels. She has a Facebook blog, Tips from the FLIP Side, and enjoys working with children of all ages.