Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. The sun is shining, and the weekend is upon us. Put on your favorite playlist, and enjoy the start of spring!
Quote of the Week: “Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.” –Victor Hugo
Song of the Week: The funny thing about Guitar Hero songs is that sometimes they worm their way into your mind, causing a positive impact. Such is the case with this week’s song from 2001: “The Middle” by Jimmy Eat World. The song speaks about not giving up when things are a bit crazy and reminds you that it won’t be like this forever because you’re only “in the middle of the ride.” I have come to enjoy this song and have placed it on a few of my playlists. It’s a great song to play when walking outside, soaking up that sunshine.
Joke of the Week: For all of the educators out there…Why were the teacher’s eyes crossed? Because he couldn’t control his pupils.
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: We are approaching the end of March. How is that even possible? And with that comes that familiar feeling of school burnout, or even burnout from work or other activities and commitments. It is on this thought that I centered the blog today.
The above quote and song are meant to encourage you to not quit, even though it may seem hopeless. Burnout is a real thing. It leaves you physically and emotionally drained, feeling as if you can never overcome the situations around you. When you feel you are hitting your limit, step back and take a break. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I feel like that guy at the circus who spins plates, just waiting for them to crash to the ground. When I realize that things are out of control, I take inventory of my commitments and see which ones I can pause and return to later or pull out entirely.
It is essential not only to check your commitments, but also to be mindful of your physical health. If you are a night owl, consider going to bed about an hour earlier. If you are like me and live on caffeine, increase your water intake. Of course, a balanced diet is essential to keeping your body fit. Oh, and don’t forget to add your favorite exercise into your day—mapped out, of course, by an energetic playlist.
Recipe of the Week: Bacon and Cheddar Mashed Potatoes
What you’ll need:
1 ½ pounds of potatoes, quartered
½ cup mayonnaise
½ cup milk
6 slices of bacon, cooked crisply then crumbled
¼-½ tsp. garlic salt
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
Boil quartered potatoes until tender, then drain. In a bowl, mash the potatoes, adding in the mayonnaise, milk, bacon, and garlic salt. Mix thoroughly, then stir in the cheese. Serve with the meat of your choice and any bread. YUM! (In case you haven’t figured it out…I LOVE potatoes!)
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to everyone who has had a birthday this week. My birthday was last week, and I had a good day. I hope you know how special you are and that the world needs your kind of you. Happy birthday!
Have a great weekend. Remember, you are most awesome, and YOU ROCK!
Marion Rhines is a 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.
