Teachable Moments

Thanks to Liz at Eternal Lizdom for posting her topic for Weds Weekly Writings.

This week: Teachable Moments

When I first thought about this topic, my mind went immediately to parenting. Once we become parents, I think it is our automatic responsibility to have teachable moments with our kids when necessary.

However, my next thought traveled to the workplace. Hmm...I thought, now that would be something interesting to write about.

I have worked at my current company for 10 years in various roles in the same basic department (IT). The various roles have taken me from software marketing and development, technical writing, quality assurance, support, documentation and to the business analysis career that I am pursuing today. With each experience I have encountered people and many teachable moments.

First, a teachable moment is something to me that is not necessarily something where I am the teacher. It is something where one, some or all parties involved learn something valuable about life and living in this world.

Second, I have been the initiator and recipient of many teachable moments over the years. Initially, I was the recipient (like a child, new in my career, to the workplace). Sometimes I didn't realize until much later that the moment was a teaching moment and that possibly it was a repeat (several times over in some cases :)) of a teachable moment from the past. It is fun to realize that you have had someone take the time to teach something to you that is valuable about life and in those moments of realization I do try my best to thank God for placing that person or experience before me so that I can learn from it.

As I have grown more experienced in the workplace, I have had the opportunity to become the initiator of the teachable moment and that is wonderful to be able to share my experiences with others to help them learn from them. It is also very interesting to note that in most cases the teachable moment actually becomes a learning opportunity for me as well as the other person(s) involved.

**note, I know I am posting on Thursday, but as I was finishing the post, a teachable moment came up with my son and I had to take advantage...

Happy Teaching!

A

Who are your soulmates?

Thanks to Liz at Eternal Lizdom for providing though provoking questions in her weekly Wednesday writings...

This week...Who are your soulmates?

When I think of soulmates I think of people who no matter time or space between interactions, there is that connection that says, I know and trust this person and he/she knows and trusts me. There are no gray areas in our friendship and no matter what, this person and I will love and trust each other.

A tall order? Maybe. Impossible? Not when God is involved. The most important element to a soulmate relationship is that God is involved in putting the two people together.

Who are MY soulmates?

I have friends and family who I consider soulmates.

First, my mom. She and I have not only a biological connection, but also a connection based on love. We are honest and open with each other and not afraid to call the other one out if either of us tries to move into the gray area. We sometimes also connect our thoughts before we even get the opportunity to discuss anything. One of us will call the other and a lot of times, will be greeted with "I was just thinking about you." Call it ESP, I call it a soulmate quality.

Second, my husband. I "stalked" him for months before we became an exclusive couple because I knew deep down that we were meant to be together. That "he was the one". I am not an ultra romantic, but I knew with him, there was something special. And, I wasn't wrong, we will celebrate our 10 year anniversary next year and he and I have grown together in so many different ways than can be described by that initial feeling I had when we first met.

Third, my friend Amanda. She and I have only known each other for a few years and met through church, but I am convinced that she is a friend brought to me by God. We have so many things in common. She and I can be honest with each other and know that it is not an attack on the person, but the action/thought. We have had the "I was just thinking about you" moments and we continue to grow our friendship. I could not imagine not having her as a part of my life.

Do all soulmates have the same qualities? No. I don't have ESP or the quick ability to have a "do over" with each and every relationship, but it is those things that make those relationships special and unique.

Are there other friendships and relationships that I have that have elements of a "soulmate" relationship, sure, but these three have hit the trifecta of being honest, trustworthy friends brought together by the love of Jesus Christ.

Thanks Liz for making me think and "post".

Enjoy your day!
A.

Update on Me

I have successfully been on Weight Watchers for 3 weeks and have lost 5 lbs. I am feeling better and have more energy. I am also working out 5-6 days a week on my treadmill for 30-40 minutes. Last week the flu overtook our household, but I am back and ready to take on a healthier life.

Also looking forward to posting tomorrow on

Who are your soulmates? - A weekly writing assignment from my friend Liz at Eternal Lizdom.


Later. A.

Just Living Healthy

No more slim fast, weight watchers, whatever the "diet"...I am just working on living healthy. One day at a time.

SlimFast

Started slimfast diet today.
Shake for Breakfast (powder and milk 8oz) with Coffee
Banana for Snack with Water (16oz)
Shake for Lunch with 1cup Carrots and Water
Planning SlimFast Bar for Snack
Sensible Dinner - don't know what that is going to be yet.

I feel pretty good at almost 2pm. Not too hungry. It is nice to be drinking water again.

Hope to begin seeing some difference on the scales. I have been working out and am seeing difference in toning in arms and legs and a little slimming in waist, but no pounds reduced yet. Maybe the diet will kick start it :)

Later,
A

To Facebook or Not Facebook

I am choosing to Facebook. I am not choosing to be active on the thousands of applications they have, but I am choosing to check in there frequently to see what my friends are up to. It seems that once you are friends on facebook that even if you are friends in real life, you don't get the scoop unless you keep up with facebook. I am tired of hearing conversations of friends who "connect" on facebook and not being in the loop so that is why I am "jumping in". I have been using the status posts to post a blble verse or prayer thought for the day as a way to witness my faith to my Facebook Friends.

Facebook On...
A

Random

Kids got to talk to their dad last night. Smiles all around.
Neighbor came over with her kid who is the same age as my oldest. Fun times.
Kids were in bed by 10pm. Yay!
Still tired this morning and really missing the workouts that I have gotten used to, but with my husband not here, it is hard to keep the schedule I did before.
Looking forward to my bible study class tonight. A fun group of ladies and a light-hearted conversation is just what I need for that mid-week pick me up.

Started Eat.Pray.Love. last night. Like how it is separated out in chapters/books with certain reasoning behind it and that reasoning was explained in the introduction. Looking forward to reading more tonight. Didn't get too far as I was exhausted!

Rainy here today, but we need it. Our yard was getting crunchy :)

Later,
A