Happy Friday, RISERS! I hope this week has been good to you. Yesterday was the first day back to work for most Tennessee teachers. It was nice to get a jump on setting up the classroom, which I share with a colleague. As with anything important, such as teaching, writing, or athletics, it always takes a lot of effort to achieve a polished outcome. But it is also essential to enjoy the breaks we have in our work. I’ll share more on that in a moment…
Quotes of the Week: “Nothing can dim the light that shines from within.” –Maya Angelou
“Practice puts brains in your muscles.” –Sam Snead
Recharge Tip of the Week: While it will be great to get back into a school routine, it is vital that you also set aside some downtime. New clubs or other extracurricular activities can sometimes tempt you beyond what you are able to sustain—mentally, emotionally, and maybe even physically. Weigh your options to get the most out of your available time to spend on these activities. If possible, split the year up to allow for different activities in fall or spring (or perhaps a summer or winter combination).
Nugget of Wisdom of the Week: You no doubt realize that the 2024 Olympic Games have been going on in Paris, France. But you may not know that one of the world-class athletes—Simone Biles, the most decorated gymnast in history—shares something in common with many of you. She and her siblings were in foster care until she was 5 years old. Two of her older siblings were adopted by a great-aunt in Ohio, while Simone and her younger sister, Adria, were adopted by their grandparents. In a 2021 podcast interview, Biles said, “If I had a hope for my future, it definitely would be to help foster kids and the foster care system, because that’s something I feel really passionate about.”
I’m sure you’ve heard that during the 2020 Summer Olympics in Toyko, Simone Biles found her brain so overwhelmed by stress that she could not safely compete. To protect her mental and physical health, she decided to step away from the sport and focus on her own wellness. Like any athlete, she received lots of comments and criticism about her decision. Remember that for your own safety and sanity, you too must learn to recognize when to step away from something and give yourself a mental or physical break.
Notice above that I intentionally chose two quotes for this week. The first quote, by Maya Angelou, celebrates that no matter what your life circumstances are now or what you have experienced in the past, nothing can squelch the fire, passion, or drive you have within yourself. The second quote by Sam Snead is a reminder that athletes need to spend hours upon hours shooting hoops, catching balls, or lifting weights for strength and endurance. Researchers say it takes roughly 10,000 hours of deliberate practice to achieve greatness.
Whenever you set your mind to something, you are not one to be trifled with. Just be sure to guard your mind, heart, and body.
Shout-Out of the Week: This week, I want to give a shout-out to everyone working hard to follow their dreams, whether they lead to Olympic gold, to a spot on the bestseller list, or just to the satisfaction of knowing that they are doing something they love.
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.