If you’re new here, you might not know that I’m a high school History Teacher.  Last week was 9/11 and I talked to my class about what happened in our country in 2001 and the significance of those events.  Other than feeling a bit older than my students (they were infants when the tragedy happened….Ugh) the anniversary of 9/11 always reminds me of how grateful I am to be alive and have the privilege to live in a free society.  At the end of the lesson I asked each class to write or draw what freedom or being free means to them.  (This was after an hour and fifteen minute lesson packed with personal stories, pictures from the memorial, and a short video on 9/11).  What surprised me the most was how many of my students said, “I don’t know what to write!”  After some contemplation, my conclusion as to why they said this was that they were born being free and have always been.  They have never had to think about what it would be like NOT to be able to go to school and learn, what it’s like to live in a war torn country, or in the case of those who perished in New York that horrific day; just being able to wake up once more to share in the joys and miseries of life.  

Why is it that when we lose something dear to us is when we think about the blessings that we have in our lives?  We are so busy working towards the “next thing” that we forget about enjoying the journey along the way.  If we aren’t careful we will miss the things that are really important in our lives - like the relationships we build with family and friends, experiences that enrich us, and just being.  After hearing my students struggle with what freedom is to them, got me thinking about what freedom means to me.  That day after school I decided a break was in order.  Angie and I dusted off the kayaks and paddled around Lake St. Clair.  It was awesome and this is one of the things I do to feel free.  There is nothing like being surrounded by water on a 90 degree September day just chilling, looking at the clouds, and breathing in fresh air.  The fact that I have the ability to do the things that make me feel free just makes it even better.  I am for grateful for the country that I live in, my wonderful family, and the gift of freedom.  My question to you is:  What is YOUR definition of freedom?  What does it mean to be or live free? Let us know below.....

Jaime B

Allow me to formally introduce you to our two German Short Hair Pointers Kona on the left and Molly on the right.  It's no secret that I LOVE these dogs.  One look at my personal Facebook page will show you that :)  These guys bring so much joy and happiness into our lives and they are always teaching us something.  I find this completely ironic because aren't the humans supposed to be the teachers?  Fellow dog owners can relate to this I'm sure.  One of my favorite doggie lessons is captured in the video below.  We are driving around with both dogs in the backseat.  You can see Kona with his head out the window, ears blowing in the wind, tongue flopping all over the place and he doesn't have a care in the world.  He's in his happy place.  He's not thinking "Oh, man this is going to mess up my hair" or "Does this make my face look fat?".  Nope.  He could care less what anyone else has to say.  He's living in the moment, having fun and doing his own thing.  

Such a powerful lesson if you stop to think about it.  Why do we so often let what others think hold us back from doing the things that we love?  Deeper yet, why do we believe that what they think will actually hold us back?  More on belief systems later!  For today I'm curious, when is the last time you really let your guard down?  Let go of all your inhibitions and just had fun - real laugh till you cried and your cheeks hurt kind of fun?  Take a minute and tell us about it!

~ Angie

Ahhhh - the annual first day back to school!  Facebook is plastered with early morning pictures of nicely dressed kids smiling brightly, wearing new shoes and sporting their favorite outfits.  Thanks to Pinterest many of these kids are holding homemade creative colored chalk signs announcing things like "First Day of Kindergarten 2013"  or "My Senior Year!" or "Mom Please Stop Crying!".  Parents clinking coffee cups congratulating each other for surviving another summer.  Bank accounts everywhere rejoicing and loosening their belts as they prepare to fatten up a bit as school aged kids won't be needing all day daycare for a while.  For many reasons and from many perspectives, there is an undeniable energy surrounding this day.  

As a kid I remember being ready for school to start in July.  I was bored and couldn't wait to see my friends again.  The night before school started was always torture!  I was forced to go to bed early.....didn't my parents realize that it was still light outside and I was too excited to sleep?  Somehow, miraculously my eyes would close and I would drift off to dreamland.  The next morning I would wake up with the excitement of Christmas Day.  Getting ready and eating breakfast was accomplished in record time.  I felt like a Pepsi can that had been shook up and was ready to explode.  Finally THE day was here!  It took a while, but eventually that fizzy feeling would lose the bubbles and turn into flat pop (soda for those of you down South).  A few weeks into the new school year everything seemed like a routine.  School, dinner, homework, bed.  School, dinner, homework, bed.  Repeat, repeat, repeat.  Don't get me wrong - I loved school - but there was nothing quite like the first day excitement.....except of course the last day of the year before summer vacation!

That got me thinking today.  Why do we believe certain days should automatically hold more happiness than others?  What if we treated every day like the first day of school?  Why not celebrate the 124th day with the same pulsating energy as the first day?  After all, everyday is truly a gift.  Every. Single. Day.  When we get wrapped up in the humdrum routine of life it's easy to take tomorrow for granted and to hold on to the past too tight.  We forget how important each minute is, what a blessing each day is.  The sooner we learn to let it go and to enjoy the moments as they occur the happier our lives will be.  Do yourself a favor and take 10 minutes every morning to quiet your mind, center yourself and think about what you are grateful for.  Set your intentions and decide that today is going to be a day worth celebrating! 

~ Angie