Sunday, October 23, 2011

KEEP EATING CHOCOLATES!


Pick yourself up, brush yourself off, and start all over again!

I bet you didn’t know that I got turned down for the doctoral program in early childhood education at Georgia State University the first time that I applied.  It wasn’t my grades or test scores.  The advisor I happened to talk to 40 years ago said, “I don’t think you are going to contribute to our field, and that’s what we are looking for.”  (Surprise!  Surprise!)  One door closed, but I went and found another open door at Emory University where I earned a specialist’s degree.  When I went back to Georgia State to pursue my doctorate I chose Curriculum and Instruction rather than early childhood, and it ended up being a perfect fit for me!

Things don’t always turn out the way we want them to the first time.  Maybe you didn’t get that job.  Maybe you didn’t get that grant.  Maybe you didn’t get that scholarship.  Keep on keeping on!  Put it behind you, move on, and try, try, try again!

THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD offers one of life’s best lessons for children.  The little engine’s self talk – “I think I can.  I think I can…”  is something that children can practice.  I love this song to the tune of “If You’re Happy and You Know It.”
         I think I can are words I like to say.
         I think I can are words I like to say.
         If I try with all my might in time I’ll get it right.
         I think I can are words I like to say.

As Forest Gump said, “Life is like a box of chocolates.  You never know what you’re gonna get.”  But you’ve got to keep eating those chocolates!