Thumbs Up Guy

The first time I saw “Thumbs Up Guy” I was running outside of my parents’ neighborhood.  I can’t remember what season it was or what the weather was like.  I do know that I was on about a 3 or 4 mile run and not feeling so hot about myself.  I am an insecure runner.  I don’t “look” like a runner.  I try to use the reactions of people who don’t know me when I tell them that I am a long distance runner to fuel me, but sometimes they just weigh me down.  I am not slow, but I am not fast either.  Give me a distance and I will complete it.  Just don’t tell me how fast it has to get done.  I run at my own pace.

Back to “Thumbs Up Guy” - He is an older gentleman.  Dark rimmed glasses.  Wears a sweatband on his head.  And you can tell looking at him that he has probably been a runner all his life.  Or at least he has kept some kind of workout routine throughout his life. 

When I am out running, I try to look up and smile or say hello when I pass someone.  I don’t remember, but I probably just looked up and smiled as I passed this older gentleman.  He smiled and gave me a thumbs up.  That thumbs up said a thousand words.  From it I heard –

You got this!

Keep going!

I am proud of you!

He didn’t say a word, but as soon as I saw that thumbs up I was motivated!  I felt like some stranger was supporting me and believing in me regardless of how slow I was going or what my fitness level was. 

To make that special “meeting” even better, I saw the same guy at the gym months later.  I was getting off the elliptical and as I was walking back to wipe down my machine, thumbs up guy is a few machines down, looking at me, smiling, and giving me a *guess guess guess* THUMBS UP!  I don’t know if he recognized me or was just giving his usual support.  I bet he gives a lot of people thumbs up and that is awesome!  I can’t imagine how many people he has encouraged with his nonverbal gesture.

In summation, give someone a THUMBS up today.  Maybe your THUMBS UP is a smile, compliment, a hello, etc.  Whatever it is - give it!  You could be supporting, encouraging, and motivating someone without even realizing it.

Buzz Ya Later,

Whit

The Buzz About Whit

I always wanted to create a blog.  In fact, I have before.  I started one when I was in Europe student teaching for a month in Belgium.  I spent a week traveling through many different countries and I posted some pics along with travel comments.  It didn't last long.  As a student, I was writing so many papers and had so many assignments that at that time a blog just felt like more homework. 

As a first grade teacher, I get to write daily, but it is less about paragraphs and more about short sentences.  I want an outlet for my thought and reflections.  The question was "What kind of blog should I have?"  Originally, I was going to do a running blog.  I had lots of blog ideas and I was ready to start!  Then I starting thinking...maybe I wanted to do a teaching blog?  It would have been directed more towards motivation than instruction ideas most likely.  But what about my thoughts on life, love, God, etc.  I wanted to include those too!  I have many thoughts about many things.  For that reason, I guess you would call this a lifestyle blog minus the great fashion advice (I have none!) or maybe it is more of an inspiration blog or maybe just a journal.  I'm not quite sure yet what it is going to be, but I hope you will join me on the journey!

As with every post, please do not judge me on grammatical errors or spelling mistakes.  I try to take pride in posting error proof work, but there is little about my life that is not imperfect in some way.  Please do not let missing or overused commas along with passive voice (whatever that is) and misspelled words take away from your "enjoyment" (whatever that means for you) of my blog. :)

*Just now realized there is spell check for my posts! Yes!  Can I get a grammar check too?  Please and thank you!*

Oh yes and that cute info that people (usually teachers) have in adorable fonts and colors along the side of their pages with a super cute pic of them...I have NO IDEA how to make that happen, so I will just post that info about me here - 

I am a twenty something (getting super close to 30) wife, mother (two feline fur babies), teacher, runner, writer (nothing published), introvert who loves music (everything but heavy metal), reality TV, and coffee (milk only - Starbucks occasionally is like a party in my mouth) who is still trying to figure out life (I really thought I would have it down by now).

My ultimate goal of this blog is to inspire (even just one! as was Ugly Betty's goal).  I want someone to read a post or more and think "ME TOO!".  You are not alone in your fears, worries, or weird thoughts.  You are not alone in your odd behaviors, unique personality, or crazy reactions to the world around you.  As my husband would say "I wish I had a Whitney manual".  Checking Amazon for one right now!  

As I am still learning every day "Don't take life too seriously!" and I still swear that God created me for comic relief. :)

Buzz Ya Later,
Whit