We're Training for a Triathlon!

     So my wife decided that for Mother's Day this year that she wanted to compete in a Sprint Triathlon at a local YMCA affiliate. At first I was extremely skeptical...and not much has changed.

     We have already mocked one up and completed all of the requirements of the Sprint Tri, which is:

•  300 yard swim
• 10 mile bike ride
• 3.1 mile run

     We have done each of these workouts as individual workouts, not combined them. So a few weekends ago, we decided we should combine them and see what happens. My wife and I finished right around an hour and a half, which I felt was pretty good, but it felt like I had the flu shortly thereafter. My legs were tired and achy and a nagging knee pain decided to make a full comeback.

     However, when you put yourself through an hour and a half a mental and physical strain, you have a lot of time to reflect on what is going on within you and the relationship you have with yourself. 

     This relatively quick training exercise made me come into focus more with my own thoughts and the way my brain works with my body. I was more aware this time that I could will my body to do more for me. When my knees were hurting, I was able to push. When my legs were tired, I was able to run. When my breath was labored, I kept swimming. All of these things, while in the moment were a struggle, reminded me later that I have a body that is by no means perfect, but it is capable of some pretty neat stuff. 

     I think that's where I fail more often than not when I'm thinking about myself, and I think we all might be guilty of it. We do not live in appreciation for the things our bodies can do, instead we focus on the things it cannot do. Now, there is something to be said for having goals and not accepting self-made limitations, but exercise, running, and other physical pursuits should also be a celebration of what we can do with our bodies.

     So I think my goal for the next few months will be improving yet celebrating my body and all of the cool stuff it does. My body is kind of like the Swiss Army Knife of my brain...

Not Finding; Creating

     Having such great technology in the palm of my hand in the form of a smartphone has been in many ways both a blessing and curse. In it's most cursed versions, my phone has sucked the life out of me by distracting me from the world around me. I enjoy social media and the occasional game of Mario Kart on my phone; it's relaxing. Relaxation is an important part of finding peace in your life, but I can admit that I have gone beyond relaxation and legitimately wasted time on my phone.

     However, having a smart phone has helped me by being able to get daily doses of positivity in my life. I receive a daily piece of scripture that helps me in my walk with faith and I receive a daily affirmation from a new application that I downloaded this week.

    Today's affirmation was a quote from George Bernard Shaw, "Life isn't about finding yourself.         Life is about creating yourself".

     I found this quote to be fairly thought-provoking because of its implications. So many of us take time off of work or school in order to "find ourselves". We often take on new hobbies in an attempt to "find ourselves". If you accept Shaw's perspective though, we should really be working towards creating ourselves. If a person is actually working on creating versus finding themselves, they take on a role of ownership over their place in the world. I think we "find ourselves" because it implies that we have lost something, which is something we may not have control over. If we create ourselves, then we are the ones who must take action.

     I like the idea that we are creating our lives instead of having to find them. I want to be a product of effort, not chance. I want to make something great instead of stumbling upon mediocrity.

Just a thought,

3 Reasons Why I Think Young Adults Should Work Through High School

     As a former student and a current parent, I have put much thought into whether or not young adults should be working part-time jobs while also attending school. My opinion on this issue is an almost unanimous "yes". I believe that every young adult should work some kind of part time job, even if that just means working through holiday breaks or over the summer.

     I think that working part time teaches young adults several skills and creates several teachable moments so that they are better prepared for engaging in the full time workforce following their post secondary education or completion of their high school career. I have some experience working with both types of students, those who are college bound and those who want to work, and have come to the conclusion that they all need to be taught the same things. Here's a short list:

1. Young adults need to know how paychecks, pay stubs, and taxes work.
   
     A teacher or parent can talk about taxes until they are blue in the face, but until that young adult sees their taxes coming out of their check every two weeks, it just isn't an impactful conversation. I teach a short unit on taxes to my career students, but they don't engage in the conversation unless the federal government has taken their cut out of their first check. For many, it is a shock to see so much of their paycheck go away before it even deposits into their bank account.

2. Young adults should have some purchasing power.
 
     Young adults should feel like they are actively contributing to our economic system. If they work for money and then go spend that money elsewhere, they will begin to feel valued as a member of the larger society. All of the sudden, all of our talk about unemployment, the deficit, and other economic markers becomes more relevant and interesting. The more we can educate young adults on these issues, the better off we will be as a whole.

3. Working a part time job builds empathy for many.

     Many young adults who work part time work in some kind of service industry; namely fast food or retail. They will pretty quickly come to appreciate the people who work in these jobs and those who work around them. You are less likely to be snarky with the young person working behind the cash register at McDonald's if you were once that that young kid working behind the counter. Most people who work service jobs tend to be better tippers and are more patient because they know just how uncomfortable and demanding a service job can be.
   
     If there is anything that our society needs more of, it is empathy for those around us. Working in some of the most underappreciated jobs in our economy will build that empathy pretty quickly.

     These three things combined build a better all around human being in a way that no school curriculum can teach on its own. It's important for young people to have these experiences; it helps build interpersonal skills, it allows them to have money to learn about fiscal responsibility, and it creates a sense of ownership in their own actions and decisions. These are all things that we wanted as young people and all things that we want our students or children to learn before we send them out to the wider world.

     If you work in education, with young adults, or are a parent, I invite you to consider encouraging that young person in your life to obtain some kind of part-time employment; they'll thank you for it later.

3 Ways to Find More Peace in Your Life

     I've been pondering over the past few weeks and months how to find more peace in my life. As the world within and around me continues to become more busy, more chaotic, and more demanding, I have found myself asking how to become more at peace in those rare quiet moments. In short, I have curated a Top 3 List that I have found works for me to find some semblance of personal peace, and essentially, joy.

     Peace Practice #1: Find Quiet

     My first Peace Practice is to Find Quiet, if only for 10-15 minutes. This quiet time can take place just about anywhere. For myself, I have found it on a short run without headphones; listening to my feet fall on the pavement and the ragged rhythm of my breath. It has happened for me in the car on my way to or from work; I switch the radio off and use the time to commune with myself and God.

     I have found that this practice of Finding Quiet is essential to finding peace for myself. As a teacher, husband, and dad, it is often difficult to set aside any time for Quiet at all, so it is something I have had to work in to times that already exist in my daily routines. Sometimes it's as simple as turning off the tv, radio, or podcast and using that time to focus on restoration.

     Peace Practice #2: Provoke Your Mind

     My second Peace Practice runs parallel to my first one. Once I have found some quiet and time to restore my mind, then I can go back to letting some sound back in. I have found, through trial and error, that my mind craves stimulation outside of my daily actions. Believe me, my job and family give my mind plenty of action, but I still need to consume materials that provoke the curious part of my mind.

     Recently, this has become listening to several different podcasts while doing my normal activities. I listen to NPR podcasts on the News and Politics while I cook dinner. I listen to Armchair Expert with Dax Shepard while I go out for my semi-regular runs. If I'm not listening to podcasts, then I am reading something that I enjoy; fiction or non-fiction, depending on where I'm at in my reading list.

     This allows me to consume something that stokes my internal flame while I'm doing something else. It's also why my first Peace Practice is so important. If I can't find quiet, then I can't let my mind stretch and learn at other times.

     Peace Practice #3: Turn off the Screen

     I know it seems hypocritical to write this on my laptop and then preach about the evils of technology, and I am by far one of the worst offenders when it comes to screen addiction, but I have found that it helps to turn it off. If I leave my phone in the other room for an hour, the first 15 minutes is pure anxiety and withdrawal followed by 45 minutes of Peace. It's surprisingly refreshing.

     This is also the Peace Practice that has taken the most intentional practice for me. I have been drawn in by the wonders of technology since I was young. Instant gratification, connection to a world that was previously unreachable, and simply a way to pass the time. As I have gotten older, however, it has become obvious how dangerous superfluous screen time really is.

     Finally, if my screen is away from me, I suddenly have much more time for my first two Peace Practices. It is so much easier to Find Quiet and Provoke My Mind if my phone is in a physically different location.

     I will challenge you to try some of these Peace Practices in your daily routines. Utilize some of your time to pull double duty; we're all busy, so it's critical to multi-task with the Peace Practices. Please reach out and let me know how it goes!

Best,

Being the Dad to Two

     On December 27, 2019, we unexpectedly welcomed our second son into the world. It was a stressful Friday, considering we were just going in for a normal doctor's appointment, but by dinner time, my wife and I had become the parents to two boys. I was more than relieved to know that my wife and son were both healthy and able to go home in a timely manner, despite it being a stressful pregnancy that saw several complications. Following our 2018 miscarriage, this was an amazing relief.

     When we came home that following Sunday morning, we were excited to introduce our toddler to the newest addition to the family. Our oldest did great; he was immediately gentle with his little brother and was even curious enough to look at my wife and ask "what did you do?". Our growing family was coming together so well, that it definitely felt like we were going to be able to handle whatever else came our way.

     There was an unexpected consequence of becoming the parent to two children, though. Much in the same way that a first child can expose the cracks in a marriage, having two children can expose the flaws in your parenting skills. For whatever reason, the curtain was pulled back and I realized that I was playing a game with my parenting style that was proactively avoiding. I was giving everything to my toddler ahead of time so that he was never uncomfortable and was essentially spoiled. This manifested itself as screen time, new toys, and contentious bath times. It was just easier to let him steer the ship.

     I was fortunate enough to get almost 6 weeks off with my family before returning to work, so part of what we worked on as a family was discipline, sharing time, and being more present in the moment with our children. We cut way back on screen time, promoted the more interactive and creative toys, and began playing more and more with our children. There were several tears, from both parties, some yelling, mostly on the part of the toddler but by the time I came back to work, I felt that we had made real progress and that our family was better for it.

     Becoming the parent to two children reminded me that spending good quality time with my family was more important than anything else. I had spent too much time letting my son get his way so that I had more time free to myself. I was selfish and lazy in my parenting style. I wanted to read my book or do something on my phone; but it wasn't until our newborn came home that I realized that it was paramount that I spent real quality time with my son. Time that really matters, time that I know I won't get back, but at lease I spent it the best way I possibly could. Becoming a dad again let me know what is most important; and surprise, it's not myself.

3 Reasons to Consider the Trades as a Career Path

     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWxGaoPIBSM

     Part of my job is to prepare students for the workforce during and following their high school career. It is not to prepare for them for a job but for a career. It includes talking about interview skills, interpersonal skills, personal finance, and character building. Much of what we talk about is centered around the "soft-skills" needed to be successful in any business or workplace. I would be doing them a disservice if I did not make them aware of what opportunities are out there. Several times throughout the year, I have them use the Bureau of Labor Statistics to investigate different jobs. It could be as wild as an astrophysicist or it could be something as labor intensive as a construction worker or sanitation collector.   

     According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics, the two jobs expected to grow the most by 2028 are trade jobs; Solar Panel Installer/Technician and Wind Turbine Service Technician. This is a huge signal for career readiness institutions like high schools and trade schools. It tells curriculum instructors that we need to be encouraging students to consider jobs in the trades. These two jobs expected to grow have a median projected income of $42,000 and $54,000, respectively.

     The wage range is equivalent to several jobs that require a four year degree-like education and other jobs. We owe it to our students and children to help provide them with information and the encouragement needed to make a career in the trades. Not every student is cut out for a trade job just like not every student is intended to go to college. If we can make this a reality for our students we solve several problems at once; students that do not want to attend college still have meaningful employment which in turn keeps the economy growing, keeps government intervention down via assistance, and allows student to have a goal and a discernible skill.

     We need to stop perpetuating the myth that you have to attend a four year university to become successful. Almost every job is under threat of automation, but people who can fix machines- tradesmen- will always be needed in some capacity. People will always have plumbing, electrical, and HVAC issues in their personal homes and businesses. Regardless the level of automation, we will still need people to, at the very least, assist with these installations and repairs.

     The next thing we need to do as a society is to remove the stigma of working in the trades. Yes, the work is hard, dirty, and often underappreciated, but it is important and it does pay the bills. Are you going to become a multi-billionaire wiring in light switches? Probably not. Are you going to be able to provide for a family and have a decent retirement? Most likely.

     I always make the joke to some of my students who are stressing out about college acceptance letters that "The world needs ditch diggers, too", to steal a line from Caddyshack. But it's a joke that carries alot of weight. The world really does need ditch diggers. It needs people who are willing to do the hard but vital work. We need people willing to lay concrete, build magnificent skyscrapers, and fix water main breaks.

     So I challenge those of you who read the blog to consider looking into the trades, encouraging someone to look into the trades, or just thank a tradesperson for doing the work that they do. Many of societies ills can be alleviated through removing the stigma around trade jobs. Like working with your hands? Work the trades. Like working with people? Work the trades. Don't like "academics/school" work the trades. There are plenty of trade jobs out there if people are willing to do the work.

Practicing Body Scanning After a 40 Mile Month

     As previously stated in a more recent post, I have decided to revive the 2019 goal of running 500+ miles in this new year. The goal may be the same, but my approach to running has changed quite dramatically.

     I changed my thoughts about running as I became more in tune with my body and participated in a few different events over the past year.

     First, I'm not getting any younger, and my physical history is only going to make it harder to get better at running. After struggling with weight for several years and periods of general inactivity, I know that it will eventually come back to haunt me. Couple that with some lingering injuries, and really I'm running on borrowed time.

     Second, I know that I don't have the time to devote to running several 40+ mile months. Without the time to fully train, I know that I won't be challenging Kipchoge anytime soon.

     I made a list of a few things that I've thought about when revamping my approach to running.

      1. I have to run my own race, every single day.
     What I mean by this, is that if I'm not going out to challenge another person, and am instead challenging myself to be better than I was before, then there is no point in comparing myself to others. I have run just long enough to know that there's about 99% of the population that can run faster or farther than me. Some of the people I run with on occasion have an "injured pace" that is my normal pace, and the truth of the matter is is that now I'm okay with that. Those people have been running for the better part of 15 years and know more about the science and art of running than I will ever know. If I go out and run my own race, against my own wanting to stop, then maybe I won't be the best runner, but I'll still be a runner.

     2. Running isn't about changing a speed or a distance; it's about changing yourself.
     I was reading Peter Sagal's "The Incomplete Book of Running" and he makes a very solid point. Runners realize that the most important thing they're changing is themselves. Knowing that they have bent their will and tested their mettle against the pavement or trail and has come out the other side better for it. Unless you're in the top 1% of runners who make a career of running, you're really wanting to change something about yourself. For most runners, this is our therapy. Way cheaper, too.

     3. Body scanning, while traditionally used for yoga or meditation, works well for runners,           too.
     With body scanning, a person essentially focuses on how individual parts of the body feels. Depending on your goal, whether it's athletic or meditative, you should be able to pick up on things that feel healthy and parts of you that feel injured or otherwise impaired.

     This is where I have decided to focus much of my energy this month as I have run more this month than in any month prior.

     So, what do I notice when I do a body scan? I notice that sometimes my skin is dry, which is a major pet peeve. I notice that my fingers often feel stiff, what I would imagine arthritis feels like in the beginning, although I wouldn't know what it feels like. My lower back is constantly tight, has been for 10 years now, which makes me feel old to put it in writing. Next, I focus on my knees; these guys have been the biggest pain in my life since I was diagnosed with having out of place knee caps. The left one talks more than the right, and I often have to soak it after a long run. Then I move down to the feet and ankles; they pop, they hurt, and they get tight after almost every run.

     Other than looking like the perfect candidate for a nursing home, reading this makes me realize something. I could stop having a majority of these maladies if I did one simple thing: stop running. If I were to stop  running, I bet my knees wouldn't hurt so bad. I can imagine that my hands and face would not be subjected to cold or heat as much, helping my skin and the stiffness in my joints. If I stopped running, I might actually be able to enjoy a few more things without all the aches and pains.

     However, when I do a body scan, I also scan my own thoughts. My thoughts on running normally circle back to one or two key thoughts. The first, is that I am making myself healthier for my family. I want to be able to keep up with my two boys and not just be a spectator to their youth. As a matter of fact, I need to be able to keep up with them. The second thought is that this is my therapy. At just about any point in my adult life when things got stressful, messy, or painful, I would turn to running as a release. I can't afford therapy and am still stubborn enough to claim not to need it, but who knows. I am able to erase the day or clarify my thoughts on any multitude of things during a 30 minute trip around the block.

     So what's the point in all this? It's that a mind/body scan is one of the most important tools I have in my toolbox, and that it is ultimately tied to my running. If I hadn't started running, I would have most likely never really thought about doing a body scan. Running is my crystal clear pond that I look into to figure out who is looking back. Running has cleared my mind through family stress, work stress, miscarriage, and anger. It has been a place for me to commune with God or let my mind become a blank slate.

     The punchline to all of this is that 4 years ago I hated running and would find any excuse to not do it. What a change a few short years can make.

Best,