Quotes to Live By

If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.
(John Quincy Adams)

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit. (Aristotle)

Every artist was first an amateur. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the wrong mental attitude. (Thomas Jefferson)

It takes ten years to build up a reputation, but only five minutes to ruin one. (Anonymous)

Friday, July 17, 2015

Learning Leadership with the Navy

 Anyone can make good decisions when everything is in their favor. But in life, as in war, it’s in chaotic, challenging times that genuine leaders distinguish themselves. As a Navy SEAL Chief Petty Officer, Rob Roy learned this lesson over twenty-five years of combat, in which the difference between life and death was his team’s ability to decode complex environments, take decisive action, and seize opportunities when they presented themselves.

In The Navy SEAL Art of War, Roy decodes the leadership lessons of the battlefield for today’s business leaders and individuals: how to make good decisions under pressure, how to utilize and leverage the strengths of others while minimizing the weaknesses of the individual or team, and how to act instead of react, anticipating events despite having minimal information and effectively communicating tasks and priorities.

Illustrated with countless stories from the front lines, and featuring unprecedented exercises and drills from the SEALs’ training program, The Navy SEAL Art of War is destined to take its place aside It’s Your Ship as a bestselling business classic.

To be perfectly honest, I used this book to structure how I run my 3rd grade classroom. I feel that the skills taught in this book, not only applied to businesses, managers (and those who aspire to the managerial ranks), and entrepreneurs, but also to teachers.

Because teachers teach all other professions, I want to be the one who helps my students reach their maximum potential. To be the leader who teaches these skills earlier on, it sets the success and achievement standards very high in the beginning of the school year and in turn, students' self-esteem reaches higher levels of achievement.

12 Ways to Start a Marriage Right

This book was so practical to me as a single person. It might be because I'm the kind of person who needs to see the whole picture before I jump into anything or it might be because I'm not a spontaneous risk-taker.

As I read from the introduction, I felt as though I was sitting in pre-marital counseling. I felt like taking notes and underlining. The author makes the book very engaging and he has a sense of humor. I love that the tone was light, but at the same time, it gave wisdom and insight to what a relationship should be like.

I especially liked the questions that I should ask my future spouse and the questions to think about before being married to them for life. I also loved the activity suggestions that couples should do together so there could be an open communication with both parties about little things like solving problems and cooking responsibilities.

 Many times I see my friends jump into a relationship too soon without thinking things through. In the 21st century, society puts love first and problems second. When problems actually arise, they think "oh, I think I married the wrong person. Let me try again." In that way, the rate of divorces rise and people get very cynical about love.

Ready to Wed discusses 12 Traits of a thriving marriage and offers a variety of topics to guide and advise those preparing to say, “I do!”

Learn to:
Define a vision statement unique to your marriage.
Positively engage conflict to build a foundation of trust and forgiveness.
“Leave and cleave,” even if you are a child of divorce.
Manage expectations—and your in-laws!
Navigate hot-button issues including, sex and the chore wars.
Cope with change, stress, and crisis—especially in your first year.
Build a community of support and find mentors.
Assess your progress using the Couple Checkup.
Loaded with advice, tips, and instructions, this valuable resource is ideal for soon-to-be-newlyweds and those who support them!

I Can Read Bible Stories: Queen Esther

I was amazed at the sentence structure of the book. I didn't realize that there would be a variation in the sentences that would keep the reader from repeating the same words over and over again.

I would recommend this book to readers who want to be more independent. There were a few words that could be harder for a child, but this is a good practice book for children who want to be challenged. Maybe the parent can read it the first time and have their child read it the second time with help.

I feel this book can be used to measure progress and can be read as many times as it takes a child to read it independently on his/her own.

As an educator and a future parent, I would buy the whole "I Can Read" series for my children to practice phonics. They will be educated in vocabulary and will have a better understanding of the Bible and also fully engaged with the characters.

This I Can Read! series of Bible stories makes use of the unique features found in the NIV Adventure Bible such as “People in Bible Times” and “Words to Treasure”.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

101 Tips for Girls

Every girl has her own insecurities. It's all a part of growing up. "What do people think of me?" "Should I wear this or that?" "Does this blouse make me look fat?" These questions are very normal for girls going through Middle & High School.

The editors of Faithgirlz! and Girls' Life have collected their best advice to help girls take charge and feel confident in a variety of situations, from changing a bike tire to talking to a teacher about a bad grade to handling bullies. Growing up can be tough, but this guide makes it easier, providing fun insight and advice that parents appreciate and girls love. With problem-solving strategies, tips, and humor, this is a book every girl needs.

I appreciate this book very much because both my cousins are going through this phrase in life. They need to know what is appropriate and not appropriate during these years. I read through the book and highlighted some tips that my cousins need to keep in mind as they are experiencing teenager drama.

I know my cousin will love this book because 101 Things Every Girl Should Know touches on topics important to girls today including quizzes, Q &A's, journal prompts, articles and more.