What Matters? All throughout the first semester, we are going to explore the issue of what matters- what matters to you, in literature, and how does it relate to the world around us. This is one of your first assignments where you are going to create a visual of what matters to you.
What Matters to Anne Smith...
Family matters to me. Growing up and Now...
Growing up...I have always felt blessed to have grown up with my family of 3 brothers (Matt, Keith and Adam) as well as a great dad and mom. Being the only girl, nothing less was expected of me than what my brothers could accomplish. My brothers pushed me (figuratively and literally) and I really am grateful to have had three such distinctive brothers watching over me.
My husband matters to me. Jeff is an amazing example of what it means to be a man, husband, and father. He sets a tremendous example for our children to follow. He is my encourager and supporter giving me the freedom and space to grow into the best person I can be. I love him so much and am so thankful that I get to spend my life with him.
My Dad matters to me. My dad told me growing up a few pieces of advice: one, girls don't swear; two, girl don't smoke; and three; don't be a wussy. Somehow this advice has always stuck with me and made me into the person I am today.
My Mom matters to me. My mom's piece of advice to me whenever I would walk out the door was, " Anne, remember who you are." This has stuck with me because no matter who I was going out with whether it be friends or on a date, it reminded me that the choices I make reflect my values and beliefs.
Now... Jeff, Jackson, Emma and Will. Having a family of five, there is never a dull moment. What matters to me is teaching my kids to be the best human beings they can be....listening to others, giving to others, realizing you can never give or get enough hugs, and most importantly, realizing that competition is the essence of life! (Just kidding) Whether they want to be an artist, athlete, or rock star ( I vote rock star), I just want them to lead happy and fulfilling lives. As I said before, I have always felt so blessed growing up, that I want them to experience many of the same things I did. As for Jeff, what matters to me about him is that I feel like I can do more than I have ever done and am supported in all that I want to do.
Jerry, Nancy, Jenn, Greg and Kailey matter to me because the openly accepted Emma and I into their lives and we have been better for it! Thanks for all the hugs and laughter. My sisters in laws matter to me because they bring out the best in me- Jessica keeps me smiling and laughing always feeling loved, and Libby keeps me humble and mindful of thanking God for all I have.
Friends matter to me. This may surprise some of you, but I have never been the best with friends. However, after moving to Colorado, I feel like I know why. I have been accepted, encouraged, supported, and loved by so many people here. I can't thank enough Jeff, Kristin, Lauren, Maura, Cara, Jessie, Andrea, and all my other AHS buddies! You guys really are the best! (That sounds cheesy but I can't think of another way to say it.)
Education matters to me. I have always liked school. I have had amazing teachers and coaches who helped me realize school is more than just studying and regurgitating information back to them. I wanted to do the same for other kids. I wanted to be a teacher that could show students all they could become. I didn't want them to think learning ends when you are done with your class, or high school or college, but that we should want to be life long learners (continual learners). I want this to matter to my students! With education comes reading; I think it is so important that you read everyday. It is one of my favorite things to do to relax.
Working out matters to me. I think taking care of your body physically helps all areas of your life. You are more mentally prepared to handle the challenges each day brings. As I said before, competition is a important part of life to me. I think there isn't anything wrong with working hard towards a goal and achieving it. I have competed in athletics for most of my life from figure skating, golf, swimming, track, cross country, soccer, and my favorite, volleyball. All of the activities not only matter just because of the competition, but because I had great coaches, and friends I met.
Faith matters to me. Although I don't have a picture up of a cross, or God or any other symbol of my faith, believing in God has always been an important part of my life. My parents raised me to be a child of God, and I have continued on that path. He has done amazing things in my life and provided for me so often. He truly is great.
I believe that Ms.Smith has many things that matter to her and has a clear view of what matters to her and how much she loves everything. Her faith, friends, family, life, and teaching.
ReplyDeleteWhat I think of your post is that you are a very strong woman, especialy with growing up with almost nothing but guys. I know that you value a lot of things in life and am glad your the person you are!!:) stay great!!
ReplyDeleteEveryone has many things that matter to them. But for a lot of people, it takes a while to realize what they are. As for Mrs. Smith, she has many inspirers and things to follow. Which has evolved her to be the person who she is.
ReplyDeleteFamily is a very special part of life. It is good to know what matters in your life so that you can get your priorities straight. In the future if one is ever put to the test, it will be a necessity to know what you love most and if it is worth mor than other things. I too am a hard core Christian. God is all i have known my whole life and I feel that everything Mrs. Smith wrote in her final paragraph applies to me two. I think it is good for Mrs. Smith to know what matters in her personal life.
ReplyDeleteI think that smith has spent a lot of time and tought into her post. I think that she highlighted all of her loves like her family in her post.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s good that Ms. Smith knows what matters to her. There are a lot of people that go through life not knowing what matters to them. But it sounds like Ms. Smith has thought about it and organized everything that is important and that really, truly matters to her. I think that she’s really lucky to have so many people that care about her.
ReplyDeleteThis was very revealing of your personal life and shows how surround by love and good nature you are which is a good environment to grow up in. It is also very important to stay in shape and have faith which helps you live a healthy life.
ReplyDeleteI think smith has a wonderful life with friends and family. I also think that there are a lot of things that mater to her which makes her a good freind and family member.
ReplyDeleteI believe that Smith has lots that matter to her. That makes her a very great teacher/person
ReplyDeleteMrs. Smith obviously knows what she wants in her life and knows who is important in her life. Fanily is the number one priority for her as it should be. She loves her husband,kids,parents,in-laws and all of her friends and teacher buddies. Mrs. Smith seems like she has her life in order and lives a very happy and loving life.
ReplyDeleteI think that everything that matters to mrs. smith is important in life and should be part of most peoples life
ReplyDeleteI feel that Smith knows exactly what matters to her and has spent some time and effort writing it all down. I also feel like we are fairly similar in the things that matter to us.
ReplyDeleteMrs.Smith has many important things to her life one of her things is her family thats a huge thing she cares for her family.
ReplyDeleteSmith has a lot of things that matter to her life and in her life, such as family, friends, education, and working out. She had a good enviornment growing up and was happy. Her family pushed her to be the best that she could be. She lived a very happy and loving and all her friends and family helped her get there.
ReplyDeleteI think smith has a great life and has many things that are important to her and matter to her. She has a great family, parents, job, and faith.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great example of when Mrs. Smith just sat down and viewed her life so far. Mrs. Smith has many things near and dear to her heart and I can relate to many of them.
ReplyDeleteSmith sounds like she really is a person who cares about friends, family, education, faith and working out. It does not sound like she is just saying this for another reason but what and why she cares. Smith also sounds like a fun, intertaining, caring and a strait up amazing person. I honestly think this class will be one of my favorite classes of the year.
ReplyDeleteI could not agree with you more. I especially think family is important. My sisters and I are very close and we do fight quite often, I can definitly relate to Smith's family. All in all evertyhing on her list is important in adleast one way.
ReplyDeleteI think Smith did a great job with describing all that matters, and christianity is very important to me. I think we should have less homework so I have more time for church :D. Family is also a great thing to value I think it really shows how strong Smith is, not only putting up with all boy siblings, but also "Not being a wimp" and loving them no matter what. I also thought it was great that she is putting the time and effort into being sure we know her. Overall, a lot matters from this list
ReplyDeleteI agree with the student above, I’m glad that Mrs. Smith values friends, family, education, faith, and good health because these are things that not everyone is blessed with having. Friends are there to make her a better person, and to keep her laughing. She values her family because she enjoys teaching her children to be better human beings, and there's never a dull moment at home. She also values learning and teaching, because she knows how influential a teacher can be towards the future of a student. Mrs. Smith values her faith above all, however, because God has changed her life in so many positive ways. It’s good to know that all of these things matter to her, and that she doesn’t take them for granted.
ReplyDeleteI think Smith really loves her mom, dad, and her education ect.
ReplyDeleteThe things that matter most in my life are family, friends, school, music, and my religion.
ReplyDeleteNot only are these all important, but I don't know what I'd do without them. Everyday these things get me out of bed and ready for what's up ahead. All of these things help me live my life.
My family is by far the most important thing in my life. I have three sisters, two of them are older then me. Most of the time we get along but every once in awhile a fight erupts. But we usually work it out quick before our parents find out. My parents are also important to me. My dad is a sales manager, while my mom teaces fourth grade. They help me out a lot and usuallly understand where I'm coming from. All in all my family is a huge part of my life.
My friends are very important in my life. They help me relax when I'm having a rough time, and they make me laugh. When I'm with them we have fun no matter what. We could be in trouble, working, studying, or in school and still have fun. My friends really know how to cheer me up and have a good time. I am very glad my friends are involved in my life.
Education is a big part of my life. I go everyday, trying to learn more and more. I really want to be a police officer when I'm older. To do that I have to complete school. I unfortunatly am not the brightest student but I try my best. I sometimes don't understand everything given to me and I forget things but I try to get everthing done, and do it correctly.
Music and religion are also important to me. Music helps relax me, and get my mind off things, and also helps me get things done faster. When ever I do homework I tend to complete it faster and error free with music playing, and when I go on runs or bike rides I can go much further with my music playing. Religion also helps me relax and think about things from every view possible. When I'm at church, or chapel I tend to think about mylife and decisions. These to things help me go about my day.
To me all of these things help me live my life and teach me how to grow. There's not a day that goes by that I don't need adleast one. All of these things are important to me. Hopefully they will always be important.