 Photo by w.r_t2 at Pexels.com "You can't pour from an empty cup." Last week I had myself "a day" at work. It was certainly not my best day, nor a very productive one. With Halloween at the end of the week, you can just imagine that getting 17 students to settle in and get their work done was next to impossible. There was a silly energy in the air, and their attention was on anything else than the lessons I had prepared. At the end of the day I found myself extremely exhausted and frazzled thinking "What is even happening today?" I was a bit beside myself and needed something to help me in my time of need, but what I needed was the dilemma. Thinking through some options, it finally hit me! I remembered something that was sure to save the day. It had been there all along. It had been sitting in my teaching bag literally for two months: my emergency chocolate bar. You see, on the first day of school I was given my favourite chocolate bar, a Twix bar, by my amazing vice principal to welcome me back. Trying to make healthy choices, I had decided to save it for another time, or a day such as this. Frantically I searched for that bad boy in my huge tote bag, amongst the notebooks, papers, pens and stickers. Like a dog digging up a long lost bone, I was determined to find it. I was on a mission. My eyes lit up realizing my day was about to get so much better when I finally spotted that sweet sensation. There it was! My Twix bar. Sure it was flat as a pancake, a bit worse for wear, and had clearly seen better days, but at this point none of that mattered to me. I had not had chocolate in so long. It was not on my eating plan, but today I made an exception. I needed it. I had no regrets. That little chocolate bar lifted my spirits in a big way. Enjoying the Twix bar, as simple as it may seem helped me see that I had the power to put something positive in my day. It was a choice and a reminder that often small joys have a big impact on developing a more optimistic perspective. Self care is not selfish Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana Enjoying the Twix bar without guilt represents for me an act of self care. I need to take care of myself to keep my spirits up and keep on going day after day. There is too many people counting on me to not make myself a priority. If I am not at my best, it will affect a lot of people so I must strive to do what I need to do to get in the right headspace and fill my own tank. Exercise, quiet time, naps, coffee in copious amounts, prayer and Bible reading, a night out, a great chat with a friend, or watching a favourite funny movie or TV show are activities I enjoy to take care of little old Me, Myself and I. I have even starting giving myself a high-five each morning inspired by Mel Robbins’ High 5 Habit because I need to be my own cheerleader more. I am an amazing person, loved by God put on this earth with a calling and distinct purpose and I am kind of a big deal.  Photo by Sora Shimazaki at Pexels.com Fill er up!All of the above statements are so true for you as well. You are such an incredible and special person. The world is honestly a better place simply because YOU exist. What fills your cup? Do more of that, please — and the more often, the better. Fill that cup to overflowing. The world needs you — and respectfully, not the stressed-out, maxed-out version of you. Instead, this world needs the best version of you, and you simply cannot offer that if you are depleted and empty. Call to action
Until next time friends, Take care of yourself and I really mean that! Dana Copyright: littlelessonslearnedbydana, © 2025 A final thought and update: I told my students about my emergency chocolate bar episode and they found it quite funny and in case you are wondering even with Halloween looming my week did indeed get much, much better. Authors note: ~ The High 5 Habit: Take Control of Your Life By One Simple Habit by Mel Robbins is the inspiration behind my new high-five habit.
Tags: self care, fill your tank, the high 5 habit, mel robbins, take care of yourself, teacher self-care, emotional burnout, how to recharge as a teacher, self-care for educators, mental health for teachers, small joys in teaching, faith and wellness, the High 5 Habit, Mel Robbins inspiration
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 Photo by HT Photography "Be someone's sunshine when their skies are gray." Sunshine in the classroomWe had ourselves "a grand time" in Room 21 this past week. In honour of the anniversary of my mom's passing, at the end of the month I threw a sunshine themed party for my students. For many years before she passed away my mom, Mrs. Lear, came faithfully every Friday to my classroom. Bursting through the door each week she was bombarded with hugs and squeals of delight from the students in gleeful anticipation of what she may have brought with her this time. There were always fun songs, cool games, exciting stories, themed parties, treats and more mentorship and priceless life lessons than the kids ever realized. She loved on those kids hard and brought joy beyond measure to the classroom and their little hearts. My mom was literally sunshine in human form. Pair that with the fact that her home was adorned with more "You are my Sunshine" items than you thought possible, and a sunshine party in her honour was certainly most fitting. At this party, the students were challenged to "be the sunshine" just like she was and the theme was what Mom would say on repeat "You never go wrong by being kind." The students were delighted and enjoyed cupcakes, and made cards for their special people in their lives. I highly recommend this type of celebration as it brought so much fun to an otherwise average Friday and it really helped me on my grief journey to keep Mom's memory alive and share her with another bunch of sweet students.  Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana  Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana Be the SunshineMy mom was one incredible woman and I strive to emulate her, and be the sunshine to this world of ours, just like she was. It is a challenge that I extend to everyone. We often think it takes a big effort or grandiose gesture to make an impact. That is often not the case, as many times it is the smallest things or acts of kindness that are the most cherished. In the past at times when I would contemplate reaching out to different people who were going through hard times, I would oddly become hesitant. Perhaps it was because I didn't know them that well, or was concerned that they would be private about their concerns. My mom taught me to be different, put fear aside and instead ask myself "Why am I hesitating?" Then again she would chime in with a sparkle in her eyes saying "If I've said it once, I've said it a thousand times... You never go wrong by being kind." No truer words were ever spoken. Little Things Go a Long Way Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash Perhaps you would like to spread more sunshine in your corner of the world, but you don't know where to start. My first piece of advice is to look at the people closest to you. Share appreciation statements with them. Tell them what you love and appreciate about them. It needs to be vocalized. Often we can assume that those closest to us know how we feel, but they need to hear it as well. It might be obvious things or other things that no one has every acknowledged before. An example could be the fact that they have excellent organization skills, or they are a very generous person. Call out the greatness that you see in them. Trust me. You will make their day. Another suggestion I LOVE to do is the drive thru challenge. I have done this several times and it is so rewarding! How it works is you pay for your order and the one behind you in any local drive thru. It is so surprising to get to the window and realize that the order is already paid for. I have been the recipient of this very kind gesture as well. It has been such a blessing as it has often come on a day that I really needed encouragement. As simple as it may sound, a free coffee can reap very large dividends on a deep and meaningful level.  Start TodayTomorrow is never promised my friend. Don't hesitate like I used to do. Our gestures of kindness do not have to be perfect. It is the heart that people see and the love behind them that really lingers. You have so much to offer and the world needs your light. Call to Action:
Until next time my friends, I am sending so much love and sunshine your way. You light up a room just be being YOU! Love ya! Dana XO Copyright: © 2025 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
 Photo By: Kaboompics.com "When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." ~ Franklin D. Roosevelt Lessons On The Track Track and Field season is in full swing at my school, and we had our competition this week at a beautiful track at the local high school. Despite the rain, the students persevered and did their best to complete all the events to the best of their ability. As I teach third grade, this was their first opportunity to participate in track and field, and the excitement was at an all-time high. I tried my best to offer every tip I could think of and even shared stories from my glory days in elementary school as a very competitive runner. It's hard to believe, but I was an exceptionally fast runner in my day, racking up a pile of first-place red ribbons and always landing a spot on the coveted relay team. One thing I feel I could have prepared them better for, though, is how far and long the 400m race actually is. Especially on the professional track, getting to the finish line seemed next to impossible for many.  Image by pvproductions on Freepik During this race, my colleague and I were terrified to see a student collapse on the track. We ran over as fast as possible to assist and assess the situation. There he was, laying on the track, spread eagle. We were understandably very concerned. Quickly, I realized it was one of my students and asked him what happened and if he was alright. Much to my relief, he smiled and said, "I am just fine. It's just 400m is way too much for me!" Then he said the cutest thing next: "Maybe I will try 500m sometime though!" I was thankful he was okay and couldn't help but smile at his cute comment. I helped him up, got him a much-needed drink, and told him how proud I was that he was willing to attempt something so challenging.  Image by azerbaijan_stockers on Freepik Relating to My Student You know, I can so relate to my student. So many times in life, when the going gets tough, I have wanted to drop out of the race and call it quits. When the finish line is nowhere in sight, or the task is way more than I signed up for, I have wanted for so many reasons to say, like they do on the TV show Shark Tank, "And for those reasons, I'M OUT!" Is this resonating with you as well? If so, I am here for you, my sister or my brother. There are so many things in life that are much harder than we might have ever anticipated. These could include:
The list goes on and on. I don't know your situation. I would never want to minimize what you or anyone is going through, but I do know this: You are a lot stronger than you think.  I know this because chances are this is not your first rodeo with the tough times department, and congratulations—you have lived to tell about it and probably have helped others who are there now as well with what you learned in your time of trial. When hard times come, look at all that you have already come through and know that you are still here. Remind yourself that hard times do not last forever and this too shall pass. Know that you are not alone.
On the contrary, you are in very good company with others who also struggle. In fact, truth be told it is a very large team. In Philippians 4:13, it says: "I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me." When we can't seem to hold on, we need to cling to the ONE who helps us hold on just a little longer. It could be for one more minute, hour, or day, depending on the situation. Also, remember just like the relay team, when we share the load with others, we all win and cross the finish line together. Please don't give up. When you feel like giving up, tie a knot and hold on. Your breakthrough is coming, and the finish line could be much closer than you even realize. Call to Action:
Meet you at the finish line! You got this! Until next time, Dana Please follow me on Facebook at Little Lessons Learned by Dana here. Tags: perserverance, patience, don't give up, one day at a time, problem solvingCopyright: © 2025 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
 Photo by HT Photography: Little Lessons Learned by Dana "You're only as old as you feel." ~ Paul Simon I recently celebrated my 55th birthday. When I say celebrated, I truly mean it because I feel sincerely comfortable in my own skin, and I am in a very good place right now. I feel fabulous! I haven't always felt this way, but since January of this year, I've been committed to improving my health in a holistic manner. The desire was always there, but recent health challenges have truly lit a fire under me. My motivation has hit an all-time high. (Who is this person? I know, right?) Let me explain... Several months ago, I was diagnosed with sleep apnea. I knew something was wrong because night after night, I would wake myself (and others) up with my constant snoring. Every morning, I was left completely exhausted. After my sleep study, I wasn't surprised by the diagnosis, but I was shocked by the severity of my case. A severe case of sleep apnea is described as "30 or more breathing interruptions." I didn't have 30 interruptions, or even 50, but 117 breathing interruptions an hour! I was like: "Wait, what?" The technician said it was one of the most severe cases he had ever seen. Upon receiving this information, three thoughts popped into my head:
Throw in high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and now we're really having some good times.  Photo by Pixabay Part of my new routine has been completely stepping up my diet and exercise program. Protein and whole foods are a priority each day on my menu. I also now go to the gym faithfully and attend a fitness class twice weekly with my son, Tyler, called Building Better Bodies. In this class, we lift weights, do step work, and complete TRX strap exercises. Together with Tyler by my side and a great trainer (Thank you, Scott!), I am doing things I seriously thought I could NEVER do. Not only am I doing it, but I am LOVING it! Mindset is EVERYTHING. If you tell yourself that something is beyond you, it will be. If you tell yourself you will fail, you will. If you tell yourself that change is possible for everyone but you, then it will be. In my case, I always told myself that these classes were way too advanced for me and I was doomed to fail if I even tried. But then one day, I had a NEW thought. I dared to think that maybe, just maybe, if I could muster the courage to actually try an advanced workout class, I might just be successful! This change in thought process made all the difference.  Photo by Photo By: Kaboompics.com Why is it that we are so often our own worst enemy? Why can't we all just be our own best friend? Believing in yourself is truly the first key to success. We often sabotage our progress by having limiting beliefs. These beliefs keep us stuck, impeding us from the rich and healthy life that God intended us to have. Why do I share this information with you? To brag? Absolutely not. I truly hope you do not see it that way. I am not special. I am just a simple person who is taking small steps to change her life for the better. If I can do it, anyone can. My hope is to provide you with encouragement. We only get one go-around in life, and I want my journey to be the best it can be. I encourage you to have the courage to step out in faith in the areas that you need to change. I believe in you and know you are capable of making changes that can transform your life in ways you never imagined. You can do hard things, and I am here to be your cheerleader if you need me. Call to Action
Take care, my friend. I must be going as I have a healthy lunch to pack and a few more steps to get in. Until next time, Dana Philippians 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Please follow me on Facebook at Little Lessons Learned by Dana here. Tags: healthy lifestyle, healthy eating, exercise, goal setting, motivation, growth mindset, small steps, limiting beliefs, believe in yourself, lifestyle changeCopyright: © 2025 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
"You never go wrong by being kind." ~ Marilyn Lear The world is facing immense challenges these days. Every time we turn on the TV, scroll through social media, or open a newspaper, we are confronted with sadness, turmoil, and mistreatment of others, glaring at us like neon signs. It makes me ponder: where did we go wrong? Why do people feel it is acceptable to act in such inappropriate and heartbreaking ways towards each other? Now, more than ever, people need kindness. It is true that when it comes to kindness, a little really goes a long way.  Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana Be a bucket fillerA big part of my job as an elementary teacher is teaching social skills, and focusing on modeling kindness and treating others with respect is always a priority in my classroom. This week, I enjoyed reading to my class, two delightful books about "bucket filling" by Carol McCloud. In these popular, award-winning children's books, it speaks of how everyone carries an invisible bucket. This invisible bucket is just waiting to be filled with acts of kindness and thoughtful gestures that fill not only a bucket but a person's love tanks. The books highlight simple, everyday things you can do to literally make someone's day. It is not rocket science; one small act of kindness can truly make a huge difference. Feeling inspired by these books, a sweet student made me a bucket for my desk and took the initiative to fill it with paper clippings. When I asked what the clippings represented, she quickly replied, "LOVE." This was very special, and not only was my craft bucket full, but my invisible one certainly was as well. Don't be a bucket dipperJust as easily as we can fill someone's bucket, we can empty it by what is called "bucket dipping" in these books. Bucket dipping includes the little or big things we do to bring someone down—hurtful comments, rude actions, a critical spirit, excluding others, gossiping, and ignoring someone's cry for help are all examples of bucket dipping. The world already has enough bucket dippers. We certainly do not need to join that team. Trust me, it is already very overcrowded. As a Christ follower, when interacting with others, I often ask myself, "What would Jesus do if He were me right now?" I don't always get it right, but I strive to emulate Him more and more each day. Jesus is and always will be the ultimate bucket filler. He fills my heart with so much joy. He provides me with everything I need, has washed away my sins, and is as close as the mention of His name. In addition to this, I am honored that the God of the universe cares so deeply about me that He delights in providing me with blessing after blessing, daily filling my bucket to overflowing even when I don't deserve it. Every time I read the book Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, I ask myself, have I? It should be our goal to fill at least one bucket a day, minimum. I know it is mine. So, honoring this commitment, I say to you, my internet family, I have such a grateful heart for you for following my blog and taking the time to read what I have to say. Without you, this blog would just be words on a page that no one read but me. Every time you read, comment, and share my writing, my bucket literally overflows. The fact that you have embraced me and Little Lessons Learned by Dana means more than words can say. So, what I am trying to say is a huge thank you for being a bucket filler for me. You are such a wonderful blessing to me! God bless everyone! Call to Action: Reflect upon the concept of bucket filling this week. Do a personal inventory and ask yourself, have I been filling buckets or dipping into them? If you honestly feel that the dipping activity has been more frequent, you are not alone. It happens to us all from time to time. Make a commitment to be more cognizant of how your words and actions affect others in both positive and negative ways and make bucket filling a priority this week. You won't regret it. As my mom said, "You never go wrong by being kind!" Until next time, Dana Please follow me on Facebook at Little Lessons Learned by Dana here. Tags: bucket filling, bucket dipping, Have You Filled a Bucket Today, encourage one another, cheerleaders, Jesus the ultimate bucket filler, kindess, social emotional learningCopyright: © 2025 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
I teach second and third graders. For years, I've had our class motto posted on my wall. It's three simple sentences, but they carry a lot of power—not just for kids, but for adults too. Confession time... I'm three years away from retirement, and the struggle is real. My mom used to say about kids, "If we could just bottle that energy, we'd be all set!" Lately, I've been really feeling my age, and the gap between the kids' energy levels and mine seems to widen daily. On the hardest days, I honestly question if I still have what it takes to be with 20 kids day after day. Many times, I have to remind myself to take a break, reflect, and not be so hard on myself when difficult days come. After all, struggles and challenges are universal. It's truly just part of being human. Looking at the class motto, I find encouraging words that I try to instill in my students. Let me now share these words with you and the woman I see in the mirror as well. My goal is to let you know that you are not alone and that you will make it through whatever challenge you may be facing right now. I am special! (Yes you are!)In Psalms 139:14, it talks about us being "fearfully and wonderfully made." There is no one who is, was, or ever will be exactly like you or me. It's quite an amazing fact to ponder when you think about the number of people who have lived on this earth. We are originals, created by God with a wonderful and unique plan and purpose. I recall hearing a sermon years ago that shared how God had your purpose first and then created YOU to fulfill it! That was so inspiring because the speaker explained it was NOT the other way around, like "here is this random person, and what are we going to do with this one?" When the dark days come, remember how much you mean to others and to God. There is no one who could ever take your place, and you are allowed to be a masterpiece and a work in progress all at once. I am smart! (Yes, you are!) Many times in life, I feel overwhelmed and inadequate to tackle what comes my way, especially in my career. Staying frozen in this state does no good. Confusion is stressful. I love this quote and I tell myself often: "You are NOT confused, you are figuring it out." By reframing the words, it puts the power back in my hands. I am growing and learning every day about what to do and not to do. It may take time, but I WILL figure this out. The same is true for you. Give yourself credit and time to get this right, whatever it is you may be going through. Often, life throws us real curveballs with no guidebook. We all need time and patience, but we will get there. I will try my best! (That's all anyone can ask!)My mom used to say, "Do your best and let God do the rest." As believers, we have the true advantage of partnering with Christ in all we do. We try our best, but often we fall short, and that's okay. Truth be told, I come to the end of myself often. I wonder if my best is even good enough many days. In those times, I am reminded that in God's word He promises to never leave us or forsake us, and reassures us that when we are weak, He is strong. Jesus and I make a great team, and when I have done my best but there is still work to be done, I know He will do the heavy lifting in my situation. All I have to do is ask. The same God we read about in the Bible is alive and well today and on our side. Pretty incredible, don't you agree? Call to Action: If you found encouragement in these words, take a moment to reflect on your own journey. Remember, you are fearfully and wonderfully made, with a unique purpose only you can fulfill. When challenges arise, take a moment to breathe, reflect, and remind yourself that you are not alone. Share your thoughts, struggles, and victories with someone you trust, and don't hesitate to reach out for support when you need it. Let's continue to uplift and inspire each other. Feel free to leave a comment below sharing how you navigate tough times or what keeps you motivated. Together, we can create a community of strength and resilience. Until next time, Dana Please follow me on Facebook at Little Lessons Learned by Dana here. Tags: growth mindset, you are special, you are smart, problem solving, encouragement, class motto, classroom managementCopyright: © 2025 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
  Photo by Ketut Subiyanto at Pexels "Working for the Lord doesn't pay much on earth, but the retirement plan is out of this world." Author Unknown Full-time jobs and careers come in all shapes and sizes. There are homemakers, doctors, full-time students, government workers, teachers, wait staff, doctors, nurses, pastors, custodians, and construction workers just to name a few. I could literally be here all day naming careers, and if I did not name yours, please know that I see you. I validate you. I respect so much what you do day after day, after day. It truly takes all kinds of people to make this world go around and we all truly need each other. There are so many careers that I know I would not be good at and simply could. not. do. The point I am trying to make is no matter what we do on the daily, often it can leave any and all of us exhausted, overwhelmed and feeling unappreciated at times. Life can be tough and we can question if we are making any difference at all in our corner of the world. If you never felt this way about your job, congratulations. I am so very happy for you. If you are like me though, and the struggle is real, you are my people. Sometimes we just need to know that we matter and our work is valued. I am a teacher. An interesting thing happened in my classroom these past weeks. For whatever reason, there has been an unusual amount of notes, pictures and gifts coming my way from my sweet students. My display cupboard is getting quite full, barely able to display them all. (What is going on here?) To top it off a little guy walked in this week with a mug for me that said "Teacher of the Year." He was beaming. I told him I will certainly do my best to try to live up to that title and how much his thoughtful gift meant to me. It was very encouraging for me, because so many times unbeknownst to him, as an elementary teacher I feel so inadequate. My tasks are many and I can get easily discouraged. This little parade of loving gestures really brought my spirits up, and meant more than my students could fully understand. You see, the teaching profession has become increasingly difficult over the years. This is my 20th year and so much has changed from when I first started. Kids are coming in with more complicated issues and diverse needs. It has left those of us in education feeling like we are not doing enough, or we just can't keep up. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed at the workplace is NOT unique to education. I am sure many of you can relate. If you are feeling like this, here are some things you need to hear. You matter You have been uniquely placed where you are in a circle of people that others do not have. Without you, your workplace would be very different and missing something that only you can bring. Even if your work is routine, or mundane, you have the power to put your own unique flair on it. I heard of a toll booth worker who danced his whole shift away as he took peoples' toll fees. He said it feels like a personal dance party every day and kept him in shape too. He explained, "Some might see this toll booth like a coffin, but not me. It is my personal dance floor!" Wow! With an attitude like that he will surely go far. Sometimes appreciation comes later Sometimes you get validation right away, sometimes it takes time and sometimes unfortunately you never get the appreciation you are seeking. Please know that even if you do not hear words of gratitude, it does not mean that you are not making a difference. Sometimes even years later you will get the thanks you deserve. I recall a student of mine when I just started my career, who would tell me how much she hated me every day. I had replaced her beloved teacher who was on maternity leave and she resented me big time. She would tell me I was a terrible teacher and how much she wanted her original teacher back every day. Ouch! Years later I ran into her and did not even recognize her. To make a long story short, she knew me and quickly apologized for how unkind she had been to me and stated that I had been a good teacher and she had always felt bad about how mean she had been to me. I did not expect her apology, or compliments and what she said really meant something to me even after all those years. You can encourage yourself Photo by Vlada Karpovich at Pexels What I have found when times get tough at work and I feel that I am behind and falling short of what I would like to be is to do this little routine. I give myself a pep talk and remind myself that I am doing the best I can, in less than ideal circumstances. I tell myself that I am here in this job, in this season for a reason. God has placed me here and I don't want to let Him down. I reflect on all the good and positives my job brings and focus on the group of people I am with each day knowing for me they are the ones that I can impact the most. For me it is little and big people otherwise known as students and colleagues. I know that God is my full-time teaching partner so I will be just fine in the end. Any work can be God's work Photo by Gustavo Fring at Pexels You do not have to be a pastor or on the mission field to do the Lord's work. In fact some of the best work we do for the Lord is in the little unseen tasks and gestures we do at our jobs that go unnoticed. Any job can be a ministry and we can do this work for the Lord to make this world a better place. Moms of littles especially, you are doing some of the most important work out there. Please know that! Be encouraged and know that when our jobs get hard we can find comfort in knowing that God has us there for some reason and with His strength we can make our corner of the world a little brighter as we do our jobs for Him. Until next time, Dana Colossians 3: 22- 23 (NIV) Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Little Lesson Learned: Any job is meaningful and can impact others when we dedicate it to God.  Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana Tags: careers, appreciation, discouragement, jobs, working for the LordCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
 Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana "Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything." ~ C.S. Lewis I have been really missing Mom BIG TIME as the days quickly approach to the second anniversary of her passing. To think it has already been almost two years that this beautiful soul left us here on earth is hard to comprehend sometimes. Although she is not physically with me, she is truly with me every day. I feel her in so many ways throughout my days. It is so encouraging and comforting. I am my mother's daughter in so many ways and I am extremely proud of that. Her pictures are prominently displayed in my home and classroom and I love to share the timeless life lessons she taught me whenever I can. Mom had so much wisdom and she took every chance she could to impart the powerful lessons she had learned along the way to anyone who would listen. I am so happy to share some of my favourites with you. "Don't lose the victory." Photo by Andrea Piacquadio at Pexels Mom would always say when tough times come, don't let those circumstances rob your joy, or pull you under. With Jesus at our side we are always on the winning team. Mom was no stranger to adversity. She struggled with clinical depression several times in her life. At times, she definitely was pulled under by this dark disease, and keeping the victory seemed impossible for her. We never stopped praying for her and MANY times she had beautiful times of recovery and redemption. For her last bout of depression, we were not so fortunate. She did not receive her victory of a healing on earth, but we know Mom is living her best, victorious life in Heaven and we do find great comfort in that. "Keep a rainbow in your heart." Photo by Ben Mack at Pexels As we would navigate our hardest days, Mom would encourage us to keep joy tucked in our hearts, despite the personal storms we might be experiencing. This would keep us moving ahead and pointed in the right direction every time. What I always loved about this expression, is that it emphasized that despite what was happening around us that we could not control, we could control what was happening in us which was our reaction to circumstances. This is where the power lies. Many times I experienced joy in chaos and the peace that passes understanding that the Bible speaks of when I chose to keep that optimistic rainbow shining brightly in my heart. "There's better days ahead." Mom would remind us that tough times don't last, but tough people do. I want to remind you of that as well. It is important to reflect on the past when the hard times come. You have come through so much already and you will come through this too. This too shall pass, even when at the time it feels that this struggle, challenge or stage will NEVER end. Be assured this is not how your story ends. It is just a bump in the road. Hang in there my friend. "Be a Can-do woman." Mom would encourage us to get I can't out of our vocabulary. I strongly advise you to do the same. Let's start to change our response and dialogue together to the challenges in life. Repeat after me: I can do this! I can overcome this! I will come through this better and stronger! I can and will use this trial to be a blessing to others in time when I am ready.  Photo by Little Lessons Learned by Dana This picture above was the last picture taken of Mom and I together before she passed away. She was still struggling with depression, yet trying to implement and exemplify the life lessons she had imparted to us. I am who I am because of her. I am forever grateful for all that she taught me and will NEVER forget how incredibly special she was. She had so much great advice to share and I trust that these few examples have resonated with you and you can tuck them in your heart today! Until next time, Dana
Tags: grief, losing a mother, life lessons, things mom taught me, legacy, remember loved onesCopyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi)
 "This is a wonderful day. I've never seen this one before." ~ Maya Angelou Good days, bad days and everything in between. We all have them, but I sincerely hope your bad days are in short supply in your corner of the world. For quite some time my family was riddled in deep grief and sorrow after a lengthy period of profound loss of several family members, including my precious mom. Since that time I have personally declared this year THE YEAR OF JOY for that reason. I am bound and determined to find joy anywhere and everywhere, even if some days it is harder to spot. Most of our days generally speaking seem quite ordinary, yet even those run of the mill days are full of many gifts if you open your eyes to see them. Let's highlight a few of my personal favs. The gift of waking up On one of our local radio stations the DJ would always say "If there is air in your lungs today, praise the Lord as He is the one who put it there." This little phrase has always resonated with me. Every day we wake up to face a new day, as mundane or routine as it may seem, is a true privilege that some do not get. My mom unexpectedly died in her sleep. We were totally shocked and heartbroken. No one even considered that that particular Thursday would be her last, and that she would go to bed and never wake up. For this reason I am MORE thankful for EVERY day God gives me to love and honour Him the best I can. For a while I had been caught in the rut of "counting the days" instead of "making the days count." It is my goal now to strive to find meaning in each and every day to the best of my ability. I woke up to face another day. I am blessed. The gift of God's word Photo by John-Mark Smith at Pexels Starting each day with a devotional and reading God's word sets a wonderful tone for my day and gives me something positive to take with me as I head out the door. Since I was a child, my mom would help us memorize scripture and tell us to "tuck God's word in our hearts." I continue this routine and find God's word so meaningful and comforting on all my types of days. If reading scripture is new for you, there are many different translations and types of Christian bibles and you can find what suits you. Some examples are: the King James version, which is more like old English writing, using words like thee, thou and thus. Then there is a version called The Message Bible which puts scripture in everyday words that you and I use today. It is a matter of personal preference. The important thing is to READ the Bible, and a good place to start is Psalms and Proverbs if you are new at this. Having God's word at my fingertips helps me to know I am blessed. The gift of hot coffee Where are my coffee loving friends at? You are my people! That first cup of coffee, especially in the morning, really hits home. It is very special to wake up in the quiet of the morning before all the activity picks up and savor a hot coffee and some peaceful moments. I am drawn to all my favourite mugs. Lots of them have cool stories behind them, like the Charlie Brown one I just got from one of my students. This is my current favourite hands down. Sip, savor and smile. I can wake up and have a warm cup of coffee in my hand in minutes. I am blessed. The gift of so much clothes and food Photo by Liza Summer at Pexels Every day I get to CHOOSE what I will wear. I am sure many of you are like me and have many options of what to wear. Recently I packed up 3 bags of clothes for the thrift store and it did not even make a dent in my closet. My fashion options are many. I am blessed. My fridge and cupboard are also full and I realize this is often not the case for many. So much food for my family, and I do not have to worry about where our next meal is coming from. I am blessed. The gift of my own car Photo by Mike Bird at Pexels For many years we had only one car. I felt stranded all the time and often had to walk or bike places. Then we got a second car and well with two young adults sharing it with me, let's just say I was the one often asking friends for rides. Recently however, my daughter purchased her first car and something AMAZING happened for me... FREEDOM! With my own car now I feel very liberated. I can come and go as I please without making an elaborate car sharing schedule. Having a car to myself is a daily gift I am enjoying immensely. I am blessed. The gift of my career Photo: Little Lessons Learned by Dana My teaching job is a BIG answered prayer. For many years I tried to get a teaching contract but it was difficult as full-time jobs were scarce and in Ontario, Canada you must supply teach, day to day for quite a while before getting a permanent job. When I FINALLY got a contract, my superintendent told me to "shout it from the the mountaintops," and my principal at the time literally danced with me up and down the hallway. IT WAS A BIG DEAL! I have a great job. I am blessed. Well my friends, I hope my little walk down the path of the ordinary day, gave you something to think about. I know it sure did for me. I am working on being more grateful in all areas of my life. Being thankful for ALL my days, even the ones that are less noteworthy, is a great place to start! Until next time, Dana Ephesians 5:20 ~ Always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Little Lesson Learned: Always remember the things we often take for granted every day is what some only dream of.
Copyright: © 2024 littlelessonslearnedbydana (Dana Romualdi) Tags: blessings, gratitude, ordinary days, thankfulness, perspective Photo by Yuri Manei on Pexels The goal is to wake up each morning feeling overwhelmingly thankful for the kind of life you have created for yourself. ~ Unknown I heard a story recently about a gentleman who saved his money to buy a ticket going to a new country. It was to be a very exciting journey for him. As money was an issue though, he only brought crackers and cheese with him to consume for all his meals. Day after day, he passed by the beautiful dining room enthralled by all the people enjoying their wonderful meals. He was drawn in by the delicious scents of delectable dishes he smelled. Sadly, as he could not partake, it was very difficult for him feeling very left out day after day. When the boat docked, an employee of the dining room inquired why he had not come any days to eat the food? The server mentioned they had a place with his name on it each day, and everyone was wondering if there had been something about the food that was not to his liking. The gentleman quickly explained with a bit of embarrasssment that he had not purchased a ticket that included food. The server stated to the gentleman's GREAT surprise: "Sir, the ticket you bought included everything. All food was included." Wow! That story really resonated with me. I thought of how we all can be like that poor man with the crackers and cheese some days. There is so much available to us in life, yet we feel somehow unworthy, or we do not pursue action steps to work towards our best lives. We choose to settle, when we were meant to soar. You my friend are worthy of more in all aspects of life and here are some tips to get you there.  Photo by Helena Lopes on Pexels Know your worthYou are absolutely INCREDIBLE! Do you even know how amazing you are? In this whole wide world of ours, there is NO ONE exactly like you! You are an original masterpiece created by God for a specific purpose. Noone has your exact circle of influence, or unique skill set and the world needs you. Shine your light my friend, the world is blessed to have you in it.  Photo by Marcus Aurelius on Pexels Realize you are NEVER too old to changeWhen you look at how your life is going, and you notice areas needing improvement, know that you are never too old to change. There is no room for thinking like, "I am who am I, or that is just the way things will always be for me." I will have to call you out on that, because you are worthy of more. I am in my fifties and have had several health issues come my way recently. Thankfully they are manageable but these new diagnoses have lit a fire under me. As a result I am going to the gym faithfully, eating healthier, taking good supplements and medication and I am determined to turn my physical health around. I met with a trainer as well to get a strength training program going this summer. It was exciting, but I was also nervous. He was so encouraging and commended me for taking charge of my health. It felt very empowering. He also pointed out a vibrant and incredibly fit 92 year old who was working out right beside me. What an inspiration she was! I thought, If she can do it, I sure can!  Photo by Belle Co on Pexels Always strive to be your best selfWhat brings you joy? What inspires you? What fills your cup? Go after those things. Go after them with gusto. Schedule them into your daytimer with enthusiasm and look at them as appointments for YOU that cannot be missed. You cannot pour from an empty cup and when you are feeling full, inspired and built up in your spirit, your corner of the world benefits so much.  Understand that a wonderful life is God's plan for youIn John 10:10 it says: I have come that they may have life and have it to the full! God wants to be your friend and have a relationship with you. He has BIG plans for you and He desires for you to have a full and happy life. He literally has a buffet of blessings waiting for you. It is true. No table scraps on the menu for you my friends. If you are interested in having a relationship with God or would like to continue the conversation, please feel free to reach out. I would love to chat further with you. Well friends, I hope this gave you something to think about. Don't settle for a mediocre life. There is so much more for you than crackers and cheese in all aspects of your life and I so want you to realize that. Until next time, Dana John 10:10 ~ I have come that they may have life and have it to the full! Little Lesson Learned: Changing our lives takes courage and time, but you can do it. You deserve the best life ever!
Tags: made for more, goal setting, live your best life, God's will |
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