What If?

 Throughout my days, I hear a lot of questions being asked. My students love to ask questions in my classroom. Some love to ask them more than others 💜! Sometimes I know the answers to the questions and sometimes I don't know the answers. When I don't know the answers, I either go search and look it up or I ask someone who does know. Now, I have heard many different types of questions that my students like to ask. Some are easy answers while others are more involved. There's one particular type of question they LOVE to ask that starts with two words. Can you guess it?! Hint: Adults like to start their questions off with these two words also 😊. Are you ready?! It's the famous "What if?" We like to think or ask aloud, "What if this happened or didn't happen?". "What if people knew this or didn't know this?" In thinking back to my classroom for a minute, I heard a lot of "what if" questions in my Reading class as we were reading novels. Confession time: I like to ask my students "What if?" questions and did especially in regards to characters and events in the books we read. We have talked about what if the characters had made a different decision or had never met a certain person. We discuss what if the story had a different ending or taken place in a different setting. All of these "what ifs" have to do with a book. However, I also have had "what ifs" in regard to life. As a child, I had a vivid imagination and thought of "what ifs" just like my students do. So, I can relate to them 😊. As an adult, I still ask "what if" questions. In my life, my "what ifs" have been a mix of positive and negative. If I'm being honest depending on what season I have been in at the time, my "what ifs" have been more negative than positive. When my situations have looked dark and gloomy, my "what ifs" have been filled with more negativity. However, I'm learning not to let the current situation dictate my "what if 👏." Even if a situation doesn't look promising at first or even look like you won't survive it, it doesn't mean it won't turn around and get better. As I've shared in previous blog posts, I am not a big fan of tests. I always get the "what if" (as you may can relate!) of what if I don't pass it. I try not to let that be my initial thought. Just like we say what if I don't pass it, we could also say what if I do pass it. If we don't pass it, we have to figure out how to do better next time. I have found it to be a learning experience 💛. I can feel my feels, but then create an action plan and steps to get back up and try again. I have also found out that small steps forward are better than no steps at all. At one point though, we all can relate and have wondered if something in our lives or the world around us would work out. I also want to point out that tests don't always have to be pass or fail. They can also be tough times, loss of a loved one or job, or health issue. Today, I want to challenge us to change our "what ifs" when they're negative. It's a habit we have to develop daily because it's not easy all the time. I know that for sure! It starts with our thoughts because they lead to what we say or don't say. Each day does bring something different, but we can still have positive "what ifs." Get that imagination and thought going like when you were younger and you dreamed big and  life's possibilities looked endless 💗. Here's some "what if" questions we can start thinking about:

1. What if it works out?

2. What if this makes me stronger, better, or wiser?

3. What if this grows me?

4. What if this leads me right where I need to be with who I need to be with?

5. What if this helps towards my healing?

6. What if this brings my family closer together?

7. What if I take the lessons and learn from it?

8. What if there's better than what I've seen so far?

9. What if I'm right at the place I need to be in my life currently?

10. What if this is leading me to God's best?

As a teacher, you know I like review 😉. This will be a list that I will definitely review and go back over often 💗💗. Here's one last "what if" question to leave you with: What if your best days are still ahead of you? I'm about to spoil it for you, but they are! Keep going, my friends! I love you all and see you soon 💗!!