Queen Jen's Gems

 I love to-do lists! I use them at work and home 😊. As I balance different responsibilities, writing it down helps me to remember and helps me to be intentional. I'm also a visual learner, so seeing it really helps. At the beginning of my day, I can take a look at my list and see what I want to accomplish that day. Sometimes, I get too ambitious and write way TOO many things and other times, I write down a smaller list with 3-5 things. I'm working on writing down less. I've also learned that it's okay if everything doesn't get done on the list. The big question I ask myself now every day is, "Does it need to get done today?" If the answer is yes, then I do it. If it can wait, then it waits. Having plans are good, but I've learned plans can change! I can think of many occasions where I planned something, but it didn't go the way I planned or didn't happen it all. You can probably think of those times too! In deciding what plans to make, I'v...

 Who we surround ourselves with matters. Who we associate and connect with matters. Who we go to for advice and support matters. Take a minute and think about the people in your life who you can talk to about things, big and small. I hope you can think of at least one or more people. I know I can and that's a blessing 😊!! We all should have at least one or more people that we can share anything with, and we can count on them. When you have that, it's a good thing! I have learned more and more about the importance of my circle as a result of my life experiences. Has my circle changed over time? Absolutely yes! That's okay because growth and change constantly happen. Do I have people who have been rocking with me for a long time? Absolutely yes, and that's okay too! Being aware is important 😊. Just like being aware of our surroundings is important, so is being aware of our people and the energy they carry. Recently, I started teaching a new unit to my students where all...

 Walking is one of my favorite ways to exercise 💜! When we walk, we take steps forward. Footsteps can be heard by others and can leave footprints depending on the surface you're walking on. When you follow in someone's footsteps, it means you are imitating or doing something they did previously, like a job. Along with walking, I also love another "W" word: writing 😊!! In my blog writing, I love to encourage. I often encourage myself and my readers. Recently, my blog posts have reached a new level of opportunity to encourage a different audience and I thank God for it all!! It all started when one of my faithful blog readers suggested an idea to me in the summer. She said you should start putting a piece of your blog post in our local newspaper. I had thought about it briefly in the past, but it was only a passing thought. That's why our circle is important! I prayed on it and sat on it for a while. That same day, I reached out to another friend who used to work ...