Three Word Message

Last week was TAKS testing at our school.  It is a boring two days for me.  I get the privilege of monitoring the hallways, giving teachers a break, taking kids to the nurse, walking the "wiggles" out of "testors" who need a break.

I also get to read (and re-read) the students' work posted on the walls.  They were covered with encouraging messages from classmates, teachers and the students' "reading buddies" from the lower grade levels.

At our TAKS pep rally a few weeks ago, teachers made a video of their "3 Word Messages" to students.  We had heard about these on ABC Good Morning America (http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/Your3Words/us-words/story?id=12119645).  They are a three word sentence, one word printed on each single piece of paper and either held beside each other, or displayed one at a time in order.

Some of the messages from the teachers were:  "Do Your Best," "Ignite Your Light," "Believe in Yourself," "Believe, Achieve, Succeed."

But I really liked some of the student's messages:

"Do Not Worry"
"Use Your Strategies"
"Follow Your Heart"
"Show Your Work"
"Take Your Time"
"Rock the TAKS"
"Eat the TAKS" (with a PacMan and Ghosts drawn... see photo)

Here's a GOOD one:  "Choose Your Attitude."

And my favorite...

"Life Goes On."

Of course, with so much time on my hands, all these encouraging words got me to thinking...  What 3 Word Message could we give to each other?  Or even to ourselves?

Do you need to hear a 3 Word Message today?  Don't wait for someone else to speak encouraging, loving words or even good advice.    You can speak a 3 Word Message to yourself.  In fact, David, the writer of the Psalms did this on many occasion. Here is a 3 Word Message he gave himself:

Psalm 43:5 King James Version:

Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted within me? hope in God: for I shall yet praise him, [who is] the health of my countenance, and my God. (emphasis mine).

I have been feeling a little discouraged lately and realized that I had not been taking time out to "encourage" my own soul.  As teachers, we often pour ourselves out to the point of exhaustion and forget to rejuvenate ourselves.  

So I began to list encouraging 3 Word Messages to myself (or ones I could send to others who were feeling down).  I began to take the advice of some of the students' messages and began to "ignite" my own light and "choose my attitude."

You Are Loved

You are special

Find Your Groove

Work Your Stuff

Be A Star 

You Are Important

Listen Before Speaking

Take A Breath

Be the One

Make a Difference

Be the Change

Speak Kind Words (to yourself and to others!)

Treat Yourself Kindly or Treat Others Kindly

Stop Negative Speaking

Speak Positive Words

I could go on...  But you get the idea.

I began to instantly feel better.  It was like someone had given me a hug - you know, one of those that feel comforting and safe and all the tension just flows out.  Sometimes, I think that we "people pleasers" must feel guilty if we take time for ourselves or build up our own inner child.  But it is so important that our soul is encouraged and supported and refreshed and if no one else is speaking into your life, be your own encouragement.  

What is your 3 Word Message to yourself today?  Don't forget to check out the ABC link and submit Your Three Words to their website, too!