Stronger than Yesterday

I work with some very creative colleagues who recently had a trunk show selling the things they make just in time for the holidays. One of the teachers makes the cutest cups, ornaments, and shirts using simple lettering and designs. As I walked up to her table, I saw it right away: a tank top sitting there with the words Stronger than Yesterday. It was one of those moments when I saw possibilities for that phrase in all parts of my life. 

Of course, the first thought was exercise, since it was a tank. I instantly thought I could take a lot of pressure off of myself when it comes to working out consistently if I could remember the narrative just be stronger than yesterday. To be honest it might not exactly be yesterday, but I can still be stronger than I was the last time I worked out. That is okay. That is enough. 

Another thought was mental health, as this has been a crazy last few years. How good it feels to just say to myself, Look how far you have come and how much you have learned. For better or for worse, things don’t last forever. I think about that phrase and remind myself that everything that has happened makes me more mentally prepared today than I was before.

Finally, I thought about how this phrase could help all of us as educators in this profession that has us on a roller coaster ride like no other. Every experience we have with students, every lesson we teach, every conversation we have with others leads us to be stronger than yesterday. It is so nice to have this mindset now—that everything I do every single day is helping me be better and do better. It is also amazing to remind the kids that every day they show up, they are going to be stronger for it. A little more knowledge about the world, a little more grit to fight through frustration, a little more empathy as they learn and grow with others.

One phrase can change a mindset. What is yours?