I recently read Tyler Merritt’s book I Take My Coffee Black. First off, he is an amazing writer. As I was reading the book, I felt like I was sitting in a coffee shop and having a real conversation with him. In each chapter, he tells you different life stories and how they shaped his life.
Here were a few of my favorite parts:
Page 110: “The world is painful. The world is full of people who will betray you and stab you in the back, and if you leave yourself unprotected, if you let your guard down, you’ll get cut. Yeah, God is good, but people are thieves and vandals. So put the walls up.”
Preach, Tyler Merritt! When people think of Molly Lamar, I hope kindness is one word that comes to mind. Kindness is free, but ironically, not many people use it. It is quite sad. What thrill do you get from being mean? To me, kindness is always thinking about others. As someone who wears their heart on their sleeve, I always think about how my actions or words will affect someone. If someone is going to be left out, it’s a no for me. When others don’t do the same, it is quite disheartening. Why is it worth hurting someone’s heart?
Tyler, can you say it louder for those sitting in the back? BE KIND.
Page 145: “I can’t help but think that the way forward in our nation was something I learned at the Academy:
Proximity (which breeds empathy) + Honesty (vulnerable dialogue) + Value (seeing each other as having inherent worth) + A Common God (seeing that we’re all in this together) = BETTER SOCIETY GUMBO.”
I especially love his idea that when you work side by side with someone, you not only show that you value them as a human, but you learn SO much about them. We live in a society where everyone wants to be better than someone else. We don’t build each other up, but we tear each other down. Before making judgment, it’s important to step into someone else’s shoes and see things from a different perspective.
Page 207: “For Coach Waite, like all excellent coaches, football was not just about football. It was a chance to learn about life…This was bigger than Xs and Os- it was about helping young men mature.”
Every day, I have the chance to learn about life as a teacher. Teaching is more than the scores on unit assessments, diagnostics, growth checks, and standardized tests. Teaching is about loving humans. Teaching is about molding future generations. In my classroom, I teach empathy, responsibility, collaboration, independence, kindness, and how to be a good listener.
Page 222: “I cannot tell you what a gift it is to be able to share the depths of brokenness with someone, and have the person say, ‘Don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere.'”
I strive to be that kind of friend. One who is open and one who is always supportive no matter the circumstance.
I also strive to be that kind of teacher. One who doesn’t judge. One who is always ready to listen. One who will always be present no matter how many to do list items are swirling in my head. I tell my students that once I’m their teacher, I am their teacher for life. My door is always open and my arms are always open for a hug.
Page 284: “because you and I took the time to connect, now you know me.”
I am never too busy to learn someone’s story. I love to learn everything about someone. I want to know the color of your couch. I want to know your middle name. Like Tyler Merritt, I want to know how you take your coffee… or maybe you are like me, and you don’t drink coffee! I want to know all the details about your life because YOU MATTER!
Now, go on Amazon and buy the book! You will be a better human because of it.
Thanks for coming to my TED talk! But seriously, how cool would it be to do a TED talk? I will have to research that. If you know me well, you know I’m a dreamer…and I will work HARD until those dreams become a reality.
Have a beautiful week! & remember to bless others with your kindness.
Peace & Love,
Molly
Molly Lamar 