Brrr...it's cold!!! 1/6/2010

I don't think that I could possibly every get used to the cold! Funny, because I would love to be a New Yorker, but I simply do not have the hardiness to handle the weather. I started thinking that these sometimes unbearable elements really make you appreciate what you have!! On my drive home in my warm car, I pass multitudes of homeless people carrying their life's treasures in a bag as they head towards the shelter in hopes that there is room. It's easy to have on a sweater and a warm coat, and judge them for their "addictions" that have put them in their position. In actuality, the two trends that are largely responsible for homelessness in America, are the shortage of affordable housing, and poverty. There was a 32% jump in home foreclosures between April 2008 and April 2009. Wow!!! Right?? Did you know that since the start of the recession, there have been 6 million, I repeat 6 million jobs that have been lost? Of course, there are many factors in the rising epidemic of homelessness. For example, lack of affordable health care, domestic violence, and mental illness. Yes, addiction to drugs and alcohol is a cause, but in the big scheme of things, think of how many people are addicted to drugs and alcohol who are not homeless. However, if you are poor and you have an addiction, your likelihood of experiencing homelessness is higher. Stop for a minute, and think of the children out there. At least 1.35 million children are homeless during the year, and 200,000 on any given day Do we choose to whom we are born to? Do we get a say? As I write in the comfort of my home, I think of what I am grateful for. I try to think of ways to help, I think of those people out there shivering in the cold, and I think of how ridiculous it is for me to say that my dog has a Snuggie! Now that I have your attention, remember that any little thing you do helps! If you help ONE person, you have made a difference! Giving a blanket is a temporary fix, but I am sure it would be appreciated!

~There is hunger for ordinary bread, and there is hunger for love, for kindness, for thoughtfulness, and this is the great poverty that makes people suffer so much.

Mother Teresa

Be safe in the upcoming days!

Much Love,

D

**facts gathered from the National Coalition for the Homeless website.

Mistakes 1/5/2010

Have you ever wondered if erasers were never invented, would we make less mistakes? Yep, that was my random thought in the wee morning hours! My brain on fire, neurons moving frantically! A red neon sign flashing a warning, "Evacuate immediately, all thoughts must escape before a level three warning is issued! Emergency, overload is inevitable!" Well, that's what I imagined going on inside my brain. I even tried a technique learned in yesterday's session, you know the one. Yeah, that one where you hold your tongue between your index finger and thumb to stop the chatter. Well, I found it impossible to sleep like that much less think. Oh,and don't even try coughing! It's like trying to say banana while you're sneezing. I tend to get this way though, when I am excited about something, or having creative ideas about photography. Seriously, I sometimes even name my next series or image before I even take the picture. I think it, and try to turn that thought into something visual. I love this feeling, when the creative juices are flowing, in this time I am a better person and a better teacher! I am INSPIRED, there I said it! Inspired Inspired Inspired!!!! You should try it sometime! Be careful though the feeling is addictive, and if your a novice, I suggest only small doses of inspiration at first. Just to see that your body, and of course the people around you can handle it! Alright, moving back to the original question about erasers and mistakes and my Jack Handyish deep thought. I think that if erasers had not be invented then yes, we most likely would make less mistakes. We would be more cautious, knowing that it was our one and only shot! Ahhhhh, but here's the thing when we are allowed to make mistakes we innately and inevitably learn from them. So why is it that we view mistakes as a bad thing, we train our children to believe that wrong isn't right and right isn't wrong. We create a fear that inhibits the growth of what we proudly call WISDOM! Next time you think you've made a mistake, know that it probably isn't, but you won't know it until your supposed to!

There are no mistakes, no coincidences. All events are blessings given to us to learn from. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Much Love,
D

Notice**** I am putting a disclaimer out...I might have to take a different stance on my thinking.... mistakes are ok if you make them ...I was just thinking about ..doctor mistakes, pilot mistakes, hair dresser mistakes! Oh Lord, this one's going to keep me up tonight! Thought that one might give you a giggle!

Change 1/4/2010

After pressing the snooze button several times, I rubbed my sleepy eyes and reassured my dogs that this one was "for real." My feet felt as if I were walking barefoot across a sheet of ice as I stepped on the cold, creaky, wooden floor. I imagined in my mind that I accidentally set my alarm and that it was really a Sunday morning, and I would soon be returning to the comfort of my dreams and a warm bed. Out loud I say the mantra, "I love my job, I am lucky to be working!" My mantra quickly changes to "why,why,why?" and "It can't possibly be over!" I resign to the fact that I must get in the shower and going to work is inevitable, so I grab my breakfast of champions...Diet Coke, and pouting like a five year old, head to the bathroom. There was no getting out of it, as my car is already trained on the route and is proceeding forward as planned. I decide to go in with a positive attitude and greet as many co-workers as I can with a smile, and possibly a hug. I ask how their holidays were, and received many "I can't believe it went so fast," and "boy it's cold out there!" Doing this put me in a good mood and it brought me comfort to see everyone back safe and sound. I expected a morning of educational "hoopla" and "buzzwords" to get everyone back into action armed with the latest instructional techniques to grab the attention of those students whose sugar plums dancing in their heads has changed to thoughts of summer vacation. How could I blame them, my thoughts were headed in the same direction. I make way to the auditorium, and tell myself that I will begin this new year right, and give effort to pay attention. I silenced my cell phone and gently put it in my closest pocket just in case my efforts failed. I thought to myself, this will be a challenge of sorts, after all the speaker's topic was Engaging the Unengaged. Well, he had me at hello!!!! I enjoyed today immensely and learned lessons that not only pertain to teaching, but to life in general. I was hooked, as this reconfirmed my beliefs on finding happiness and having quality relationships with the people around you! This image is a strong message that I held onto today, as it rings true that
YOU must be the catalyst for change. If you want happy, be happy! If you want to be loved, you must first love! If you don't know how to be happy...fake it! It will come to you eventually!

Much Love,

D

Tattoos *1/3/2010*

I have always thought that tattoos were beautiful. They are most incredible to me when they are a representation of the body upon which they boldly and proudly lie. The rising Phoenix in this image is more than ink, more than art, but a sign of resurrection.
The Phoenix - The Story It is said that as early as 500 B.C., people believed in the phoenix, a legendary bird that would live for 500 years. Near the end of its life, the phoenix would build a funeral pyre for itself. As it began to die, it would lay down on the wood; the wood would burst into flames consuming the phoenix after the bird died. The phoenix would emerge anew from the ashes of the funeral pyre stronger and more beautiful than before living on for another 500 years.
Much Love,
D