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