Hi everyone, Happy Monday!
I hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving week, however that looked for you and yours.
Mine was spectacular. I caught up on my rest, chatted with friends over the phone, and was able to spend some Covid tested, masked up, socially distanced, outdoor time with my family. My sister and brother-in -law had rented a condo in Estes Park, CO so I was able to join them for a 4 mile walk around Lake Estes and a horseback ride. Mountain air always lifts my spirits.
Sunday, as I began preparing for a week of teaching online, I began to notice that I was automatically feeling less relaxed. Noooo! I want to keep feeling relaxed and at peace. Now, to be clear, I love teaching. Like any career, it has it’s good days and bad days, but it is who I am at heart and I wouldn’t have it any other way. However, like many people, I want to be perfect, so over the years I have trained my subconscious to find every possible way to worry about the upcoming week. The past few years I have been working to undo my old mental habits and thoughts and replace them with new ones.
The new hack I learned a couple months ago has been doing wonders for me. It is quite simple. I replace “ I have to “ with “ I get to “. For example, instead of saying “ I have to work on lesson plans tonight.” I will tell myself things like “ I get to teach 3rd graders a new rhythm tomorrow.” or “I get to see my students again.” I also am sure to say these things in an upbeat voice.
Before I knew it I was smiling through not only my lesson prep but through doing laundry, straightening the kitchen, and yes, even cleaning the litter box.
As November winds down and December begins, it is my goal to wave goodbye to 2020 with a smile on my face. Not a fake smile, or an unrealistic expectation that everyday has a holiday feeling. Rather, a smile knowing that I continue to evolve and get stronger, both physically and mentally, and there is joy in everyday tasks and experiences.
As always, I would love to hear from you!
Thanks for stopping by the blog.Until next time,
Laura
The Next 50 Years 
I woke up having a bad day! I knew nothing would be like I always expected and that the people in my life who would help me set the world right we not here to help me. Your words are always a comfort to me even when I really dont know why!
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Lucile, I am so sorry that you had a bad day. I am glad that my blog lifts your spirits. That is always my intention. I hope the rest of the week goes better for you.
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