choose gratitude
Today might seem like a bad day. But it isn’t.
1. I’m getting a cold. However, it shows no signs of being the swine flu. What’s more, I have a warm bed to curl up in later tonight. I’ll be going to work today, but if I feel really sick tomorrow, I can stay home. Having a cold is not so bad when you have these things.
2. I’m very busy right now – the semester is ending, I’m behind on my marking, there don’t seem to be enough hours in the day. I’m busy because a) I have a job and b) in three weeks time, my classes will be over and won’t begin again for six weeks. It would be ridiculous to complain about these things.
3. One of my classes is irritating. One of the students, Ahmad, is particularly unpleasant and difficult. This is causing me some anxiety. However, Ahmad’s unpleasantness highlights two things: a) my other two classes are not difficult; in fact, they’re delightful, and b) Ahmad reminds me of difficult students I’ve had in the past, when I had no idea how to cope with them and their difficulties. I can’t do anything about the fact that Ahmad is a difficult person, but I can manage his behavior much better now than I could have a few years ago. This is, in part, because of the difficult students I’ve met in the past. My dealings with Ahmad may make me better equipped to handle future difficulties. As much as I wanted those past students to disappear, I’m grateful to them now, and I will be grateful to Ahmad one day, too.
So the truth is, today’s a pretty good day.
(I’ve just now realized that Adriana may have planted the seed for this one. More gratitude!)
Thank you! I’m learning this approach (stance? strategy? practice?), and I keep thinking of that Hemingway quote: “There’s no one thing that’s true. It’s all true.”
That’s a GREAT quote, John. I should stick it up somewhere where I can see it often…
Hi Siobhan! Great post today. It inspired my own for this fine rainy Monday morning.
Cheers
Victoria
What a great post, Victoria! Check it out, people: http://classroomcanada.blogspot.com/2009/11/gratitude-and-positive-teacher-how-to.html
choose gratitude,
What a great way to look at life!
Positivity! Sure, the glass could appear half empty, but to someone with an empty glass, it sure looks thirst-quenching. Not to mention what a person with no glaas might feel with the same glance.
Who did you thank for this? Adriana,
Well thank you and her along with you.
Must read more of both of you.
Michale J
Thanks Contoveros! I love “to someone with an empty glass, it sure looks thirst-quenching.” I must think about this when I complain about my job etc.
Excellent, positive words….gratitude is always a good thing! Hope you’ll be feeling better (RE: cold) soon.
I wish I had seen this before I posted today. On the plus side, I have seen it now, and can act accordingly! Thanks!
PS: Liquids and rest and butterscotch pudding. Feel better soon!
The nice thing about choosing gratitude is that it’s contagious.
Thanks for passing it on
It always helps to be reminded to choose and show gratitude. Gratitude not only helps our attitude, but also is contagious to those around us. Thanks!