Gratitude

Dear readers,

As I'm sure you've noticed over the last few weeks, I've been stressed out and generally unhappy and until late yesterday I was still firmly on that path. When you look around and see so many negative things happening to you (whether it's reality or perception) or around you it's incredibly easy to give in to those feelings and ride the Negative Nelly express. I have no problem admitting that in recent days I've been a daily passenger on that train but I'm extremely sad to say that I think my attitude may have influenced a few people to hop aboard alongside me.

Yesterday evening I got some news that made me realize that in the grand scheme of things I've got it pretty good and I need to put an end to my self-imposed pity party and look on the brighter side of life. I looked up the definition of gratitude today and read the following, gratitude: the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful. It didn't take much reflection to come to this very simple conclusion; I have SO MUCH for which to be grateful.

My Gratitude List
1. Family and friends who love and support me always and allows me to be myself with no judgement.
2. An amazing boyfriend who makes me laugh every day and just makes my life brighter.
3. A job that gives me the opportunity to work with young people to help them grow into the wonderful people they can become.
     a. Also, a job that lets me be silly and share my passion for what's going on in the world today.
4. Co-workers who I would for sure put in the friends category.
5. Pretty good health.

While it might be a challenge as we draw nearer and nearer to the end of the school year, I'm making a promise to myself to look on the bright side and to seek the silver lining in every situation. Every day we can all find one thing to be grateful and thankful for; the hard part is that we must choose to acknowledge it.

Someone might need to do this to me next Wednesday!!!

If you've found yourself being a bit of a Negative Nelly lately you're welcome to join me in recognizing and celebrating those silver linings, little victories and moments of sunshine by posting them here.

My silver linings for today are: 1) the kids were really well behaved during our Diversity Assembly and 2) our district wide department meetings went well and were over quickly!

So my lovelies, what were your silver linings?