Put your happy pants on

Life is difficult...all by itself.  I do not need to add to that difficulty with a sour and unfortunate disposition.  Believe me, I have faced many, MANY challenges in my life...some that would prompt others to adopt the life of a hermit in a fallout shelter somewhere deep in the earth.  I just refuse to let things get me down...at least not for long.  Don't get me wrong, I certainly feel sad or angry or lonely from time to time...but I don't dwell in those emotions. When we allow ourselves to become bitter and negative, the world around us will also become bitter and negative.  Negativity is one of the most contagious illnesses that exists in our world today.  Allow me to give you an example from my everyday life.

I get up and the day automatically starts out badly.  I stub my toe on the way to the bathroom...can't find anything to wear...burn myself with the curling iron...spill my coffee...car won't start...you name it.  I get to school and there are kids lined up at my door needing me for one thing or another and they are all talking at once.  I can barely get my things put away...getting ready for 1st hour is not even on the radar.  The first bell rings and I am flustered because the morning has been so crazy.  My class is rowdy and won't cooperate...so I snap at them.  They were in perfectly fine moods...until I came along.  Now, each of them is having (at the very least) a terrible 1st hour.  They take their upset attitudes that I gave them to their 2nd hour class...thus sharing my negative attitude with other faculty...and so on and so on throughout the day.  I get home and I am just as unhappy as I was when I left at 7:00am.  My husband then begins to feel the impact of my stinky attitude.  I could go on and on and on. 

When things started to go all wonky, I had a choice.  I chose to let those little instances influence my entire day.  I chose to take my frustrations out on others instead of choosing to be as positive as possible.  I recently rewatched the movie Pollyanna.  In this movie, the title character takes a negative town and turns it upside down with gladness.  She plays the "Glad Game."  I think we all would benefit from playing the "Glad Game" every now and again.  When something negative happens, think of something to be glad of.  For example, when I stubbed my toe I could have stopped and been glad that I didn't break my foot...or that I was even blessed to wake up in the first place. 

Life is all about choices. Choose to put your happy pants on. :)

Class Is In Session

I absolutely detest disrespect....in any form or fashion.  I do not tolerate disrepsect from my students...between my students...towards those in public service...for my country, its flag, its leaders, or its military.  Disrespectful language, attitudes, and behavior are at the core of what is wrong with our society at present.  Here are some scenerios to illustrate my point.

1) When you are in the check-out line of any kind (Wal-Mart, grocery store, bank, etc.) it is disrespectful to be on your cell phone.  By continuing a conversation, that I am sure the person at the register and people behind you do not need to hear...see previous post, you are telling the person  helping you that he or she is not worthy of your time and attention.  They work long hours to provide the public a service.  Put the phone down. Smile at them. Say hello.  Chat about the weather or the new flavor of gum you just picked out. Something...anything...just don't disrespect them.

2) It is never, for any reason, acceptable to put someone down...that goes triple for things that are outside of their control.  It is never ok to disrespect someone because they have a handicap or other disability.  They did not choose their dislexia, paralysis, or speech impediment.  Instead of being disrespectful, start by being thankful for your blessings.  Then, be amazed at the courage it takes for folks with any form of impairment to go out into a world full of hateful, disrespectful people and attempt to live their lives as normally as possible.  Shame on us for ever thinking that looking down on another person was acceptable.  We are ALL fearfully and wonderfully made.

3) It is not ok be disrespectful of our nation....in any way shape or form.  Is ok to be unhappy with the way things are? Absolutely.  Is ok to desire someone else to be in a certain position? Absolutely.  Is it ok to write to your political leaders and share your opinions about what needs to change? Absolutely.  However, it is not acceptable to disrespect the office they hold nor the person who holds it.  If you think that it is such an easy job--run for office...or at the very least vote. I am thankful for the people in my life who, instead of disrespecting those who were in charge, put their money where their mouth is and are doing something to make our state and nation better.  I cannot imagine the stress that comes with knowing that there is an entire nation of people...from all different backgrounds...with different kinds of needs/desires...looking to you to make it better.  It almost makes me sick thinking about it. The Bible says that I am to pray for my leaders.  I don't have to like them...but I should not disrespect them.

4) It is never ok for children to disrespect their parents/caregivers.  I realize that there are a lot of children in situations that are far less than ideal.  For the record, I also believe it is disrespectful and never ok to abuse, neglect, or demean your children.  Parenthood is a gift.  There are many people in the world who desperately want to have children but are unable to do so who would tell you what a gift children are.  Having parents is also a gift. There are many people in the world who lost their parent(s) far too soon and had to experience life without them who will tell you what a blessing it is to have your parents. However, children, discipline is not disrespect...it would be disrespectful not to correct you when it is warranted. 


I feel as though my soap box is beginning to weaken because I have stood on it too long.  So, all of that can be summed up in these few words: Be kind. 

My sentences don't need "@*#$"

I have discovered that I am becoming less and less tolerant of certain things.  An example--I am frequently annoyed by the use of profane language.  It is ignorant and offensive.  There are a plethora of other options that impart the same sentiment without violating the minds/ears of those in proximity with filth. There is little worse than being trapped in a public place, the checkout line at Walmart for example, and being assulted by nasty language.  I used to turn the other cheek and ignore things that I could not control.  I would keep my opinions to myself.  I have officially gotten over that.  I do not seek to involve myself in others' conversations, nor do I aim to offend. However, should you choose to loudly have a conversation in my presence that includes crass terminology, be prepared.  If you are having trouble finding just the right word or phrase, scan a thesaurus.  It is a wonderful tool.  Inside you will find words in abundance. There are even "apps for that."  In case you are wondering, here are a few current pet peeves:

Sucks--If used to describe the function of a vaccum cleaner...ok.  If used to describe the negativity of a   situation...no.

Retarded--If used to describe how you feel a situation is inadequate...unacceptable.

Holy Hell--I assure you, hell is by no means holy.

Gay--If used to describe a light-hearted, happy mood...ok.  If used to describe how you feel a situation is inadequate...unaccetable.  Inanimate objects have no sexual preference.

Call me antique

 There was a time when we raised little girls to be ladies and little boys to be men.  Young women were taught etiquette, dressed fashionably but modestly, were courted by young men, and respected themselves.  Young men were taught manners, learned to work hard in order to provide for their family, and treated young ladies with respect.  When in mixed company, certain topics were off limits....and some topics were simply off limits regardless of the company.  People used common sense.  Families went to church together. People were not perfect...nor was society/the world perfect...but it was polite.  I am not entirely certain when it happened, but things changed.  Not only do boys and girls talk about things that should not be discussed with the opposite sex, they see it all over TV and hear it in the lyrics of music.  They are bombarded with unbridled sensuality and see nothing wrong with acting out what they see and hear.  They hear offensive, ignorant language and make it part of their everyday conversation.  They do not respect the personal boundaries of others...limited as those boundaries might be.  They speak disrespectfully to their parents and other adults.  They dress in a way that exposes parts of themselves that are not meant to be seen in public.  They make messes and leave them for someone else to clean up.  When did this become acceptable?   I don't believe that being a well-spoken, well-behaved, and well-mannered individual is old-fashioned...I believe it is appropriate and necessary. I would like to be able to go out in public, both now and with my children in the future, and not be accosted by offensive sights and sounds.  Frequently, I hear people complain about the state of things...society, country, world, etc.  Perhaps, if we returned to some of those "old-fashioned" values we would see an improvement.  Just an idea.

All ya need is...

What is the one thing that everyone is missing?  Think globally...the one thing that makes all other challenges tolerable.  The Beatles tell us that "All Ya Need Is Love."  While I agree that love is vitally important, I feel that there is something else that is lacking.  Peace.  As we revisit the Christmas story, we are reminded that this is why Christ came.  To bring Peace.  Yes, he came so that we, as sinners, could have salvation from our sin...but with that, I assure you, comes peace.  An all-consuming peace that passes all understanding.  The kind of peace that provides comfort in the midst of turmoil...infuses your heart with added joy...cradles you in sleep.  Ironically, we are reminded of this beautiful peace during what has become the most hectic time of year.  Stores are overcrowded with less-than-happy people spending more than they have...and don't forget the parking lots of those stores...scary.  Roadways are packed with people trying to reach family and friends...drivers nerves become frazzled...children are anxious to get to their destination.  Students are cramming for finals and other semester exams...willing themselves to remember all they have learned during the past few months.  Families who have fallen on hard times sit broken...wishing they could provide their children with a little extra during the holidays...but struggling to scrape enough together to keep the heat on.  War...seemingly everywhere.  Winter storms.  So much more.  What's missing?  Peace.  This holiday season, whatever situation you find yourself in, I wish you peace.  Not a temporary peace...but an everlasting peace.  I pray that you find it and never let it go.  If you would like to hear more about how Christ can give you the gift of peace this season, find a local church and ask someone how you can pick up your free gift this Christmas.  I promise you won't be disappointed.

Isaiah 9:6-7
⁶ For to us a child is born,
   to us a son is given,
   and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called
   Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
   Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
⁷ Of the greatness of his government and peace
   there will be no end.

You're a mean one...

Semester Tests.  Just the mention of these dreaded exams envelops the room with a sense of doom. Students get nervous and stressed out about what will happen to their average based on this one grade.  Will they be off the naughty list and back in mom and dad's good graces?  Will they end up grounded for the majority of their holiday vacation? Who knows...it is indeed one of life's greatest mysteries.  What is rarely discussed is the teacher's anxiety during these exams.  Not only do they reflect on the students...they are a picture of how well the teacher has done his or her job thus far.  I often feel like the Grinch.  It is as if I am stealing the holiday joy from my students.  There will be no Christmas for you if you don't pass this big, ugly, comprehensive test I have created for you! I have an inner dialogue continually racing through my mind. Did I do a good job explaining the subtext in Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath?  Do they understand the difference between Shakespearean and Petrarchan sonnets? Will they ever be able to identify gerunds?!?!?  These are the questions that keep folks like me up at night.  Much like the Grinch, we "puzzle and puzzle til [our] puzzler[s] are sore."1  

I am optimistic.  I choose to believe that my students are going to do beautifully on their exams next week and that we all will enter into our Christmas break with happy hearts and a sense of accomplishment. No one's shoes will be too tight...everyone's hearts are the sizes they should be...and everyone's heads are properly screwed on. I am not a meanie...seriously.  I love roast beast.

1  The Grinch Who Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss

Silence is Golden

I have always been taught, "If you don't have something worthwhile to say--don't say anything at all."  This has served me well throughout my life.  I have learned to keep smart remarks to myself, not interrupt others (though I do still struggle with this a bit), and build people up instead of tear them down.  I am constantly amazed at the number of people, however, who were not taught this rule of thumb. No matter where you go, you hear things that are better left unsaid.  Here are a few guidelines to follow based on my own personal experiences:

1.  Unless you know the person very well and the conversation is taking place in an isolated location, there is no need to discuss any embarassing medical conditions.  It is very uncomfortable to be trapped in the checkout line with a stranger talking to you about why they have three different types of laxitives in their cart.

2.  It is never appropriate to speak negatively about someone in public.  Just because you can't hear anyone other than the person you are talking to on your cell phone while pushing your cart through Wal-Mart (most often loudly), doesn't mean that everyone else can't hear you.  The very person you are speaking about or one of their family members/friends could be on the next aisle.  Not to mention the fact that, from now on, every time I meet someone with the same name as the one you are speaking about I will wonder if they are in fact that person.  I will be distracted by this quandry and most likely walk away having heard nothing this person has said to me.  Save negative talk for a quiet, isolated location....or, better yet, don't speak negatively at all.

3.  The very word "intimate" implies privacy.  Therefore, if you feel the need to discuss something that would fall under the category of intimate with someone other than the person sharing said intimacy....don't.  The world does not need to know.  It is exceedingly awkward to be in a conversation like that.  I do not need inappropriate images seared into my brain that will come lurching forward every time I see you/talk to you from that point forward.  So, please, keeps those little gems to yourself.


I hope that no offense is taken by these examples...not my intention.  Perhaps this is one of those times that I should have kept my "mouth" shut....but I was willing to risk it.  As long as you remember to speak kindly and thoughtfully, you should rarely run into trouble. :)