Won't you be my neighbor

I love that I get to live next to wonderful people. I was in the process of opening my classroom door this morning when my phone rang. It was my neighbor calling to find out if I meant to leave my garage door open. Of course I hadn't and she said she would run over and close it for me. This is the kind of thing that happens when I get super busy or stressed, so I'm glad to know I've got people watching my back.

Besides that, it's an opportunity to remember a great American who made a difference in my childhood. Thanks Mr. Rodgers for reminding us to be good neighbors!

It's a Wonderful Life

If you are a regular reader of this random blog, you will know that a couple of weeks ago my sister came down to visit and spent one afternoon and night at my place. (She stayed longer than that, but we all went to her in-laws place.) It's always wonderful to share my own space with someone, but especially with my sister and her kids.

After the initial hugs and kisses and moving things in, we all hopped in the car and went to visit the farm I farm-sat for. My niece had gotten to see all the pictures and videos when I posted them--if she drank all her milk for the day at least--and enjoyed them. It was even better in real life. We saw the baby goat who drank all her milk, the cows who make funny noises, the chickens and where they lay their eggs, the garden, the cats and dogs, and the pigs. (I never really talked about the pigs before because I didn't have to do anything for them since their food and water is automated.) We even picked black berries and beans--which were eaten on the spot--and tomatoes.

We headed home to dinner. My niece and nephew made short work of the living room and soon there were dominoes everywhere. They loved it. They got to take baths in Aunt Elizabeth's bath tub and climb/crawl up and down the stairs (it was my 10-month-old walking nephew's first experience with stairs he could use himself with supervision).

At some point in the evening, while my sister was doing something with the baby, my niece and I headed over to the small park in my development. The weather was perfect and had been all afternoon. As we were walking over, my niece said with complete awe in her voice, "This is a wonderful place." She said it a couple of times, actually.

I've thought a lot about that over the last few weeks. And it's true. I do live in a wonderful place. From her almost three-year-old perspective, it had been an amazing afternoon. I guess I had enjoyed it just as much as she did, but in my own way. It's just that in her innocent wisdom, she recognized what she had in all it's goodness and glory and said so. What an example!

So here I am, stating for the world that I live in a wonderful place. I have a wonderful life. I have more blessings than I can count and certainly more opportunities to serve than I take. The title probably doesn't count as an allusion since it's a title itself, but it is one of my favorite movies and illustrates the need to actively see and communicate the positive things in life.

Thanks to Jimmy Stewart and my niece for reminding me to see life in all it's wonderful glory.

You Hear the Door Slam . . .

Okay, so name that tune (see title).

I feel like I'm in the doldrums of the school year. It's been hard keeping my chin up as it were and keeping a level head. The kids must feel similarly it seems because I've had more issues of the annoying behavior that gets under the skin.

With that back ground, earlier last week I had gone over to the classroom next door to ask the teacher if a student could work quietly in her room. As I returned to class through the doorway that connects our two classrooms, I found my class more out of control than I was willing to accept. As I stormed into the classroom to give them what for, I let my anger get the best of me and I slammed the door on my way in. I don't let myself get angry too often like that. I hate the feeling and really it doesn't do any good. The kids certainly were good the next day, though.

The silver lining is that my neighbor teacher has been laughing about it ever since. She was so surprised that her supposedly level headed, calm, put together neighbor (like anyone who knows me well would believe that!)had it in her to slam the door like that. When the story came out next day at lunch, everyone got a kick out of it and congratulated me on joining the "dark side." I was just glad that I could provide some entertainment. Now if only my students saw it that way!

Think spring everyone!

Take Life Seriously?

I've always had the nagging feeling that I take life too seriously. Being able to reach out to others with an easy smile and laugh is such a simple thing, yet has such profound affects. It lightens life's load for yourself and everyone around you. Those that are blessed with that sublime talent of optimism and seeing beyond their own reality are so wonderful to be around. I want to be more like that, but I get swallowed up in my own little world so easily.

I think my issue is that I see life too narrowly, as something to accomplish--an end--and not a journey with a thousand vistas to be enjoyed. I feel I miss much of the bigger picture that makes life full. Consider this analogy: I play ultimate frisbee with an LDS group on Saturdays. I enjoy it very much, but all I really understand of the game is that you have to get the frisbee to your end of the field despite the obstacles (the other team). I can run, throw, and catch with moderate competence, but strategy is almost lost on me. As a result, I sometimes feel more of a hindrance than a help to those with more sports savvy. I wonder if I as well as others would enjoy the game more if I got the strategy.

So, what's the strategy to not taking life so seriously? Anybody want to weigh in? (Of course the irony is that this whole topic is far too serious, but I needed to air this idea and clear my brain.)