Several years ago, I attended a PD session; and it was a much needed wake up call for me not only professionally but also personally. It came at a time were I was beginning to feel myself slipping into a nasty case of winters blues and burnout in general. And I also felt like I was spending too much time on my phone and not enough time communicating meaningfully and in person with the people I love. The session was given by Alberta based clinical psychologist, Dr. Jody Carrington. She speaks very frankly on a variety of topics including: relationships, parenting, compassion fatigue, grief, leadership and trauma. I would say that by far this is THE greatest session I had been to in a VERY LONG TIME. If you ever get a chance to see her, I highly recommended it; even if you can’t, follow her on Instagram! I thoroughly enjoyed her book, Kids These Days!
One of the many items she talked about was that we find it difficult to be joyful; we are always preparing for the worst or we forget to “lean into joy” and ultimately gratitude. Basically we need to consciously articulate joy in our lives. She suggested that we all think of THREE things each day that gave us joy or that we were grateful /thankful for, no matter how small or silly it may seem. She said that we should do this until Christmas break and it would “change our lives.” A co-worker and I made a pact to follow her advice. I cannot begin to tell you the difference that this has made to my mood, energy level, classroom practice and to my relationships with family and friends. So here is what I found joy/gratitude in from November 1st to December 20th.
1.Coworkers
2. Gauge, my dog
3. Jody Carrington session
4. Treats in the staff room
5. Generosity of people
6. That my grade 9s were so well behaved and mature
7. Hunting; so I can watch a field full of does feeding while their fawns frolick
8.Coffee in the morning
9. Sunny weather during winter
10. Cuddling
11. Getting an extra hour of sleep
12. Being able to finally read a book for pleasure
13. That my friend who was in a car accident is on the mend
14. Funny teacher memes
15. Sloths
16. Getting an encouraging email from a parent
17. Being almost done report cards
18. Look on my neighbour’s face when I gave her a thank you gift
19. A grade 7 dressed up as a Trex for spirit day (showing exemplary school spirit)
20. A student who was concussed is getting back to her old self
21. When grade 9s did well with their letters to the justice minister
22. Chatting with students about Star Wars
23. My grade 7s love inreach class with me and seek it out
24. Our secretary brought dip two days in a row and the English teacher brought Krispy Kreme
25. Report cards are done
26. It is Friday
27. My best friend is coming over for the weekend from Calgary
28. Good food
29. Great wine
30. Adventures in Edmonton
31. Made quiche for the first time and it turned out very well (and was a hit with guests)
32. Garth Brooks sing along in the car
33. Great service from salespeople (just happy and super helpful; love what they do)
34. That I have the day off so I can recover from the plague without having to do sub plans
35. The Happiness Planner (I filled it in the other day with Megan but I read it over today)
36. Laundry and dishes are done; so I’m feeling productive (sick but productive
37. There was extra Cobbs Bread in the staff room so we all got to take some home
38. Macaroni & Cheese
39. Only have 1 set of assignments to mark (basically caught myself up today)
40. Got to see Kim today after what seems like a million years
41. Celebrating a coworker and wishing her well on her retirement
42. The art kids wrote messages of “get well” on my whiteboard and drew me pictures
43. Bird feeders
44. Aaron rubbed mint oil on my back so now it hurts less from coughing
45. Getting to hang out with my friend and her kids (virtual coffee date)
46. Seminars are planned (just a few little things to make, print & copy left)
47. Seeing my cousin Adam & Adeline
48. Awesome in-laws
49. Authentic Indian food
50. Vancouver without any rain
51. Fleece blankets
52. Ginger tea
53. Booze at a baby shower
54. Hubby is on the mend after dental surgery
55. The greatest sloth gift ever (a mini Sebastian in a onesie) from Kim because she came back to work! (2 things in one)
56. Sub plans are finished
57. Adorable shop cat
58. My DES 1010 kids earned their credit
59. Got to visit with my aunt
60. Apple crisp in the staff room
61. My DES 1020 kid earned their credit
62. Hump day candy and chips
63. Found a new favourite Chinese food place
64. Fuzzy socks
65. Cruising with Aaron
66. PD planning with Kim
67. It’s Friday!
68. Coming home to see that Aaron started to clean the kitchen
69. Murphy Brown reboot
70. Sleeping in
71. A hot cup of coffee
72. Mayans season finale
73. Cheesy romantic Christmas movies
74. Seeing the wild cat we found is getting chubbier, stronger and braver
75. Watching Gauge roll around in the snow
76. Freezer food; otherwise I would starve
77. Christmas decorations at work
78. My grade 11s were so productive today
79. Aaron is on his way home
80. Really good discussion about cultural contact and relationship building with the 7s
81. Purdys is dealt with and we fundraised $520
82. Best sloth puppet ever
83. Furniture arrived
84. Finding out that Aaron’s dental coverage is really good
85. Christmas gift idea from Deb
86. When a coworker gives you her sub so you can get caught up on marking
87. When a student realizes you were right about using worktime
88. Perogy deliciousness
89. Christmas card creation was a success with the art kids
90. Knowing that the Dr. Carrington challenge starts tomorrow
91. Christmas shopping with Aaron
92. Got my ring cleaned; I love sparkly things
93. Supporting my friend’s crafting business
94. Cranberry ginger ale
95. My new light up snowman decoration
96. Plowed driveway
97. Snow day
98. Ordered Aaron’s gift
99. New Kate Spade wallet from a generous coworker
100. Poinsettias are gorgeous
101. Pioneer Woman magazine; winter edition
102. Aaron put the tree up and made goose jerky and soup
103. Pajama Day
104. Phone call with my Calgary bestie
105. Sex and the City reruns
106. Poutine for dinner
107. Great class with the 9s
108. Having an understanding friend who listens to my rants
109. Sculpting Christmas ornaments
110. Donair
111. Happy puppy
112. Clean house
113. Tree is all decorated
114. Watching my nieces and nephew make a gingerbread house
115. Morning snuggles on the couch with my youngest niece watching cooking shows
116. Wrapping presents
117. Christmas scented candles
118. Kim’s bangs; because they look good and she feels so happy about her new look
119. Double prep in the morning
120. Learning how to shellac my own nails at home
121. Delicious cookie from one of my students
122. No tech glitches
123. Having a nice meal
124. Self car bingo cards
125. Great laughs with coworkers & Ed’s hashbrown casserole in the staff room
126. Social 9 class worked so well considering it was an 80 minute block (and we are inching closer to Christmas break)
127. Coming home to see a Christmas light surprise (Aaron bought lights to string along the driveway fence)
128. Rapping the clean version of “Lose Yourself” with Kim for the 7s
129. Grade 7 comic strips are looking so awesome
130. Drinks with Jess
131. Epic band concert
132. Purdy’s orders came in and was right
133. Andrew’s Christmas sweater
134. Receiving and reading the first Christmas cards of the season
135. Decluttering
136. Cousin in law becoming a nurse practitioner
137. Fixed a really special Christmas ornament finally; that broke like 6 years ago
138. Watching Home Alone movies while Aaron brines whitefish (smells soooo good!)
139. Crazy good sales at Indigo
140. Incredibly thoughtful and beautiful gifts from one of my students
141. All the treats in the staff room
142. Survived Monday before winter break
143. Lose Yourself was on the radio on the way to school
144. Chinese food
145. Secret Santa gift
146. Google Meets with the 8s
147. Charlie Brown Christmas Mural
148. Watching National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation while enjoying a cup of coffee