Be A Part of the Solution!

Getting back to work this week has been great. A little hectic- but very successful. It will be even greater on Friday when the first paycheck of the school year is deposited into my bank account. The end of every summer is always quite a financial challenge for us. The summer check that I get in June is usually gone by the end of July. When we are home, we eat more, we go out more in short-we spend more! This year is no exception- we ate a lot, we went out a lot and now there isn't a lot! I could complain! I could blame everybody for eating us out of house and home. We could have stayed in all summer- that would have been boring! Instead, I decided to just work with what we have. So this is the week that I have to get crafty with expenses. I only bought a half a tank of gas (I can now get around until Friday). I disguised leftovers into a new dinner (nobody suspected a thing). I will be bringing my own lunch to work (I raid the change jar each day so I can buy a cup of coffee and a bottle of water). I've got two more days of craftiness until all is well again. Aside from being crafty with finances, I have to say that our first 5 days of school have been very successful. All have been getting up without a fuss- including mom!!! We have all been on time- including mom!!!!
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I release all criticism. I only give out that which I wish to receive in return. My love and acceptance of others is mirrored in me in every moment."
I have approached this new school year with a positive outlook. I have offered my assistance to new teachers and have offered to help in anyway that will help someone's day to run smoother. When some people are quick to criticise or complain, I will stop for a moment, take a deep breath and then help to create solutions rather than spend time and energy complaining and criticising which only adds fuel to fire. One of my favorite sayings reads "If you're not part of the solution then you are part of the problem."
I would love to hear how you work the problem instead of complaining. Help us to all be a part of the solution!

1st Week of School!

School is in! It has been a crazy week. I have been away from the blogging world for a couple of days and I missed everybody. I'm back now. The first week of school is always very hectic for teachers. I have been so exhausted these past couple of days I've been coming home and falling asleep for an hour before making dinner. However, I am very grateful to get back to work. I truly love my job! I haven't met with any students yet as it is too early to tell which students will need my help in math. I have spent my days setting up computers, meeting with new teachers, attending workshops, and tending to last minute setting up. So, I guess this entry will be about my gratitude for my job.
Some things I love about being a teacher:
I am grateful for the growth that the students make.
I am grateful for working with the teachers to help them better implement math and technology into the curriculum.
I am grateful for the teaching assistants who work for me. They really help to make my job easier.
I am grateful for the friends that I have made these past 20 years. They are relationships that I will cherish for the rest of my life even past retirement.

Today's Affirmation: "I am at peace. Divine peace and harmony surround me and dwell in me. I feel tolerance, compassion and love for all people, myself included."

Feeling gratitude for my job gives me a great feeling of peace in my world. When I enjoy what I do, I feel joy with the rest of my life. I have studied and worked hard to achieve my place in my school. This gives me a great sense of satisfaction and PEACE!
Below you will find a video to watch Abraham Hicks explain the Appreciation vs. Gratitude.

Ok, so I'm working on moving toward apprecation!

Here is another video to help you meditate your gratefulness or appreciation:



I hope this can help you in your journey in finding complete appreciation for all that you have in your universe.

It's That Time of Year Again!

The air is getting cooler. Night time is creeping in earlier everyday. The kids are going into their homes a little earlier each night. Supply lists are coming in the mail. Teachers are preparing their classrooms. Yes, it's back to school time again. As a mom I'm thrilled. I need the kids to go back to school- they're eating me out of house and home! As a teacher I'm dragging my feet just like the kids. I enjoy the summer just as much as the kids. I sleep late, stay up late, just like the kids. Thinking back on the events of the summer, I have much for which to be grateful. We spent a beautiful week in Puerta Vallarta, Mexico. Although my mother-in-law spent some time in the hospital, she is fine and working towards a complete recovery. I had the great opportunity to teach computers to 3rd graders at Science Camp for 1 week. I took a class with my colleagues through Columbia University and received graduate credit at the expense of my school district. I am most grateful for the shift in behavior my 14 year old son has made. He learned a very valuable lesson while attending summer school. That lesson is that he did not like going to school in the summer and will do his best to not have to go next summer. He had many ups and downs throughout the summer. His behavior was quite challenging this summer. Through much love and devotion I, my husband and the family showed for him, he is now responding to his boundaries with acceptance rather than opposition. He showed quite a shift at dinner tonight. While my husband was at a dinner meeting, the kids and I went out for dinner together. Tonight was the first night in a long time that my son did not complain about going out with us, where we were going or eating or rush us so that he could go out with friends after. He actually smiled, laughed and participated in the conversation without spending most of the time texting on his phone. Yeah! I think that we have finally cracked his surface. I know that my fiesty little boy is coming back to us. I know that his new expedition to high school will be challenging but I know he will conquer it and live to the potential that he has. I know now that his talents will now blossom. This is a new school year in a new school. The slate is wiped clean for us all and I know that we will be successful.

Today's Affirmation Reads: "There is plenty for everyone including me. The ocean life is lavish with its abundance. All my needs and desires are met before I even ask. My good comes from everywhere and everyone and everything."

We will enter this new school year with the eagerness to be the best we can be. To excell to new heights. These great accomplishments will bring us the abundance of all that this universe has to offer.

Share your thougths and goals for the new school year.

Queen For A Day No More!

I just want to say thank you to all of the nice birthday wishes that were extended to me yesterday. I really had a nice and relaxing day. I was "Queen for the Day" as everyone waited on me hand and foot. My husband prepared a great dinner and my family came by. After dinner and cake, we lit a fire in the firepit on the patio and sat around the fire for a while. Today my reign as queen has ended. I hopped on the treadmill this morning (too much cake) and all was back to normal.

Ok-here is today's affirmation: "My work is deeply fulfilling. Today I give my best to that which I do, knowing that when one experience is complete, I am led to even more fulfilling and rewarding experiences." Being a teacher, I don't work in the summer. So my job during the summer months is reduced down to that of mother and wife, instead of mother, wife and teacher. I get to take off one of my hats for 2 months. The job of mother and wife can be very fulfilling! I feel fulfilled when my kids excel at something or when faced with a social challenge they make a good choice and do what is right and not necessarily what is popular. My husband and I have a very close relationship and we work together to raise the kids. He truly is my best friend. Tomorrow we will celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. It has been a very fulfilling 18 years. I feel very blessed to have such a loving family. We encounter many challenges but we work through them together. We know that when one task is complete, we will be led to another experience and we will tackle it together and grow from each experience that we encounter. In a couple of weeks I will put my teacher hat back on and I am looking forward to a new year with my students. I know that each day will be rewarding for them and me. Together we will grow and learn. They will make great strides during the school year and I am always so proud of all of their accomplishments.

How does your job fulfill you? I would love to know how you face challenges and create rewarding experiences with whatever you do.