Make A Joyful Noise!

Everyday I walk by our music teacher's classroom a countless number of times. Each time I pass his door I read the banner that he has hanging outside his door. It reads "Make A Joyful Noise". The banner also has a picture of a musical instrument. Everytime I read the banner, I say to myself "I like that saying". The more I read it, the more I begin to see a different meaning to the words written on the banner, other than the meaning of make beautiful music. It made me ask myself, what kind of noise do I make? Am I loud and annoying? Am I angry and shouting? Do I sound unkind? Do I complain and moan? Or do I make a pleasant noise? Am I soft and soothing? Am I reassuring and encouraging? Do I offer hope? Am I easy listening? It seems that "The squeaky wheel always gets the most attention". Why do we give attention to those who complain the most, moan the most yell the most? Everytime we give attention to negative behavior, we get more negative behavior. We keep paying attention to it in the hope that it will shut up and leave us alone. But it never does. The squeaky wheel just keeps on squeaking. Pay attention to negative behavior and we get more negative behavior. I like to live by the saying "You get more bees with honey than you do with vinegar". If we pay more attention to the nice noises, we will get more pleasing sounds. It's pleasing to the ear. Makes us feel good inside. Encourages us to do more for eachother. It makes us pleasant to be around. We wouldn't want to shut eachother up and make people go away. So think to yourself. Do you make a joyful noise?
Today's Affirmation Reads: "I experience love wherever I go. Love is everywhere, and I am loving and lovable. Loving people fill my life, and I find myself easily expressing love to others."
Make a joyful noise everyday and your cup will runneth over with love!

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.

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.