1. My favorite beverage
So, it's been awhile since my last post! I have been inspired to create a personal list of feel good things. One of my dear friends from high school has applied for a job with SAM-e to blog about good moods. He truly deserves this job because everyday he posts questions to ponder, and positive things to think about throughout the day. (Check out his blog @ http://detavio.com)Which brings me to today's post. My list of feel good things. A gal named Lisa did this on the SAM-e website and I, in turn am borrowing it.
Here it is, in no particular order:
1. Friday nights.
2. An unexpected hug from someone just because.
3. It's cold outside, but the fire is on and I'm under a blanket, with the dogs right by my side.
4. Coming home after a long day at work.
5. A compliment from someone you barely know.
6. A long, hot shower after a hard workout.
7. Feeling like you could run for hours.
8. Connecting with old friends.
9. Receiving a note letting you know that you do make a difference.
10. Taking a bite of a chocolate chip cookie that came right out of the oven.
11. Going to an NFL football game and cheering your team on. (Go Broncos!)
12. Browsing through the new issue of your favorite magazine.
13. Reading a great book.
14. Laughing until it hurts.
15. A delicious home cooked meal.
16. Sitting in the sun on a perfect fall day.
17. Discovering an awesome new song.
18. Reading an old journal entry, and remembering exactly how you felt that day.
19. Going through old pictures and remembering what brought you to where you are today.
20. Throwing a party for someone you care about.
"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."
This week marked the beginning of the school year for teachers. On the first day back, our Head Master read this excerpt, as a thought starter for the year. Because I connect with, and love children and dogs so much, I had to post it. It is a reminder of what is really important in life: A Dog's Purpose
(from a 6-year-old)
Being a veterinarian I had been called to examine a ten-year-old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife Lisa, and their little boy Shane, were all very attached to Belker, and they were hoping for a miracle.
I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the
family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home.
As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for six-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience.
The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's
family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting
the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away.
The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any
difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's
death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are
shorter than human lives.
Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, 'I know why.'
Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next
stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation.
He said, 'People are born so that they can learn how to live a good
life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?'
The Six-year-old continued, 'Well, dogs already know how to do
that, so they don't have to stay as long.'
So live like a dog:
Live simply.
Love generously.
Care deeply.
Speak kindly.
Remember, if a dog was the teacher you would learn things
like:
When loved ones come home, always run to greet them.
Never pass up the opportunity to go for a joyride.
Allow the experience of fresh air and the wind in your face to be pure ecstasy.
Take naps. Stretch before rising.
Run, romp, and play daily.
Thrive on attention and let people touch you.
Avoid biting when a simple growl will do.
On warm days, stop to lie on your back on the grass..
On hot days, drink lots of water and lie under a shady tree.
When you're happy, dance around and wag your entire body.
Delight in the simple joy of a long walk.
Be loyal.
Never pretend to be something you're not.
If what you want lies buried, dig until you find it.
When someone is having a bad day, be silent, sit close by, and nuzzle
them gently.
ENJOY EVERY MOMENT
OF EVERY DAY
This week marks the end of my Craft of Writing and Contemporary Math classes. Moving on next week to The Effective Classroom and Children's and Adolescent Lit. In the syllabus for the lit class, it mentions that I will be reading and evaluating over 60 children's books! This is gonna be fun. I've already added a bookshelf to my blog, and now it will be stocked full of reviews and recommendations for great books to read to kids. One of my favorites last year was Bad Dog, Marley! adapted from Marley & Me, written by John Grogan. Stay tuned, and checkout my shelf located on the right side of this post section titled, "Good Reads".
So, I was at the book store today just browsing, and came across a book called The Geography of Bliss. The author, Eric Weiner, writes about happiness; what it means to be happy, and how different people define it. The title is what really reeled me in. The cover was enticing too. Isn't it amazing how just the cover and title of a book can get you to look into it further? I read the summary and BAM, I was hooked. I'm such a sucker! I'm that way with so many things. Today I want to list the little things that make me happy. Cheesy? Yes. I don't care!
Summer is winding down (it goes by so fast!) and school starts in two weeks. I'm excited to see the new little faces of 1st grade. This summer has been productive and rejuvenating! Here are some of my fabulous summer activities, leading to surprising discoveries:
"Follow your heart, but be quiet for a while first. Ask questions, then feel 
As promised, here is a sangria recipe I adapted from AllRecipes.com. Enjoy!
I make it a point to run at least every other day. Some days, I feel like I could run endlessly. My playlist is just right, the temperature outside is perfect, and I feel light on my feet. Other days, it's a serious struggle. My body is sore, my mind is tired, and the thought of pounding the pavement is painful.
"Laughter is an instant vacation." ~ Milton Berle
In this picture I see a younger version of myself holding my newest pup, Toby. He's such a sweet and loyal little guy, still hesitant to go out and explore the world around him, but still so curious! He's protective, and thinks he's bigger than the little squirt he is. He's my little buddy, my baby pup.
