Three Things That Made Me Smile Today SOL#4

Image by Pexels from Pixabay

I am trying to avoid social media these days. Mostly because it is a time sucker. 

A while back, I started posting "three things that made me smile today." I loved doing these posts. It helped me to find those small, ordinary things that I was grateful for in my day.

Gratitude journaling has many benefits such as lowering stress, improving attitudes, and increasing happiness. Although I haphazardly keep a gratitude journal, I enjoyed posting these on social media.

As I was deciding what slice of my life to share today, I thought this would be a great way to capture those small moments that I am grateful for.

Three things that made me smile Monday:

1. The smell of cocoa butter--I have been massaging the muscles behind my knee and the bursa sacs with cocoa butter, and while at first, I didn't like the smell, it now reminds me that through pain comes relief.
2. Reading aloud to my students--I don't do this often enough, but we are reading a whole class novel, and I have been reading aloud some of the chapters. Even middle schoolers enjoy this!
3. My husband--with my knee injury, my mobility is limited, and I am unable to go up and down stairs. My husband has been pulling double duty by doing extra things around the house. I am so grateful for his help!

Writing this slice of gratitude made me smile and ended my day on a positive note!

I am grateful to Two Writing Teachers and the other teacher-writers as we 
share a slice of life during the month of March. 

Attitude with Gratitude Catch-up Posts

This month I am joining fellow bloggers and @TeachThought for a November blogging challenge - Teaching Through an Attitude of Gratitude.  Please click here if you would like to join in the reflection.

Since this is a catch-up post, I am writing three days worth today.  They are short, but I am caught up!  Hopefully this won't become a trend!  I, like most of you, really do not have the time, but please check back Tuesday for my Slice of Life to read about why I decided to participate.

November 1 - What are the best aspects of being a teacher?

For me, the best aspect of being a teacher is the relationships with the students. When I was student teaching, I wondered if my supervising teacher even liked kids. To be in that environment for eight weeks was difficult.  I learned then, that creating those relationships was important to not only having a successful classroom but also to being a happy teacher.  My students make me laugh, make me cry, make me think, and make me happy.  

I was asked a similar question during an interview and my answer was, "The kids, of course!"  I am convinced that answer helped me get the job.

November 2 - What is one small delight in the day that you always look forward to?

My small delight at school is my third period dark chocolate M&M's.  That is my prep period and I keep a bag in my desk drawer.  It is that perfect pick-me-up!

My small delight at home is my time spent reading in the tub!  My "bath time" has been sacred since my kids were little...and they are 22 and 18.  That's a lot of bubbles.  

November 3 - What are you most proud of to date in your teaching career?

Actually becoming a teacher is what am most proud of.  I returned to school at the age of 40.  Prior to that I was a retail district manager and a stay-at-home mom.  The decision to return to school was not an easy one, but one I have never regretted. Sitting in a classroom with 20 year olds was not easy either, but so much fun!  

That decision has led me down a wonderful path.  I never imagined I would be where I am today, challenging myself to reach higher and dream bigger.