For the past three nights, our 3 year old twins have been sick. Between runny noses, fevers, coughs and the inevitable lost teddy bears, my nights have been punctuated by short bursts of sleep and morning has been oh so heavy. It is often when we are physically drained that we find we have no reserves for anything else. That we become robots simply trying to get through our days. No wonder sleep deprivation is a known torture method.
For the past three days, it seems school has also been filled with turmoil. With major decisions and discussions. With emotions and low points. With short tempers and misunderstandings, all minor but when looked upon as a whole, the weight can seem unbearable.
And yet, every day has been a good one. Every day has been filled with more good than bad, more positive than otherwise. And it is not by happenstance or blissful ignorance, but by choice. Pure and simple.
Because we are all busy.
Because we are all faced with hardship.
Because we are all tired or sick or just a little bit emotional.
And we all have a choice to make.
Do we choose to spend our time wallowing in our low points or do we look for the good to carry us through?
I could have raged more.
I could have cried more.
I could have had my feelings more hurt, but in the end, I chose to get over it. To not make the bad the focal point but rather just a small point in my day long journey. To not forget, because we know we wont, but to move past it and find other things to spend my limited energy on.
As educators we have more good days than bad, but we also have a choice to make. Do we continue to look for the good? To care about the things we can change? Or do we focus on all the negative, on all the things out of our hands? Because there are plenty of things we could let tear us apart.
So tonight as I write this through my muddled thoughts; it is as a reminder to myself; the road will always be rocky. The day will always be filled with emotions. But the choice to stay positive and look for solutions rather than problems is one I can make. Is one I can take. And that’s what I intend to keep doing, how about you?
If you like what you read here, consider reading my book Passionate Learners – How to Engage and Empower Your Students. Also, if you are wondering where I will be in the coming year or would like to have me speak, please see this page.
Pernille Ripp 
I often pray for Holy Spirit energy. He always provides. One day at a time, one hour at a time. I am thankful for YOU!
Thanks for reminding me to look for the good!
Thank you for putting things in perspective – when we have a choice we are empowered. I hope today is better!!! 🙂
Pernille…. you have just put in to words so eloquently what I feel on a daily basis! Thank you for sharing your struggles and your ability to make a choice everyday to be positive. As you say, in education there are so many things we could be angry and frustrated about, but have absolutely no control over. We need to focus on what we do have control over and the things we CAN change!
Keep strong sweet Pernille. I know the feeling. And yes, it takes more energy with less rejuvenation to go to the dark side.
BReathe= this too shall pass. Wish I could hug you.