my mood makes the weather + I have the best friends.

"I have come to a frightening conclusion. 
I am the decisive element in the classroom.

It is my personal approach that creates the climate.
It is my daily mood that makes the weather. 

As a teacher I possess tremendous power to make 
a child's life miserable or joyous. 

I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration. 
I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. 

In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis 
will be escalated or de-escalated, and a child humanized or dehumanized."

-Haim Ginott

My supervisor included this quote in the information he gave me for my placement. I read it once and it's been stuck in my head ever since, which is a good thing. A great thing. I think my favourite lines are the second two. I create the climate and my mood makes the weather. I've tried to keep this in mind as I go to school each day, especially this week and last, when my mood has been so off. I may have things going on in my life that are upsetting, but I don't take them to school with me. (This can be tricky, but as soon as the bell rings and I have a few little ones asking to hold my hand and wanting to tell me stories, the bad stuff seems to disappear...)

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On a semi-related note, yesterday was a rough day. There were some tears at the end of it and I was feeling pretty bad, but I am blessed to have wonderful friends. I called one and she rushed to see me, listened, and had many kind and loving words to say. Another drove me to where I needed to go, made me laugh, and was patient while I picked out toothpaste and a toothbrush. (No small feat considering the number of options available and my inability to make a decision).

When I remarked to my patient friend that I was lucky to have such great friends, he asked what luck had to do with it. And it made me think. Maybe it's not luck. And I thought, "If these people are so kind to me, I must be doing something right. Hopefully, it means I'm just as good a friend to them."

P.S. Grey's Anatomy is still my therapy. I watched last week's episode last night and it helped me feel lighter, which I needed.

(Image via Clipart Pal)