Today I attend my first inservice in this county. I'm grateful for the new job and I'm ever so glad to have something to do today. It will help keep me focused and my mind off my problems. I'm a little nervous. Meeting new people always makes me nervous. My perpetual calendar seems to have some good advice for me today.

Just be yourself today.
It's so hard being someone else.

I've looked at the schedule nothing that will be presented today actually seems to pertain to me. I'm hoping I get some time to work in my new classroom.

I really hope that this is the start of a new chapter in my life. I'm in need of something to jump start me. I'm not liking myself very much right now.

I need to amend this entry. I'm afraid. What if I'm too burned out to teach? Where would I find another job? I have so much riding on me right now. I feel like I have the weight of the world on my shoulders financially. What would I do if I failed at this?

I called Linda just now for some emotional support. She prayed with me and reminded me of my many blessings. I guess I need to do a gratitude list right now.

Today I have:
A roof over my head
Fans to keep air circulating even though the air conditioner is not working
Transportation with 3/4 tank of gas
Clean clothes
Food to eat
Companionship to two cats
A loving God

Turned out that I was worried over nothing. Everything went fine. I didn't accomplish much but I did make it through the day.

A fellow Al-Anon member from Mt. Juliet sent me these:

An Angel says, "Never borrow from the future. If you worry about what may happen tomorrow and it doesn't happen, you have worried in vain. Even if it does happen, you have to worry TWICE."

1. Pray

2. Go to bed on time.

3. Get up on time so you can start the day unrushed.

4. Say No to projects that won't fit into your time schedule, or that will compromise your mental health.

5. Delegate tasks to capable others.

6. Simplify and unclutter your life.

7. Less is more. (Although one is often not enough, two are often too many.)

8. Allow extra time to do things and to get to places.
9. Pace yourself. Spread out big changes and difficult projects over time; don't lump the hard things all together.

10. Take one day at a time.
11. Separate worries from concerns. If a situation is a concern, find out what God would have you do and let go of the anxiety. If you can't do anything about a situation, forget it.

12. Live within your budget; don't use credit cards for ordinary purchases.

13. Have backups; an extra car key in your wallet, an extra house key buried in the garden, extra stamps, etc.

14. K.M.S . (Keep Mouth Shut). This single piece of advice can prevent an enormous amount of trouble.

15. Do something for the Kid in You everyday.

16. Carry a Bible with you to read while waiting in line.

17. Get enough rest.

18. Eat right.

19. Get organized so everything has its place.

20. Listen to a tape while driving that can help improve your quality of life.

21. Write down thoughts and inspirations.

22. Every day, find time to be alone.

23. Having problems? Talk to God on the spot. Try to nip small problems in the bud. Don't wait until it's time to go to bed to try and pray.

24. Make friends with Godly people.

25. Keep a folder of favorite scriptures on hand.

26. Remember that the shortest bridge between despair and hope is often a good "Thank you Jesus."

27. Laugh.

28. Laugh some more!

29. Take your work seriously, but not yourself at all.

30. Develop a forgiving attitude (most people are doing the best they can).

31. Be kind to unkind people (they probably need it the most).

32. Sit on your ego.

33. Talk less; listen more.

34. Slow down.

35. Remind yourself that you are not the general manager of the universe.

36 . Every night before bed, think of one thing you're grateful for that you've never been grateful for before.

GOD HAS A WAY OF TURNING THINGS AROUND FOR YOU. "If God is for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31)