Today's thought from Hazelden is:

As we think, so we become.

We can enrich our interior monologue. We can seek the company of people who inspire us with a loving approach to life. We can absorb the written thoughts of writers who encourage our positive emotions. We can decide to be cheerful and optimistic, just for today.

Whom would you rather be around - someone who chronically complains and talks about what a mess everything is, or someone who finds joy and delight in watching the antics of two squirrels in a tree? You are your constant companion. Your own company can be a pleasure or a drag, depending on the thoughts and feelings you permit to linger in your consciousness.

We take Steps Four and Five in order to sort out our thoughts, getting rid of those that depress our spirit. In Step Ten, we continue a daily mental housecleaning so that residues of resentment and discouragement are not allowed to accumulate. Then we go on to Step Eleven for an infusion of the kind of thinking that nurtures the person we want to become.

Today, I will exercise my freedom of thought.
From: Inner Harvest by Elisabeth L.


Along that same line comes the quote from my perpetual calendar:

Who deserves your praise today?


I think all of this goes along with self-acceptance and self-love. I deserve my praise today. I need to be my own ally rather than my own enemy.

The portfolios got done. I called for a sub. It was hard to get some of the teachers to sign. They acted as if I was lying. I wasn't lying. All I had to show was that a child had been in their presence for at least five minutes and that their regular ed peers had also been present. I stationed myself in the breakfast room, the work room across from the gym, the 3rd grade hall and in the conference room. By 12:30 all four portfolios were done. I left the school and went to turn them in.

The special ed department is stationed upstairs in the administration building. I fell when I got to the top of the stairs. I received a bloody nose and a wrenched knee in the process. So, I gave myself the rest of the day off to nurse my body's wounds.

All in all I'm not too upset about the bruises or bloody nose. I maintained my integrity and although those portfolios were not my best work, they were all that I could do today. Rather than think poorly of myself I choose to pat myself on the back and praise my efforts.

I have a new on-line friend.