I have come to fall in love with teaching in Catholic schools. What are YOU in love with?...

"Nothing is more practical than finding God, that is, than falling in love in a quite absolute, final way. What you are in love with, what seizes your imagination, will affect everything. It will decide what will get you out of bed in the morning, what you will do with your evenings, how you will spend your weekends, what you read, who you know, what breaks your heart, and what amazes you with joy and gratitude. Fall in love, stay in love, and it will decide everything." - Pedro Arrupe

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Time for a break

Take a break.

Sometimes, it's as simple as that.

When we're all wrapped up in an activity and the feelings of a moment, maybe it's time to take a step away before we do or say something we shouldn't. (Think the latest Snickers commercials.)


I'll be the first to admit I need to remember this small piece of advice, especially in the classroom. There are days when it is so easy to be frustrated by students' chit-chatting, indifference, trips to la-la land, or repeated inability to get a problem (even when the answer is staring them right in the face). And, at these times, I'm positive my blood pressure rises right alongside my agitation and lack of patience.

Am I going to say or do something I'll regret? Probably...but that will be less likely if I step back and try again later with a new perspective or refreshed attitude (and maybe even some divine inspiration).

See - it's not a bad thing to take a break. In fact, it is something I think we should all try to do a little more often.

No comments:

Post a Comment