Control

Whenever I have an exceptionally bad day at work I end up looking to myself.  What can I do differently to change my day tomorrow?  How can I change my perspective?  How can I change my actions?  These are just a few of the questions I hear myself asking. 

I needed to ask these questions again this past week.  After the time change, my students were exhausted and had a difficult time making the good choices and controlling their impulses like they usually do.  I felt badly for how tired I knew they were.  At that young age, you don't always understand why you were short with your best friend or why you can't complete an assignment you normally can whiz through.  After a couple of these days, trying to encourage and convince the students to be kind to each other, I looked to myself.

Was I being short?  Was I forgetting to see the positive?  Was I harder on them simply because I was tired too?  I discovered all three answers were, yes. 

The next day, I changed me.  I changed my tone.  I looked for the amazing.  I gave more prizes.  I created more exciting avenues for learning. The past two days have been midday compared to the black night of the first two.

Next time the storm clouds come in and the thunder rolls in your life.  Look to yourself.  Even if the storm is brewing around you, you don't have to reflect it.  You can create your own weather and affect those around you with your new day.

I used the same tactic when my girls were little.  On the days when I felt like I was only nagging them and they just wouldn't listen.  I had to stop and reflect on me.  I found a way to change.  I found a way to be a part of their lives instead of simply standing back and ordering them around.  I found a way to show them that living isn't always work, it is enjoying each other and making each other happy and growing together.

Anytime I have disliked my situation, I start with myself.  There are definitely things those around me could change to make it easier, but I can't control them.  I can control me.  I can choose what I do, what I say and how I live.