I Needed to Get Out Tonight


Today I had a rough first day back at work. I’m a 4th grade teacher in California and my school just put new carpet in my room. As a result, I had to take every item out of storage and rearrange all my things from the heaviest desks to the minutiae of staples. Tomorrow I have my biggest chore: the walls. I have to hang colored butcher paper and staple them up. It’s a daunting task, if you are a teacher you know.

When it was time to go home I could have gone home to take a nap (which I considered) but I thought taking my wife out to the new sports-bar pizza joint would be more inspiring. It was tasty and they even had a popcorn machines. As I had a few Amber ales and chatted with my wife, my troubles seemed smaller. I looked around and saw the many other people in the evening restaurant air and imagined their problems. Despite them, they were laughing and giving high-fives … I was glad to be with them.

My point of this vignette: get out more. Often when we want to hide from our duties and jobs what we really need is just to put ourselves where the people are. That’s where we find we aren’t any better or worse off than most of them

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9 Comments »

Comment by Catatonic Kid
2008-08-14 06:29:28

Good point! It can make a huge difference, for sure. Perspective is everything ‘eh - well, just about.

Catatonic Kids last blog post..Energetic Apathy.

Comment by Damien Riley
2008-08-14 11:48:13

Yeah, sometimes positive thinking meets a brick wall! That’s where you really learn about yourself. But imagine if the brick wall is really just us? Now that’s a leader’s thought. Thanks for the comment!

 
 
Comment by Bobbie Dawn
2008-08-14 11:39:00

I was just wondering when you would be back to school yesterday… a few of my friends are teacher and they are headed back, too.

It’s always rough going back after the summer, but a new carpet ought to be enjoyed by so many 10-yr olds!

Anyhow, great post as always - great perspectives.

Comment by Damien Riley
2008-08-14 11:49:20

Hi Bobbie. Yes I am back! Thanks for your nice compliment. I always try and make the posts rational even when I am not! ;)

 
 
Comment by Katelyn
2008-08-14 13:42:54

I totally agree, getting out is a MUST! I love it when I need to vent about something and I go to talk to my hubby. Everything seems less tense and more in focus. It’s a great feeling to know he’ll be with me for a long time to help smooth things out.

Mmmmm. Beeeer. I need one of those tonight!

Katelyns last blog post..Blogging Techniques

Comment by Damien Riley
2008-08-15 07:30:07

Great minds … well y’know ;)

 
 
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