Do what you love and love what you do...

Tonight I want to talk to you about how I think you can live a happier life. It's probably simpler than you think...

This all kind of stemmed from my stint as a sounding board during multiple lunchtime tirades yesterday. Maybe I'm a little naive but shouldn't teachers really enjoy the life they lead? Shouldn't they, on some basic level, like their job? Perhaps I'm showing my youth. Perhaps a job as a teacher is the same doldrum that all jobs are. Joyless days on top of joyless days where your only method of survival is pissing and moaning during the day and getting drunk at the end of it. But why does that have to be the way it is? Not just for teachers but for everybody... I mean why can't you strike out and make a better life for yourself? So what if you've been doing the same thing forever or you went to college to do something that you now hate. That fact shouldn't be enough to tie you down for the next couple of decades while you wait for social security to kick.

But I guess this isn't really true for everyone. Alot of people, teachers in particular, have a tendency to make an about-face during their sophomore slump and never look back. I say more power to em. If you realize it's making your life unhappy, why keep it up?! If on day one you already feel like the world is caving in around you... what are you doing here?

Those of you who have taught are probably familiar with the idea that you can't smile until after Christmas. It shows vulnerability and the kids will eat you alive. What?! You guys that know me personally, please... if I am ever working and decide that not smiling is a good idea, let me know it's time to hang it up.

These kids need love. They need compassion and they need to feel like we're on their team. Why the F would you decide not smiling at them is a good idea? So they'll be scared of you? So they'll know you don't mess around? I mean seriously, what's the upside? Think back to all the teachers you liked the best (or perhaps disliked the least), how many of them didn't smile? How many acted like they didn't want to be there? How many were too busy to be involved with student activities? I would guess the pickin's are slim to none there.

So teachers, love on your kids. You'll both be better off for it, even if it does make them more talkative. Non-teachers, love on your own kids. Show them with your face how happy you are to see them. Even if they don't act like it, it means alot to them. And for goodness sakes if you hate your job... go find another!
Love what you do, and do what you love... it may seem difficult to take a step in a different direction, but you have to ask yourself, 'Ten years from now, am I going to look back and be glad I didn't make a change?' If the answer is anything but yes, you might want to check out the Help Wanted section.