Fake it...?

I was reading an article on Gala Darling's website about her new filofax. I've always been a fan of planning so the filofax article itself was not that amazing or insightful. Gala did show how she used the filofax and this was what spurred my thought for today.

She had a page in her organiser that was a list of daily "gratitudes" or affirmations that things would go well for her - an example she gave was that her dogs would get on with each other. I'm not really on board with the whole "The Secret" band wagon - I don't believe that you get everything you want just because you want it and that seems to be the essence of this law of attraction thing... I may be wrong, but that's the gist of what I understand from various articles I have read on the subject.

It did get me wondering about how I look at situations. I've reached end-of-term burnout. When I'm not teaching my classes I just want to sit on the staff room couch and stare into space. I don't like my classes at the moment, the kids annoy me, half of them are so lazy I don't even feel like trying. I feel empty and sad when it comes to the employment section of my life and the worst part is that I know that it's not all true.

I'm exhausted... as in "if I make it to the end of the week without falling sick, I'll be amazed". I know that I'm only seeing the bad because I feel so tired and the same students keep disappointing me. I'm failing to see the good in students who improve their behaviour, I'm failing to acknowledge those students who are awesome all the time.

So after a good night's sleep I plan on writing some positive affirmations to stick by my desk. And to relax myself before going to bed tonight, I'm going to reflect on the serenity prayer (which I know to some of you makes about as much sense as "The Secret").

God grant me the serenity

to accept the things I cannot change;

courage to change the things I can;

and wisdom to know the difference.

Living one day at a time;

Enjoying one moment at a time;

Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;

Taking, as He did, this sinful world

as it is, not as I would have it;

Trusting that He will make all things right

if I surrender to His Will;

That I may be reasonably happy in this life

and supremely happy with Him

Forever in the next.

Amen.