Joy

Finding joy can be difficult these days.  I thought I found a small amount of joy after watching the reboot of Roseanne.  My mom and I watched that show way back when and I could hear her cracking up through it just like she used to.  I remember those good times and during the show wondered if she would have liked it just the same if she were still around.  I thought the show was pretty good and might better than the old version.  It had what I remembered back in the day, a real reflection of middle America struggling to get by.  If you lived that way, you got the show and got the humor.  Of course back then, you didn't have to wake up to the social media backlash of things.  I realize that Roseanne herself does not align with my political beliefs, but now I have to stomach the amplification of everyone else's political beliefs just scrolling thought Facebook or my news feed.  Look, I am not a Trump fan in any way, but I didn't want all of that.  I just wanted to be entertained and reminisce on old nights on the couch with family watching TV.

We are so flooded with public opinion that it is hard to find the joy in things anymore.  It's not just social media and the news.  People are just different now and seem to be looking for conflict any where they go and in any situation.  If you are a regular guy with no agenda for life, it can make for difficult and stressful days.  Recently, I have endured lots of misbehaving students, angry parents, and disparaging news stories.  Through all of that, I still seek out joy wherever I can find it.  The truth is, there are a lot of things that bring me joy.

I love watching my kids think they have said or done something funny.

I love it when my wife brings my misguided stress into perspective.

I love watching people worship at church.

I love seeing a teacher with an exciting new idea.

I love the mere act of a student stopping to hang out with me in the halls.

I love watching my kids play sports (especially now that I am not coaching).

I love attending professional development events with other teachers and leaders.

I love eating a good steak or Italian beef sandwich.

We all have little things we use to center us from all the negativity of the world.  I was pleased to see that the Illinois Principals Association's School Leader Continuum recognizes this.  It is nice to know that they realize that people like me not only shoulder our own problems, but also the problems of many others too.  It is our responsibility to actively take care of our own mental well being.  If we don't, we are cheating our families and our schools.  Where do you find joy?  Are you open minded enough to see it all around you?  Just like Eddie Murphy in Coming to America.  Are you seeing the challenges in the room or are seeing joy?  That is up to you to answer, but for me I will be looking for the joy.