A friend posted the following Helen Keller quote on Facebook yesterday and I really like it, so I wanted to post it here.

“When one door of happiness closes, another opens; but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one which has been opened for us.”

Since my life has been full of transitions these past few years, I think this is a thought I need to keep in the front of my  mind.

This is not just for the big things, though.  This is also something to remember for all those little things that come up in life. When the pouring rain spoils the camping trip; when the restaurant is sold out of your favorite dish; when overtime means dinner on your own, to name a few.  How often do we look at these closed doors of happiness and miss an opportunity for unplanned/unexpected happiness?   I can think of too many instances where I have done this.

Happily, I can also think of times where I didn’t miss the open door.  A few years ago it seemed to rain every time we went camping.  We spent lots of time being disappointed, but then we got out the board gam es. We spent far more time gaming than we do on typical trips and had more fun together than we had had in a long time. Next time you face a disappointment, try not to focus on the closed door and look for the open door.  You might find something even better!

If you are reading this, I imagine you are shocked to find that I am actually adding a post.  To be honest, I’ll be surprised if anyone actually reads this.  It will take me some time to get readers back, but I’ll try to be more consistent this year.

I’m sitting in a class on web 2.0 tools with Polly Farrington and the current instruction is to set up a blog, so now is as good a time as any to get back to work on this.

This is going to be another year of change as I am changing schools again.  This time the change was voluntary, but it is uncomfortable just the same.  I can really relate to those kids who move around a lot.

My husband bought me two beautiful hanging flower baskets this year despite my tendancy to kill plants.   We spent some time at the garden center learning about how I should care for the plants.  One thing I learned is that I need to “deadhead” the flowers.  They won’t thrive as long as the dead flowers are hanging on.  I think this could be a life lesson.  We need to let go of that which no longer works for us in order to grow and thrive.  I’m working on that, but for now, we have to get back to class.  More later – I promise.

A friend posted the following link to my Facebook page: Acclaimed Colombian Institution has 4800 Books and 10 Legs . We talk about outreach, but this goes above and beyond. In short, this tells the story of a rural Colombian teacher who has taken it upon himself to see that his neighbors have access to books. Every weekend he loads his burros with books and travels into the countryside to deliver books to his neighbors.  It’s an amazing story of dedication.  Be careful, though, it might make you feel like a slug.

Being in my third school in 12 months, I’ve had an opportunity that I suspect few of us ever have. I know I wouldn’t VOLUNTARILY have three different jobs in 12 months, but I have learned, and continue to learn, so much that I think all of the stress and anxiety will be worthwhile in the long run. I’m learning what factors really make a difference when it comes to job satisfaction.  The kids are always a large part of the equation, but there are many other factors that make a difference, and money has little to do with it.

I think that the most important thing I’ve learned is how much it means to be valued and appreciated.  This is not to say that previous employers did not value the library, but that value wasn’t always evident.  How many of us go about our daily lives and take the people around us for granted?  I have to admit that I don’t think I ever really expressed to my assistants know how much I appreciated them.  I did give gifts at Christmas and the end of the year and often brought treats, but I rarely, if ever, verbalized my appreciation. How often do we make it a point to recognize a job well done?  Or to just let people know that they have made difference in out lives?  I’m trying to make it a point to do more of that.

Yesterday I was at the grocery store and the clerk was delightfully cheerful and pleasant.  Last year I would have thanked her and gone about my business.  Yesterday I stopped at the customer service desk and made a point to let the manager know that I appreciated the clerk.  When I stopped I could tell they were bracing for a complaint.  To observe the change in expression as I had my say made it all the more worthwhile.  It was obvious that compliments are few and far between for them.  Think of those people who make your life easier or more pleasant.  Those who are often overlooked.  Try complimenting them sometime.  It’s fun. It’s actually kind of a selfish act because it feels so good to make someone else feel good.

I’m into the third week at my new school.  I am loving it, but that’s a post for another day.  Today I have to give kudos to all the brand new teacher librarians out there, especially those who are working without clerks or assistants.  I have all I can do to learn the ins and outs of my school culture.  I only go to lunch every other day (I force myself to be social) I can’t imagine how I’d survive if I didn’t already have an arsenal of lesson plans and classroom management techniques to rely on.

If you’re new to this wonderful field, my hat is off to you. If you’re a veteran, I wish you could experience the invigoration of a totally new assignment.  (without the unpleasantness of being excessed).