For the past 11 years I have been collecting artifacts, memories, stories, pictures, etc in a file I call my "feel good" file. I wish I could give credit to the person who gave me this idea or encouraged me to start mine but I honestly can't remember. If it was you who gave me this idea, Thank You! The premise behind my feel good file is that if times are rough or if something didn't go the way I had planned, I can always go to the file to bring a smile to my face. A card from a co-worker, an email from a fellow principal, a piece of art my own children drew while sitting in my office waiting to go home after school, parent letters of support, and many others are included in this file. However, I have taken a different spin to my "feel good" file. I not only include those things that bring back good memories, but I also include artifacts of times when things might not have been going so well. Why, you might ask, would I include things that weren't positive? The answer comes from the following quote from Gordon B Hinckley: “It's not as bad as you sometimes think it is. It ALL works out. Don't worry. I say that to myself every morning. It will all work out. If you do your best, it all works out. Put your trust in God and move forward..." By including artifacts of the down times, I can remind myself that I have been through though times before and will make it though whatever is placed in front of me now. Many times we can look back and laugh at the incidents which we thought were major at the time. As long as we learn from these experiences we can grow and become better educators and people. Here is a list of my favorites from the "feel good" file:
I would encourage every educator to start a "feel good" file. Regardless of how my day is going, I know I can always open that file up and get a good laugh....or at least a smile!
2 Comments
Ann Feldmann
7/9/2013 12:45:02 pm
Great post! Thanks for sharing. It is always fun to have a "feel good file" as a go to place on a sad day! I enjoyed reading about all your treasures you have in your file. Love the Mr. Meow-inkel! I started a file folder too years ago. It is amazing how the memories come rushing back as you look over the artifacts collected there!
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Kim Tarr
7/14/2013 03:04:32 am
Great idea. Thanks for sharing something that can help all of us to stay positive even when the times get tough.
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