[blue lips]

the pictures in his mind arose
and began to breathe


-regina spektor



[drops in the bucket]


lately, i've just been feeling down. maybe not even down, but more like, flatlined. not great, not myself, not really much of anything but blah. maybe it's a defense mechanism from all the stress, maybe it's the winter, maybe it's any number of reasons why.

the point is, i've felt dry. used up. just flat.

so when our PD this morning revolved around a response to the book "Drops in the Bucket," i made no correlation whatsoever to my own state of being. instead, i simply kicked back and enjoyed hearing one of my favorite stories.

but really, that story became the theme of the day.

i had a co-worker, one whom i rarely talk to and know very little of, make it a point to email me today, extending support and appreciation for the new program i'm initiating in the school.

i received a great review from the director of special ed and my principal regarding my teaching from the walkthrough the day before...when walkthroughs are notoriously negative and critical.

finally, i went out for drinks with my sped cohorts, and engaged in some very candid, bolstering conversation :) one of the girls i work with was on my interview committee when i was looking for a job this summer, and she said i was by far and away the most dynamic person they had interviewed, and was the school's number one pick.

dynamic. number one. awesome iniative. great engagement.

drip. drip. drip. drip.

just like that, i feel more like myself than i've felt in a long time. just like that, with just a few simple words, i am whole.

it truly is amazing the difference a few words can make.


sometimes all it takes is a couple drops in the bucket to make you feel validated again.


i'm going to stop writing now and fill a few more buckets.


peace.