3 miles: My principal did a lovely job with professional development this week. In fact, I do believe it was the first time in a long time where the staff came together to talk about the emotional demands of what we do, while also putting into perspective what other teachers have to deal with whilst also thinking about the difficulty in raising children and work-life balance, finding joy in difficult times and then taking our own feelings into account. 

There were certainly some tears, a few triumphant moments and feelings of understanding. There were other teachers who added in perspective about being different places and the challenges faced there as well. Our newest phrase as a faculty seems to be "Put it in a Box." I think many of us constantly hear complaints when there maybe shouldn't be complaints and we feel like venting is going to help. But in the end, it is perspective that keeps us going. And sometimes placing challenges in a box that you know you cannot change is not necessarily giving up-but rather focusing on who or what is most important. 

So the next time you feel the need to complain over something. Perhaps it is best to just "put it in a box." I think in some cases, unleashing stress is warranted. But it may also be helpful to sort your box into what really matters, what I cannot change and what I can do to create happiness and promote a creative heart moving forward.