Sometimes You're the Windshield.

This song basically sums up what I'm going to ramble about today. What I like most about this version is that it is just some guy. In his house. With tacky/possibly disturbing decorations.

This post is just me analyzing the history of my newest mental obsession. Analyzing an analysis. Virgo much? haa. Where was I?
Oh, this particular mental obsession began in a moment when I totally accepted that it was true. Life absolutely moves in ups and downs.  My truth spot realized that no matter how happy I was in a given moment (and in that moment, I was very happy), the other shoe would surely drop.  As that truth resonated, my heart began to tighten. I felt fear, clinging, sorrow, grief.  I realized that I was mourning the loss of my happy moment....and I wasn't even unhappy yet! 
What?!?! Oh NO.
I decided that I don't want to spend any of my happiness on this yet to be determined misfortune. As I remunated and stewed, the ups and downs began to look to me like the change of seasons.  

Follow me for a moment. Personally, I prefer Spring and Fall, but I understand that I will also experience Winter and Summer.  That is inevitable.  I am not upset by that. I can't control the seasons, and that's ok. Why should I be bothered by the fact that I can't control ups and downs? They will come. Like Winter.  Now, I do acknowledge that most of the downslopes in life are more unpleasant than getting up in the dark, or sweating.  Yet really, the idea is the same. Understanding my relationship with seasons helped me to understand how to better handle my ups and downs.  In the midst of Winter or Summer, I accept discomfort, because I know that it isn't going to be over for a while, and it isn't going to be forever. I dress appropriately, and forge on. Then, as these seasons come to a close, I become more impatient, more uncomfortable, more unhappy. Enter Spring and Fall, my enjoyment is at its peak.  Yet, somewhere in the midst of those seasons, I forget to be grateful for them. As they draw to a close, I begin to miss them and wish they would stay forever.
So, I guess the goal then is to find acceptance at the depth of a negative experience, try to extend it through the times when the anxiousness sets in. Then really be present in the best moments, remembering those moments are all the sweeter for their impermenance.

Wow. how simple. (sarcasm font)

Meh, I will see how it goes.
Hopefully, when the other shoe drops,
I will just wiggle my toes.

Seuss Inspired Stanzas.

I make it a habit of subjecting my students to surprise activities based on my mood, or random bits of inspiration that strike me in the shower.  This morning was no different. In order to celebrate the birth of one of my favorite authors, I dug out my "Oh, The Places You'll Go" and my copy of "Sneetches", and hustled off to school.
In my History classes, it just so happened that we are finishing our study of the Holocaust and I had just enough foresight to save my lesson where we examine some of Dr. Seuss's political cartoons, published during WWII.  The kids always think it is so cool to see one of their favorite childhood authors reflected in the content we are studying. They find it fascinating that he did not begin his career with Cat in the Hat.
Then I read them Sneetches.  If you haven't had this experience, and you are a teacher, let me recommend to you that you read picture books aloud to your students, regardless of their age. While it may sound antithetical to 16 year olds, I promise you, THEY LOVE IT.  They smile, laugh, and respond as their five year old counterparts would. Their heads follow the book around the room, straining to see the vibrant pictures.

Theodor Geisel improved the day
and made a hundred people smile away.
(most assuredly more,
but that's all I can account for)

In my eighth grade English class, we discussed the various morals in the Dr. Seuss books that they were familiar with, and I proceeded to read them my two favorite stories (lest we forget it is all about me.)  While reading about Bixby and Bray, I decided I wanted them to try to create a short "Seuss Inspired Stanza". 
The guidelines were: it had to have a moral, it had to rhyme, and it had to include a few silly words, or sounds. The students asked if they could work in small groups, I agreed, and they were off. They were given only 15 minutes to complete the activity, and I think they rocked it!
Here are a few examples of their fabulocity...

Little Sally Doodledoo
told someone something that wasn't true
she told them about her five thousand shoes.
It went around the entire school,who knew it wasn't true,
because it was told by Little Sally Doodledoo.
It was a harmless story,
so she started talking about Lori,
who was hanging out with Torry,
that made Hillary mad
and then the whole story went bad.
Never tell a lie for what it might do,
just remember Little Sally Doodledoo,
and how she learned a thing or two.
~Kyle and Luisa

Lullest was a small door mouse
who lived in a small house
with a rock name Shameal
which obviously was not real
He talked with the rock everyday of his life
until he got bored with this eternal life.
He decided to leave his small house
to find a new friend, maybe a mouse.
As he stepped outside
he suddenly died.
SO live you life to the fullest
cuz you don't want to end up like Lullest.
~Lauren

One day I was walking and saw a giraffe
who wore such a sweater it would make one laugh
I'm quite fond of giraffes wearing sweaters
and also walruses that live in the Nethers
It's funny that walruses have nothing to do
with the story, so I'll talk about glue
it's sticky and useful and sometimes wasted
you use it for glueing and sometimes it's tasted.
~Jake and Terren
um, the moral of that one is completely unclear...but, it made me laugh.