As I was sitting through a very long faculty meeting today, I was trying to decide if I would ever want to become a classroom teacher. I know several music majors that went back to school and got other degrees to be grade level teachers. Would I ever want to do that? The answer came to me in a flash after having sat through an hour of instruction on shared and guided reading. NO! I often wondered if I was making the right decision when I went to college. I enjoyed and had success in several fields and it was hard making the choice to pursue music. But after 9 years out of college and several jobs later, I can safely say that I am glad I chose music. I am not saying this to belittle teachers at all. I feel like the best choice for me and me only was to teach music. I had a second grader ask me last week why I like music. It was such an innocent little question but it had a very profound answer that I am sure that little 8 year old couldn't comprehend. The basic answer that I told him was that it makes me feel good. The more complex answer is that it makes me feel good. But I can't put into words all that music does for me, the joy, the sorrow, the happiness that it expresses and also all that it does not express. Let's just say today I got confirmation from God that I was on the right path.
On that note, I felt today that not everyone where I work is as happy with their choice as I am. I realize that there are obstacles that we face everyday and that teaching is a tough job but sometimes I wish that people wouldn't complain so much about it. There are people out there who I just can't even be around any more because of their negativity. I have had many jobs, more than I care to admit to. Some of those jobs were horrid (not enough money, nasty co-workers, terrible job duties, etc...) and you know what I did? I found a different job. I know that's a real radical idea but I chose to make my life a more pleasant place to be everyday. At some point I just start to feel very sorry for those people. At our church tonight a woman in the choir gave a very touching devotional. She was almost crying as she spoke about her personal relationship with God. It turns out that she lost her 13 year old son about a year ago and yet she was a happy person. As she was speaking you could actually she joy in her heart. That's the power of Jesus Christ. Maybe that's what's missing from these angry negative people where I work, maybe they need the power of Jesus Christ, maybe they need a church, maybe they need a friend, maybe they need to find a different job. Whatever the reason, they are not happy and I do feel sorry for them.
My life is so blessed right now. I have warm fuzzy cats that make me feel good when I come home. I have a beautiful house that we have not lost to foreclosure. I have two jobs that I love (there's more to me than being a teacher-I'll explain later). I have a husband who is my best friend. And most importantly, I have the peace that passes all understanding in my heart.
Have a blessed evening and thanks for reading my 4th blog.
PS. I found out that the spider who almost killed me was a wolf spider. They are the natural predators to the brown recluse. The wolf spider is not poisonous but the brown recluse is. Figures that the good one is the one that got stomped. I am buying spider spray tomorrow.
My life is so blessed right now. I have warm fuzzy cats that make me feel good when I come home. I have a beautiful house that we have not lost to foreclosure. I have two jobs that I love (there's more to me than being a teacher-I'll explain later). I have a husband who is my best friend. And most importantly, I have the peace that passes all understanding in my heart.
Have a blessed evening and thanks for reading my 4th blog.
PS. I found out that the spider who almost killed me was a wolf spider. They are the natural predators to the brown recluse. The wolf spider is not poisonous but the brown recluse is. Figures that the good one is the one that got stomped. I am buying spider spray tomorrow.
So Music Barr,
ReplyDeleteI happen to know for a fact that you are incredible at your job and I thank God when I see you interact with students that you are there. Let me say as one of those regular education classroom teachers that I feel about reading and teaching reading, the same way that you feel about music. It makes me feel good, really good. I too feel weary when all I hear from co-workers is complaining, but as I was reminded in Bible study this week, God gave us the passion in our hearts for a reason. I just wish some other people would discover their passion and get on with a more fulfilling use of their time. I hope you have a blessed night and thanks for blogging. :-)