#3GoodThings – #60

(Written Tuesday, March 19, 2019)

“The more we perform a particular action, the more connections form between the corresponding neurons [in our brain]. That means that we have the power to creat new habits and then reap the benefits, whether we’re 22 or 72.”

(Shawn Achor, The Happiness Advantage, p. 149-150)

Today I find myself a bit surprised to be here, 60 days later. Initially, I wasn’t expecting to carry on past the initial 30 days, (and I hope you’re not bored) but here we are. I’m trying to change a default that’s well engrained.

Let me tell you about..

Today’s #3GoodThings

Today started out similarly to yesterday… driving to Angers, but today’s drive began later in the morning as I only teach in the afternoon. On the Thuré side of the firs small ridge I cross… a large cloud formation was low in the sky and the sun was shining brightly. On the other side of the ridge however, a beautiful land mist hovered low over the as yet unplanted fields (see photo below).
Part-way into my second class, I was full-out fighting negativity: Out of 17 students in the class (a self-directed lab for TOEFEL prep – a standardized English proficiency test), only two were actually working on TOEFEL – the rest were working on other assignments. After a classe like that, I’m extra thankful for the free coffee in the teachers’ lounge! (make it a TRIPLE please! 🙂 )
On a more serious note, but still a GoodThing related to that class, it pushed me to be very direct with the following class, right from the outset. I’m typically not overly direct (to a fault) but it paid its dividends. That third class worked diligently even though it was the last class of the day (4:30 – 6:00pm). I was grateful that a little bit of assertion went a long way.