Goal: Always Look Lovely

(Print by Kensie Kate, from luvocracy.com)

Roald Dahl has always been one of my favorite authors. It all started with The BFG in 4th grade. That year there was a school-wide contest to illustrate a scene from a book. Grand prize: Your scene gets painted into a mural in the hallway... on the actual WALL! In a nerdy frenzy I rather un-creatively copied the cover of the book, which shows the Big Friendly Giant holding little Sophie in his hand, and submitted my entry. To my great joy, my illustration was one of those chosen for the mural, and I proudly painted the BFG on my elementary school hallway. (I wonder if that mural is still there?)

Flash forward 20 years to myself teaching 3rd grade. Roald Dahl hasn't lost any of his magic. My students love his humor and British I-couldn't-care-less-about-using-swear-words-in-a-children's-book attitude. During our class author study I read his two autobiographies, Boy and Going Solo, and I fell in love with him all over again. This is a guy who knows how to tell a story.

What does all of this have to do with reseting in Ohio, you ask? Well, I came across the quote above while perusing Pinterest, and it made me realize that, over the years, negative thoughts have started to outnumber the positive ones in my mind. My face must always look hideous with the opposite of sunbeams shining out. Sludge oozing out, I guess.

My biggest weakness? I'm quick to judge. Yes, I admit it. I'm judging 24/7. From stupid drivers to iPhone zombies to that what-in-God's-name-is-she-wearing girl on the metro (Doesn't she own a mirror?). I'm not proud. I'd like to be more accepting! To live and let live. But it's become habit at this point.

Enter Mr. Dahl's quote. This is my new goal - to have thoughts so positive that they shine out of my face! Not just the thoughts about other people and their intentions, but also about myself and the world in general. I think this will improve my mood and make life more enjoyable!

For some of you, this may sound easy. Heck, it probably is easy once you get the hang of it. Or if you're simple-minded........ See! I actually just had that thought. I've gotten into a bad habit, and you know how hard those are to break.

Got any insight or ideas on how to think positively? I think I'm going to buy one of those daily mantra books once I get to Ohio. I need all the help I can get!