Mental Health Days

It's a term that people throw around in jest at the bar or coffee house. I took a "Mental Health Day" basically means that you played hookie- skipped out on something you were responsible for whether that meant you stayed home from work, school or dropped the kids off at your Mom's for a while. They're seldom taken seriously , generally laughed about like you used to laugh about cutting your Math class in high school- something forbidden but not detrimental. However, I seem to be from an entirely different camp when I utilize the term Mental Health Day. Not only are they crucial to my sanity, identity and over-all well being but they are essential and must be taken regularly in order for me to be an effective, productive human being.

So, this week I waded through a pile of 107 midterms all with 3 essays each to grade, I survived a new driver drilling into the back of my car without injuring him and all the while wondering why my head has not ceased pounding, my heart not back to a normal rhythm and I can't think clearly. Then, it occurred to me. I have yet to take a Mental Health Day. I have not had a day to recuperate. To gather my thoughts. To spend hours in prayer. To bake something sweet smelling all day. To read a book. To not have to think about jerky kids and pse&g bills and oil changes.

I've denied myself too long. The time has come. I won't say when, but it's coming up soon. In order for me to do what I need to do best, a Mental Health Day is in order. I encourage you to embrace your need for a mental health day. It's not a cop out, nor is it being lazy. It is totally and completely necessary.

Freedom Righters

I just read Freedom Writers. You know that book about that crazy teacher who taught delinquent kids in South Beach? She worked three jobs to purchase books for her students that she couldn't get funding for. Honestly, I hated the book and I harbored bad thoughts about Ms. Gruwell simply because she made me feel like the worst teacher alive. I struggle with spending ten bucks on Halloween candy for the ungrateful little imps- you wouldn't catch me dolling out a couple hundred for books that I know they're not going to read. Not to say that I don't have some kids who wouldn't read it. Or that I hate my kids- I'm not that awful kinda-teacher who makes you wonder if they were aware the profession involved interacting with children before they took the position. This women sold her soul to keep these kids afloat, and admirable though it was I can't help but wonder if she had any friends. Was she terribly surprised when her marriage feel apart? Balance is one of the hardest things about teaching, I think, and though she apparently has gotten quite a bit of publicity, I don't think she did it very well.