Let me begin by saying that what I am about to describe may not work for you.

Now, today I had a bad day. And not just any bad day, oh no, this was a horrible, no good, very bad day, an 'I lived up to my blonde hair color' day.

I started out by forgetting some very important papers at home. (Can't have an exam without say...the exam!) I got all the way to school and clocked in, only to clock out and go get the papers. So when I get back my kids are... rowdy, rambunctious, destructive (I could go on, but all that would get a work out would be the thesaurus). And that's to say the least. So I get them all calmed down taking the exams and I am working out grades for report cards. And the principal calls me out to talk about end of the school awards (perfect attendance, character, etc.). I come back into chaos.

After school is over, the principal calls me into his office to discuss why I do not have better control over my kids. *sigh* I tried to explain to him that was simply because they were out of my supervision for a moment. You know, "when the cat's away, the mice will play." Needless to say, he was not amused or impressed. I am currently wondering if my contract will be renewed. (This is not my first offense. I caught a student cheating off another. And... it's just a host of little problems that maybe I'm not the best..."fit" for the school.) (I may just be too close to their age for me to teach, according to him.) Great. So, if I wasn't looking for a job before, I certainly am now.

Oh, and my ex-boyfriend won't leave me alone. (Lying, cheating little heel who has anger management issues!)

So I go home depressed. And eat half a half-gallon of cookie dough ice cream. Great, now, I've got image issues too. Wonderful!
So when you've had a bad day like mine, how do you deal with it? I tried the "drown it in ice cream." Failure. I've tried "Distract yourself." Abject failure.
And now, I just had one of my best friends text me something really sweet. All it made me want to do is cry.

But here is what worked: I opened my Bible to the book of Psalms. Psalm 56, to be exact. This was written by David as he was running away from Saul (who was trying to kill him) and the Philistines (the enemies of his entire nation who wanted him dead). Now, have I had it as bad as David? Umm... that would be a no. If God was in control then, isn't He now? If He managed David's rather large issue, can't He handle my piddly little complaints?

As I said, this may not work for everyone, but it sure is working for me!

Having been an art student raised by an art student, I have seen my share of paintings. When I was young, my mom would pull out her art history books and show me all these different paintings. And as I grew older, my favorite painting changed. At first, it was Renoir's "Girls at the Piano." Then, it became van Gogh's "Starry Night." And while that one remains a favorite, I believe I prefer Monet's "Japanese Footbridge."

When I look at the painting, I feel peaceful. I am left with a sense of calm and wonder. And that's why I prefer Impressionists over the abstract. Abstract disturbs, but Impressionism quells the chaos.

   

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