DAY TWELVE

I kept joking today that I was on a twelve step program, those steps being the twelve days I must face in order to be treated to our next break, Martin Luther King Jr. day on January 17th. And I was joking, really, as going back to work today was fine, and necessary, and even a bit fun. I got to chat with people I hadn't in too long, my students were good, we got some work accomplished, and all in all it was a pretty good day, but still, we can't deny that we are so conditioned. Much like my dumb black lab, who will sit for an eternity like a prize show dog if there is even a hint of a treat in the vicinity, we, as human beings can't deny that we find our way through life with "treats" as well. We work and are rewarded with a pay day here and there. We work and are rewarded with a vacation day, a blessed week off, or, if we are lucky enough to be in education, with the beautiful expanse that is summer vacation. And that is just within the relm of the work world. We all "treat" ourselves to get through life as well. A particularly difficult week might "deserve" a grocery store arrangement of flowers. In facing a long day, we might create a mantra in our head "Bath Tonight, Bath Tonight," and in so doing, Calgon will help to take us away. Each step along the way, life is lived, accomplishments happen, good work is done, there is job satisfaction, but really, face it, we're working for the treat. So, 1 down, 11 to go, I will keep my mind on my mantra and my mantra on my mind.