As a new school year approaches, it is strange to think that, for the first time in 17 years, I will not have a classroom full of students. This has caused me to reminisce about my teaching career, and some little moments have made their way into my thoughts.
One of my absolute favorite memories happened during “Good Things.” On this particular Monday, we were sharing the little things that make you smile. Anyone who knows me at all knows that there are three seemingly insignificant things that always make me smile—dark chocolate, pumpkins (of any shape, size, or color), and Hello Kitty.
A little sidetrack for a cute story….
One afternoon, the teacher over the newspaper class came to me, a bit of concern in her eyes, and said the kids wanted to put this clue in the next edition of the paper, “What is Profe Lytle obsessed with?” I smiled and chuckled, “Hello Kitty!” A bit of shock shown in her eyes and she exclaimed, “That’s what they said!” She continued, “So, it’s okay if we print this?!” I grinned and said, “Well, I’m not sure I’m obsessed exactly, but I do love Hello Kitty. So, of course you can print it!”
Now, back to the little things….
Once we had established that everyone knew what made me smile, every kiddo got to share a little thing that made them smile. And then, this happened….
A young lady raised her hand and said that she loved sponges—sponges of all different shapes and sizes and colors. She said she had an entire drawer full of sponges at home because sponges always make her smile.
Now, I think it is absolutely incredible that a high school student was brave enough to raise her hand and tell her classmates that sponges make her smile. I will never forget that moment! In fact, even as I type this, I am smiling at the memory. ?
I will never forget that “Good Things” Monday when I discovered the power of a sponge. Such a simple little thing, but it has the ability to bring joy if you let it….
The Power of Little
Yes, little things can be so powerful. And we must remember that when we are struggling with big issues. The little things are what helped bring me out of a pit of despair as I struggled through infertility and accepting a childless life. Once I started focusing on the little bright sides of infertility, I was able to find joy in the what is.
Fabulous one, I encourage you to find that little thing that has the power to make you smile. Cling to it, if you must, and allow it to help you find the joy…
So, what little thing makes you smile?! Tell us about it in the comments!
For more smiles, keep reading “Good Things.”
Subscribe to my email and get “Good Things” straight to your inbox!
Photo Credit: Jocelyn Maloney of StockSnap.io
2 comments
It definitely made me smile as well. I’ll always see sponges in a different way.
Isn’t it awesome how something so ordinary can still bring joy?!