Mindfulness

I became a teacher for many reasons, but the main driving reason for why I became a teacher was because I was a miserable student. School was not my safe spot. I preferred my friends in my neighborhood and talking with my older cousins. I struggled with math and I struggled to pay attention in class. I would rather run with my daydreams which for a long time was thought to be a hearing problem, so I was given a million hearing tests. I joked with my mother that all I remember from Elementary School was hearing tests and multiplication cards. I despised the way I felt and I often adapted in maybe not so healthy ways. I wanted to be an educator to maybe change some things and have an opportunity to work with those goofball kids who have all the potential in the world, but seem to limit themselves. These experiences have made me a fighter, but for longer than I care to admit it put a chip on my shoulder. I was constantly on the defense. So the last couple of weeks I have been thinking a

Months ago or maybe a month ago, time is blurring all together, I asked what the difference was between happiness and fulfillment. Many of the answers matched my thinking. So before I get to my thoughts on the matter let us start with differentiating between the two concepts. The difference between fulfillment and happiness is simply one of depth and time. The best way to explain this difference is with food. Happiness is like eating your guilty pleasure food like candy or a greasy burger from your favorite fast food joint. While you eat you feel euphoric and satisfied, but it is not the type of nutrition that your body can use efficiently. Fulfillment is like a well-balanced meal that makes your body feel powerful and can help you run more efficiently, because your body is getting all the elements it needs. Happiness are moments. I felt happy when I was with my friends in a pub talking with foreign strangers. I felt happy when I got my first permanent teaching job. Happiness did n