January 19, 2016

* Three gratitudes: 1.—Colleagues who have my back; 2.—Online grades; 3.—A Creative Non-Fiction magazine delivered to my door
* Exercise:
* Meditation: Said a rosary for teachers
* Random Act of Kindness email: Complete
* Journal about one positive experience in the past 24 hours: 

People wonder why I post so much about the Friendly Coffee Lounge.  I wrote a blog piece back in November to explain its importance to me, but today I'll elaborate.  This place has become my creative space, and one can only say that if there's a home-away-from-home feel and if there are people around with whom you share a genuine affection. I think I show my "affection" on this website, through my words, but it's the staff that shows it in everyday actions.  I had hardly slept the night before, and I hadn't eaten, either.  So when the alarm clock went off at 5:00, I was slow to get ready and not in the best of spirits. In addition to my 7:00 a.m. cup of coffee, I added a muffin to the bill, knowing full well that I wouldn't have a break until noon.  Call it habit, but I walked out with the cup in my hand and drove off.  No muffin.  On any other day, I wouldn't even think about it.  But have you ever had a ridiculous thing occupy your mind?  I was actually ticked off at myself for leaving behind my treat.  I thought about it.  When I realized a mistake I had made at school, I remembered the mistake I made that morning.  When my stomach growled in the middle of a silent final exam, I recalled the reason it was growling.  Between classes I took out my phone to check emails.  There was a message from the Friendly owner saying that they'd hold my muffin for me.  Then there was a text from the Friendly barista saying that my muffin was in the office.  They are awesome, I thought.  Since when does the Friendly have an office?  Their kindness over something as minor as a forgotten muffin was enough for me to laugh off my irrational state and get on with my next class.  At noon, I went to my faculty mailbox.  There, in a white bag with my name on it, was my muffin.  The secretary told me a woman dropped it off at the school office.  You're the best, Debbie!

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