Keeping Joy on a Rotating Basis - Positioning Office Bliss to Remain Inspired for the Long, Long Days of Working as an Academic

Each year, before the semester begins, I create a file of photographs that I know will put a smile on my face. These are of colleagues I admire, my family, the boys, scenes I've captured, and reminders of what is most important. I will always have my giant frog. That is a given, but I love kicking off a morning with one of my screens rotating photographs that make me feel good about what I do for a living.

Dr. Beth Boquet, Fairfield University English Colleague and Director of our campus's Writing Center. She is a powerhouse: professional, intelligent, supportive, pro-student, and a master at what she does. I think about the article about the Lost Boys of Sudan when a reporter asked how a young boy could walk so many miles while starving, without a home, and in search of safety. I just focus on the younger boys. I say, if they keep going, I can keep going. Beth keeps me going. 

It's an 8 a.m. start time, and I have I-95 traffic to contend with. I was up late planning for the 2.5 turbo and I'll do what I can do. It feels, at times, as if it is never ending. Still, inspiration is around the corner, especially when we're strategic about placing HOPE at the center of what we're on this Earth to do.

It's been a doozy. Most times I feel frazzled and behind, but when I come into my tiny space on campus, I've set in place happiness photos that keep me on the up-and-up. I will be relieved when the 11 a.m. comes around on the clock, because even if it is another 14-hour day, I am not scrambling to make sure I'm ready for what's on the docket next. The rest of the day offers flexibility for getting the other tasks done, because the teaching will be over for the week.

Here's to all that know exactly what I'm talking about. This post is for you.