Wednesday 21 March 2012

Happiness

I went to a lecture recently, given by Jung Chang, author of "Wild Swans". (Whenever I think of that book I get residual feelings of guilt because it was a real distraction when I should have been revising for my A-Levels, many years ago.) The subject of the lecture was "Happiness" and Jung Chang's central premise was that happiness is brought about by fulfillment, found through work. I agree that work that you love, work that you consider meaningful, is hugely important. If it pays you a living wage all the better. Is it the key to being happy though? Not for me. For me, happiness is about having people to love and people who love you. And beyond that? It's the little things that make me happy. Like the sun shining. And eating almond brioche for breakfast. And pretty vintage plates.

Saturday 10 March 2012

Before and After

Life - 48 hours pre-Ofsted inspection.
Work. Work. More work. Mounting panic at how much work there is left to do. Work. Tears (Beautiful Girl's). Tears (mine). Work. Dinner (3 cups of tea and a stale doughnut from the bag in the staffroom). Work. Work. Tears (mine again). Work. Work. Work. Increased panic, edged with hysteria. Work. More work. Can't sleep - 3 a.m. - get up to work.

Life - 48 hours post-Ofsted inspection.
Cuddles. Kisses. Crochet. Dinner (smoked mackerel dauphinoise and green beans). Lavender scented bath. "Upstairs Downstairs" on iplayer. Sleep...blessed sleep....