Hey, life? Are you kidding me?

Honest Abe Says:

30-Day blogging challenge Day 5: July 5, 2011 ~ Prompt: When I Do Good – “When I do good, I feel good. When I do bad, I feel bad. That's my religion. Abraham Lincoln”

Boy, that Lincoln guy knew what he was talking about. This reminds me of a "Seinfeld" episode where, I think it was Chandler, and Phoebe had a bet that she couldn't do an unselfish act, because when you do something good you get something back even if it's just a good feeling about yourself.

I teach middle school, and as I'm sure you all know, teenage girls can be brutal. Not all, of course - there are some who still maintain a sweet persona. But those mean ones -- Man, they make me happy to be 42. When they are in the midst of yet another "drama" which consists of verbal attacks and social manipulation, I try to get them to examine how it makes them feel about themselves. I remember my mother always trying to comfort me as a teen, explaining they say mean things because they are jealous or want to feel better about themselves. I just took what she said as truth . . . She's my mother. But in retrospect, I wonder where that theory comes from. Now, I do understand that adolescents' brains are not yet at the point of looking past the conflict to see the reasoning. But who puts in our mind that meanness makes us feel better about ourselves?

One more thought on this: I am currently dating someone (Yea, I know -- I'm shocked too). He asked me the other night what was one thing I liked about him. Without even thinking I said, "Something about you makes me want to be a better person." (Not that I'm a bad one - but hey, I'm not at perfection, yet).

I think maybe that's a good test to see if you are in a healthy relationship. Does the relationship make you feel good or bad about yourself? It doesn't just have to be romantic. For instance, I have a family member that I recently decided I couldn't have in my life right now. It wasn't an easy decision. But, I realized having this person in my life was creating negative effects in every area. And it's not something I can handle, at least right now.

Well, that was a downer.

Do a random good deed today - for yourself! I think I'll review someone.

Peace, love, and laugh

Audra