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​ Yesterday I was settled into my bedroom reading corner when I caught sight of the bed. An urge to toss my book aside, leap up, and straighten the bedding engulfed me; how could I focus on reading in the face of such misalignment?  ​

Sometimes joy unexpectedly explodes from my heart.

While observing intern teachers practicing their craft this week, I felt tingles of excitement like I'd felt in my own novice teaching days.  Interns' enthusiasm for connecting with their students, mingled with anxieties about being evaluated and strong desires to improve their instructional effectiveness, were palpable. I see my younger self in them, but they see in me a source of professional wisdom. I'm awed. And thrilled. Passing on lessons learned from my experience may inspire students I'll never meet!

Recently I've grown closer to a woman I've known for some years.  The catalyst was confronting life situations neither of us chose, but in encouraging and supporting each other,  we've become emotionally and spiritually stronger.  Yesterday she felt the elation of victory; I'm celebrating as if it were mine!
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Perhaps the secret to tasting joy's sweet elixir is in the sharing.

We recently spent two hours watching Super Bowl's Greatest Commercials. In between the show's featured ads and inane commentary were advertisements from sponsors who'd paid for time to run their own commercials during the program about commercials.

I'm embarrassed to admit I enjoyed it. Yes, the pointless, obviously scripted dialogue between the two hosts was irritating. Yes, the "tour" of San Francisco did a poor job showcasing that city's many attractions. And honestly, I didn't "get" some of the ads. But the ones that made me laugh ("Here, Wego!") or tugged at my heart strings ("Mean Joe") were worth the viewing - and the re-viewing. Budweiser clearly reigns supreme in creating classics; their canine and equine stars simultaneously instigate smiles and tears.

My football knowledge won't fill a beer stein; however, on Sunday I'll join the legions watching the big game. I'll be rooting for the commercials.