When you work within a situation, especially a poor one, you tend to not notice how much it can affect you. I've been in my new position for only five days and the difference is amazing. Last night, I did my very last task for my old position at what I will refer to as the "new store". I had agreed to return to teach one last class and I delivered on that promise.

I dreaded the entire situation all day long. I so did not want to be there. While I was teaching the class, I was not having any fun. I got through it but I literally went through the motions. I smiled my way through but being there was not very pleasant. On my way home after class, I realized that I was feeling "light" as I walked away from the new store. I wasn't sure what that feeling was until this morning. You see, I felt so bogged down by the "negative" environment of the new store that I was falling into a sense of dread and doom. Unconsciously, I was becoming the person who I worked for and did not want to be.

This afternoon, a co-worker came over to give me a hug. He had been off for the past four days and he wanted to welcome me back. One of his remarks was that he was so happy to see the smile back on my face. A fellow co-worker said that he was glad to see the smile back too. I took a moment, smiled bigger, and thought, "Yup. I'm happy it's back too." Later.  ¶ 9:57 PM