to be cold in may sucks, but to be appreciated is priceless

what strange weather this is! it's late may, and i'm wearing fleece and sipping hot tea! and i just learned who the next american idol is. well this week, i've been "under the weather"--enough to sideline me from some quality workouts. danskin is in 53 days and i'm far from ready. uh oh! but despite feeling physically lousy, i'm in pretty good spirits--getting an award at work today didn�t hurt my mood one bit! it was a total surprise, which made it even nicer and more invigorating. a colleague had nominated me for it, and my boss had endorsed me! after lunch & a meeting, i found a framed certificate, a nomination form w/ colleague comments about me, and a letter of employee recognition waiting for me on my desk: (excerpt):

"As someone with 15+ years in the profession, I've been highly impressed with Emeraldtiger's level of knowledge, professionalism, and her comprehensive approach�while also being upbeat, caring and genuine in her concern for her clients' welfare�I can't say enough about Emeraldtiger's thoughtfulness, kindness, and generosity of spirit�she went out of her way to ensure I had the information and tools needed to provide a seamless transition for the clients on her caseload�It is a delight to work with someone who tries to puzzle out the nuances of individual client cases to determine the best (solutions), and who is a great resource of information�"

"You have been an inspiration to those who work with you, and this award reflects our appreciation for your service, dedication and accomplishment".

the recognition couldn't have been better timed, b/c i sometimes fall into ruts where the idealism i originally brought to my job/profession dissolves, and i forget the larger meaning of my work. my work is intense, and though stimulating, it can be draining at times. a while ago, i was set on returning to school this fall for a doctorate. but my recent caseload shift, plus the impact of taking time-out from work a few years ago, made me realize i simply needed more time here before taking another step. i needed additional time to grow and keep building/solidifying my professional experience and practice base (regardless of what path i embark on from here). i'm currently torn over the "right" next path. i recently visited one of my favorite & trusted former grad school professors for consultation about my decision. his input was helpful.

ANYWAY, my main point is that today's award counteracted some negative thoughts by renewing me and making me feel valued and appreciated at work. and that's priceless!

now, i'm back to crocheting. it's bedtime soon, so more later.