"Should"

I spend a lot of my time thinking about things I *should* do. For instance, if I am talking on my cell phone I am thinking "I *should* plug this in and charge it." If I am washing my hands, I am thinking "I *should* fill the soap dispenser." Things like that. I spend a lot of time and brain power thinking of things I *should* do, but often don't.

The other day I thought "maybe I *should* start doing the things that I think I *should* do." I have been trying this out and I started thinking about some interesting ideas. I don't think that many of us do what we know we should. We may talk the talk but not walk the walk.

I was reminded of this today when I was stopped at a red light on my way home from work. A car behind me drew my attention when I noticed the diver making wild gestures with his arms. I looked more closely and he was yelling (and probably swearing) into his cell phone. At first my opinion was that he shouldn't be fighing let alone talking on the phone while on the road. It was then that I noticed the car seat. His young daughter was in the car. How inappropriate to be yelling obscinities into the phone while his young daughter in the car. That poor child! She doesn't deserve to be subjected to that kind of behavior. My point is this; if someone asked that man if he thought it was okay to yell and get that upset in fron of his child, I am sure he would say no. However, he was not doing that which he knew he *should*

Being a student teacher, I am in the position of being watched. I call it the "fishbowl" effect. I am constanly on display for others to watch and judge my actions whether it be my supervisor, mentor teacher, or students. They are watching what I do, when, and how I do it. Any mistake or error is called to my attention immediately, as professors and third graders are not very forgiving.

Knowing that people are watching my behaviors and actions helps me to make my actions follow what I know is right. I am continuously trying to improve myself by doing what I *should*.