While recording attendance for last week’s seminar, I paused to read the name and recall the face of the student if I knew them, attempting to gain a better recognition for when I see the students in my office, in the hallways, or even off campus. I took note if I had any preconceived notions of a particular student. For example, a few students I associate as being unpleasant. I would stop to reflect on why I considered the student unpleasant, thinking in the context of the encounters with the students. I found that I associated some students as much more pleasant to recall than others and also reflected on why I have that preconceived notion. It was a great exercise in mindfulness, and I also took a moment to realize that I was projecting certain annoyances onto several students. In the future, I will definitely be making an effort to separate people from situations as best as possible.
Good luck with that. I have a patient who thought it would be really cute at 9am to come into the office clapping and being all loud to perk me up. Perk me up? Try piss me off! I like easing into my day. Apparently he didn’t know that old people are supposed to be seen and not heard.
Repeat after me until you believe. I love my job. I love my life. I love my job. I love my life. See?