Day Five: Provide Encourgement

After a long two weeks of assignments, tests, and project due dates I was able to take time to return work to students. It was the last class of the day before the last month of school today as the two students passed out mounds of graded work. The students eagerly surveyed their work and the grades they had received. Among the chaos, I happened to hear one student say aloud, "Im so proud of myself." All of the papers she had returned to her were marked with positive comments and smily faces. I realized on this hectic spring afternoon, that these kids need and thrive on my feedback. Sometimes I forget that they need this positive reinforcement, and today I made one deserving student feel proud. And that is why I do it. Everyone likes a smily face when they did a good job. :)

Day Four: Meet a dear friend for dinner

The day ended with a dinner with a dear friend, Jennifer. For two hours, we sat uninterrupted by children, phones, deadlines, or chores; only a rather relentless quirky waiter provided a small nuisance. It was a rare treat to eat my dinner, enjoy my glass of wine and then sit an extra hour reminding each other how simply great we are. We made plans to do it again soon (sans kids) but "knowing how way leads on to way" I will not make the necessary arrangements just yet. Spending quality time with friends is as essential to well being as daily exercise and flannel pajamas.

Day Three: Send a card in the mail

Having to return to work, made seeking personal growth and enlightenment a little more difficult. Awareness and reflection were hardly possible in the midst of the unceasing demands of 115 teenagers. I was, however,  able to send a few Hallmark cards in the mail to a few deserving people. One of my goals is to raise my red  mail flag at least once a week. Everyone likes to get a letter or card in their mailbox.
At the end of the day, I read a 1987 edition of National Geographic and made a mental note to learn more about Josephine Baker and Colette (both in Paris).
363 more things to do before my next birthday. With work and our weekend plans, I dont thnk I will be riding the mechanical bull before the month ends. But the cards are in the mail!

Day Two: Visit the Library

I wasn't really sure which task I would complete today although I was quite sure I wouldn't be riding in a hot air balloon or attending a play. After spending the morning doing some perfunctory chores that included grading papers and folding towels, I left the house uncertain of what the day would bring. Walking through the parking lot at Wal Mart I was keenly aware of those around me and what they were doing.  Does anyone need my help? Is there a stranger I can hug? Is there a need  present? Maybe I can just smile at everyone. Walking into the store, I was distracted by the Easter Lillies. Should I purchase these flowers? Should I deliver them to the nursing home? What about this magazine on rural living. Or maybe I should by  crayons and go home to color. My simple trip to return some curtains at Wal Mart had turned into a daunting quest for fulfillment and enlightenment. How's this going to work I wondered. At my next stop I purchased some practical, reasonable, comfortable, and most benign shoes I have ever bought. Certainly I can use this tool for my journey ahead. Nevertheless, I next found myself in the library and knew  my day was complete. I collected a variety of books to assist me in the next few weeks. Several of which were had the words "for Dummies" in the title. However, if time allows I will soon be an expert on vegan Asian cooking, technical math, blogging, and Caribbean jerk chicken. And as an added bonus I picked up a brochure for a historical fiction book club that meets monthly. I see early on that I have to let the day unfold and open myself up to its unique experiences. Rather than have the list dictate my day, my day will dictate the list. And all I have to do is be very open to it all.

Day One: Create a blog

Today starts my year long journey to rediscover and reconnect with the joys of life. Not to suggest, I have become disconnected with the many gifts each day brings, moreover, I wanted to make a deliberate effort to record my daily adventures  while challenging  myself to  dive deeper. I created a list of 365 things to do that will serve as a daily guide. From milking a cow to volunteering, each day I will strive to complete something from the list. This is a list that will help me grow spiritually and emotionally. We are all works in progress and before my next birthday I hope to teach myself to slow down, take chances, give generously, and take notice.
With this first entry, I begin my journey.

Part of my team