Thursday with blue skies....

Today was one of those rare perfect days. Gorgeous weather, happy exchanges with friends and family, great yoga class taught. Perfect.

I'm finishing the giant haul of Read Naturally training (an intensive reading program) at Izzy's school this week. I've spent 19 hours in the school working on the program and getting the volunteers trained and ready. Big sigh of relief that I'm almost done. Then I just continue working 8 hours a week instead. Much better. Have I mentioned that this is a volunteer position? I must be spending too much time at school as two teachers today mentioned that I should apply to be on the payroll. :-0

My yoga class today was a joy. I was in the zone and it felt great. I had a student come up to me after class and tell me that I helped her feel so much happier than she had when she arrived in class. She gave me a giant hug and said "thank you". I can't imagine achieving ANYTHING better than that. Not to mention getting paid to do it!

So my day was fruitful and light. I hope you have the same.


Jan

Friday in Hood River

Izzy had the day off of school today for parent/teacher conferences so we went with my mom and dad to Hood River for the Harvest Festival today. It was beautiful, fun, and refreshing. Just what the doctor ordered. The more time I spend in natural settings, the happier I am. Simply taking a different route to work that takes me through a small copse of trees is enough to bring a smile to my face.

On a more prosaic note, Izzy's conference with her teacher went well and she is having a great year. She loves school and is making good friends. What more could we ask for? Okay, winning the lottery WOULD be nice!

Hope you are finding yourself surrounded by satisfaction and joy as well,

Jan

Just Thursday

Sitting in my car listening to kids chattering, music playing, heart pumping... but is it an uplifted joyful kind of listening or an overstressed, "had it up to here" kind of listening? The choice is mine. I can take any circumstance and choose to react with either loving-kindness or angry rejection. This back and forth can happen for me in the blink of the eye. I have certainly bounced lately from deeply felt contentment to fiery rejection within a few hours. I notice it especially after a session teaching yoga in which I come close to connecting the dots for my students but just miss by a few steps. I become frustrated after a session that has many elements that are well-crafted, but somehow doesn't "do the job". I know I shouldn't expect perfection, but it still frustrates me that even one student might leave my class unmoved by my efforts. My mind tells me to let go of ego and accept my humanness, but the larger ego gets in the way and demands more. And so the joy in teaching turns to frustration and disappointment. And then another day passes, another class is taught with more skill and intuition, and the crisis passes. Life goes on .... breathe in... breathe out... repeat. I still choose to breathe in more joy than disappointment and I hope you do too.

Namaste,

Jan

Lazy lazy lazy...

Laziness in tandem with spurts of wild activity these last two weeks has led to the slowdown of my blogging. I'm back today and I will make every attempt to continue to post at least once a week, but you know, I'm a very sluggish sort.

Izzy has been finding magical creatures all over the house. Gnomes, fairies, and even a small Yom Kippur Koala have made recent visits. They leave magical stones and sometimes even messages. She is entranced by the magic as are many of her 3rd and 4th grade friends. They call and email about the things they are finding in their own backyards and playgrounds. One even called to say she found a gnomestone in her shoes... who could imagine?

The real magic to me is that in such a cynical world, children who no longer believe in Santa or even the tooth fairy are so eager to embrace a magical gnome who visits and leaves pieces of "glass" money for them to collect and share. I don't know who gets more out of the whole game, Izzy and her friends or the adults who are accomplices. I do know that having a nine year old who still believes in magical creatures keeps me younger and happier as well.

Hope this finds you looking at your world with a little more wonder and a lot less stress,

Jan