Lots of goodness to breath in.
Friday, March 20, 2015
Wednesday, March 11, 2015
Some thoughts.
I may be slightly manic right now. I feel like mania is my only explanation for feeling like there is a light, or warmth, or just plain happiness radiating from my chest. Pure mania.
Or maybe it's that the sun is shining in that Spring brightness way and I got a glimpse of leaf buds fighting their way from their branches yesterday.
Perhaps it's that the Husband and I had a conversation about loving our dog crazily and unconditionally and that was freeing considering I usually think I'm just spoiling him into some unrealistic form of life.
Most likely it's attributable to the brain bending conversations I have had with a couple dear friends about changing my state of mind, trying to follow some of the criteria in this 21 Days of Happiness log, and just generally letting things be. Let it be, let it be, let it be.
I guess I don't really care about the reason. I'm just overjoyed that the school assignments aren't weighing me down, that sorting through my closet for spring gets me a little too excited, and that life is swinging to and fro, and I get to live it.
I volunteer and observe in five classrooms at four schools throughout the week. I think that adds up to hanging around with over 120 kiddos. And in my classroom experiences now and previously, there are always those few students that tug at my heartstrings in subtle ways. Don't get me wrong, they all do, but there are a few that I seem to understand a little bit better than others. I love the differences each bring to assignments, the way one science experiment can be traditional for one student, and a lesson in the lotion-water plants create on Mars for another. I can't make this stuff up. And I love that.
Maybe what I'm trying to get at is I, for this brief moment, am realizing that I don't have to go searching for happiness, I can find it right here. It's a philosophical and constant practice, yes, but it's possible.
To the hunt,
Jo
Or maybe it's that the sun is shining in that Spring brightness way and I got a glimpse of leaf buds fighting their way from their branches yesterday.
Perhaps it's that the Husband and I had a conversation about loving our dog crazily and unconditionally and that was freeing considering I usually think I'm just spoiling him into some unrealistic form of life.
Most likely it's attributable to the brain bending conversations I have had with a couple dear friends about changing my state of mind, trying to follow some of the criteria in this 21 Days of Happiness log, and just generally letting things be. Let it be, let it be, let it be.
I guess I don't really care about the reason. I'm just overjoyed that the school assignments aren't weighing me down, that sorting through my closet for spring gets me a little too excited, and that life is swinging to and fro, and I get to live it.
I volunteer and observe in five classrooms at four schools throughout the week. I think that adds up to hanging around with over 120 kiddos. And in my classroom experiences now and previously, there are always those few students that tug at my heartstrings in subtle ways. Don't get me wrong, they all do, but there are a few that I seem to understand a little bit better than others. I love the differences each bring to assignments, the way one science experiment can be traditional for one student, and a lesson in the lotion-water plants create on Mars for another. I can't make this stuff up. And I love that.
Maybe what I'm trying to get at is I, for this brief moment, am realizing that I don't have to go searching for happiness, I can find it right here. It's a philosophical and constant practice, yes, but it's possible.
To the hunt,
Jo
Monday, March 9, 2015
It's Almost Sweet, Sweet Spring
I just received an email stating my Etsy listings were getting ready to expire. So soon? I won't bore you and myself with what-if's and should-of's, but let's just say that the business of making pillows is not conducive to the school work, classroom observations, and school volunteering that are currently cluttering my hours to the brim. Like a full cookie jar, but instead of cookies overflowing the lid, it's educational reform policy, assessment interventions, and the sociological backward-ness of bilingual education. I'm very grateful to be back in school, but cookies sound so easy at the moment.
The goals for which I was sure I would stick - two pillows a month? sure! - have fallen behind, which is neither to the left nor right, but somewhere beneath my consciousness. Silly material sitting in that glorious bin in my office, what are you doing there?
Resting. Peacefully resting before the flurry of creation.
I wrote a classmate that I was floating blissfully drunk and ignorant in a sea of chaotic confusion at the moment. Time to put on the proverbial sunscreen, if you know what I mean. That's alright, the wavering equilibrium is good for my muscles, challenging for my brain, and learning to better handle stress is an exercise that would be awesome for me if I actually did that. Ha. "This too shall pass," after all.
So for now! The pillows are stuck in the vibrant and beautiful air of imagination. I will renew the Etsy listings, and get some more work done in the future. I have seven weeks left in this one particularly challenging class. Until then, I release you, pillows. I'll see you soon. And who knows, maybe letting go is the catalyst I need to get going again!? (CHEERS TO CATALYSTS.)
Happy almost Spring. Boy, does that make me joy-filled.
To the upcoming greener pastures,
Jo
P.S. Have you seen this app!? Paper 53. It's remarkable. I used it to create some faux watercolored eucalyptus trees, for example. They remind me of elephant feet.
P.S.S. I just did some smile-ups. :D
The goals for which I was sure I would stick - two pillows a month? sure! - have fallen behind, which is neither to the left nor right, but somewhere beneath my consciousness. Silly material sitting in that glorious bin in my office, what are you doing there?
Resting. Peacefully resting before the flurry of creation.
I wrote a classmate that I was floating blissfully drunk and ignorant in a sea of chaotic confusion at the moment. Time to put on the proverbial sunscreen, if you know what I mean. That's alright, the wavering equilibrium is good for my muscles, challenging for my brain, and learning to better handle stress is an exercise that would be awesome for me if I actually did that. Ha. "This too shall pass," after all.
So for now! The pillows are stuck in the vibrant and beautiful air of imagination. I will renew the Etsy listings, and get some more work done in the future. I have seven weeks left in this one particularly challenging class. Until then, I release you, pillows. I'll see you soon. And who knows, maybe letting go is the catalyst I need to get going again!? (CHEERS TO CATALYSTS.)
Happy almost Spring. Boy, does that make me joy-filled.
To the upcoming greener pastures,
Jo
P.S. Have you seen this app!? Paper 53. It's remarkable. I used it to create some faux watercolored eucalyptus trees, for example. They remind me of elephant feet.
P.S.S. I just did some smile-ups. :D
Sunday, March 1, 2015
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)