Share my love for the natural world. Take my student outside the school for a walk around the block to look for robins with my binoculars!
Tour the community garden across from the school with my Kindergartners, to observe the abundance of plants and flowers.

Sitting in my chair in the early morning before work with my cup of coffee.
Doing my pre-work Yoga stretches, without listening to the radio. Listening to the robins calling outside.

I tend to take my health for granted. At least these days, when I notice that I have more energy and strength than people younger than me.

What can I do? Make sure I eat well. Be aware and thankful. Remember and support those in my life who have ailments, such as my brother with his bad back, and my sister with her thyroid condition.
“There but for the grace of God go I” at some level.

This early spring morning, with yellow – green leaves, and tulips and blossoms everywhere. The call of a robin outside in the early dawn. The sweet smell of the lilac bush as I pass it on the sidewalk. Always and always nature, and especially the miracle of spring after a long New England winter.

My energetic , passionate and sometimes sensible sister, for one! She throws herself into whatever she is doing, whether it is caring for her family and for people around her, or traveling in their RV to explore the country. She is a “rolling stone that gathers no moss”, and though I could not manage all the activities and projects she takes on, I admire her determination and willingness to meet life’s challenges as well as opportunities.

After the devastating loss of my mother twenty years ago. Feeling bereft and alone. After she was buried I walked up to the small burial ground at night. Someone had lit candles on every grave. I stood by her fresh mound heaped with flowers. And felt her presence somehow, as though she was relieved: “Free at last, free at last, “
That brought me a measure of comfort and peace.

That I am able to continue and keep moving. That I am more resilient than I thought I was That in the hardest times, there are chance unexpected encounters to lift my spirits, whether it be the song of a robin at dawn, magnolia blossoms outside my window, or a chance surprising conversation with a stranger on the subway.

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”
-Plato

That I feel increasingly like I belong in my school community. I can be at ease and speak my mind, contribute and be heard and respected by my colleagues. Maybe for the first time in my teaching career. It gives me a sense of confidence. A nice experience as I draw closer to the end of my teaching career.

And maybe COVID brought us all closer together somehow. We weathered it together!

Lots of comments here about being and not being a “people pleaser.” I would like to be open and curious about others. Less judgmental and critical. And when I am open and gentle with others they will experience this from me. So it’s more about how I am willing to be kind to myself and to others, rather than wondering or worrying about how I am seen.

Today; starting where I am. My first official day of school break. My purpose: to enjoy the sun. Take a walk in the early morning.
Spend time with my friend in her assisted living facility. Walk some more. Love the day and my freedom from work obligations this week. Take time to enjoy what and who is around me.

By being curious! Watching and being mindful of my reactions in the moment to others, especially when I am irritated or things don’t go as I want them to.
Remembering to be kind as well as speaking the truth. Remembering that everyone is coming from their own perspectives and challenges.

Learning how to use an abacus.

Waking up on a first, snowy “snow day.” The luxury of seeing the falling snow from my warm bed. Everything and everyone seems to get more quiet and still.
And the blanket of white snow creates beauty on everything: on houses, trees and cars in the parking lot…

All the myriad Christmas folks songs from many nations that I grew up singing. Singing everyday was an integral part of my life growing up.
And singing before a meal. My sister and I still often do this, when we meet for a long-distance meal these days over Facebook messenger.

Thanks

And do you have your own daily practice during the day?

I attend Quaker Meeting. It’s carving out time in my busy work day that is the discipline.

Thank you, Barb.