Day 26

I got a good taste of what it's like to be a real teacher on my first day. It was a multi-tasking extravaganza, especially if you had no idea what classes you were going to teach until the day of, if you did not have the summer to prepare and work on the lesson plan, if you were not familiar with the state standards, and you had four different subjects to teach. Somehow, through the help of two teachers, three administrators, and three years of experience as a sub of winging it, I got through the day without anybody getting hurt and by anybody, I mean, me.

A wonderful thing happened after I got home. I felt like going for a walk, even though I've been on my feet all day. On my walk, I saw a humming bird. I watched it fly in front of my face for a few seconds and suddenly all the stresses of the day flew away along with the humming bird. For the next twenty or so minutes, I was in paradise. Thoughts tried to take me away, but they went as quickly as they came. Every time another thought tried to pull me in, a smile formed on my lips like the kind you get when a child fake cries and you can see right through him or her. The walk itself drew me in deeper and the thoughts became fainter and fainter.

Afterwards, I had to do a bit of research for this elective humanity class I have no clue about and I breathed right through it.

The Practice

5:50 AM meditation - 10 minutes
Light walk - 20 minutes
Evening meditation - 25 minutes

Reflection

As I was going through my day, I continuously kept coming back to the present moment and the task at hand. There was no other way around it. If I didn't, I'd probably say "screw this" and go home. I reminded myself that I didn't have to plan for the next day right now, all I had to do was this one thing that was necessary at this moment. And everything that I needed presented itself the moment I needed it. I made just enough copies at the appropriate time. I had just the right person to show me where I had to go to get what I needed. I talked to just the right people. I had just enough time for introductions and the rest of it.

When allowed, life takes over and you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.