Day 55

My morning blogging has shifted into evening blogging. Watch... now that I said that, it will shift to morning again. Isn't it how everything is? We make a definite statement about something and the next thing you know, you're shown its contradiction.

I really enjoyed my day at school today. I had challenging classes too. But there was something about overcoming these challenges or rather forming a relationship with them that proved to be fun. The teacher comes in to class today and tells me that the Internet doesn't work, so I would have to walk across campus to get the rosters. Then, he goes on to semi-explain what the first two classes are doing pointing to a cheat sheet that I peripherally notice as he's talking. He comes up with a lesson plan for 6th period on the spot, not sure that his class would really respond to it, but leaving it up to me to do with what I can. He makes a few other comments about how this and that doesn't really work, but he has to go, he adds, "I'm sorry," and leaves. There's no teacher's desk in the room and barely any supplies. I smile and nod and proceed to walk back to the main office where I have to change my room key as I was given the wrong one, get the rosters, get the materials from the teacher's mail box, and go back to the room to give out the summons for the PSAT testing by 7:55 AM.

As I went through the day supervising one large group of students after another seeing how they would not stay on task otherwise, I had an insight: every job has built-in challenges for variety and enjoyment. Whether that's true for you, you have to test for yourself. I can't speak for tomorrow, but today it was true for me.

The Practice

Morning meditation - 10 minutes
Informal meditation consisting of staring at a tree outside - 15 minutes

Reflection

The mind likes to create stories and images with anything that it can get its hands on. I read recently in the "Way of the Peaceful Warrior" that the first task in meditation is to notice the fleeting nature of our thoughts and the second is to let them go. I noticed that there's a moment of choice almost when we can decide to latch on to the story or let it go. But the moment leaves with the slight of hand. It has become easier to go the other way. For lack of better words, the power of awareness is growing.