Day 5 of Project Begin Again

Privilege is thinking something isn't a problem because it isn't YOUR problem.  

Day 5 of 38!  What a great week.  Busy, yes.  But energizing and happy.  Maybe it's still the store of endorphins leftover from my 3 hour plus trail run on Sunday. Or the positive flow I've felt from focusing on my gratitude and intentions every day this week.  Or that I've been in the classroom teaching and doing what I love.  Whatever it is, I'd like more of it!  

I've decided to try to break my routine of posting at night and try to get some of my ideas out in the morning if I have time.  I think this will help with setting the stage for the day as well as allowing me to write when I have the most energy and the least amount of distraction.  

Again, here  in link is the post that began Project Begin Again.  And below are the guidelines I keep in every post.  

So, here's how this will go. 

1. I will write something on here every day for 38 days because that is how many days until my 50k.  
2. I will keep in simple!!! Some days will consist of three sentences if that's all I have.   
3. I will write for me.  
4. I will try very hard NOT to compare my old Runninghood self to the Amanda typing today.  
5. I will keep my posts to daily gratitude, intentions and.... because how can we not feel sad, heavy hearted and powerless at so much happening in our world...I will include at least one small way I can or have done something to make the world a better place (this can be as simple and powerful as helping my child learn a lesson about love and kindness).  
6. Why am I doing this?  To Begin Again.  Just as with training for a marathon when we put in our daily workouts, I want to get into the habit of focusing on the things that make me happy and my intentions for making my life what I want. Writing helps me with this.  

Day 5:

Intentions: 

• Continue to focus on the intentions I already set for myself this week in Day 1. 2. 3. and 4.  
• Read at least 10 minutes today from a REAL book...like the kind I can hold in my hands and underline and write in the margins.  :)  Current read is Creative Schools by Ken Robinson.  I'm borrowing this book so I can't write in it but it is good once I get beyond the dry stuff in the beginning.  As usual, I have many books I have partially read...all stacked on my desk.  I want to be intentional about carving out even a short time every day to READ them!  Amazing  how even only 5 minutes of read time can often shape my thoughts for a big part of the day.  
• Keep doing Duolingo for myself and with my family.  I'm learning Spanish for real!!  yay!  Actually making some quick progress...especially with reading and writing.  The listening part with out the words is harder for me.  This has always been hard for me even in English...the auditory part if it is separate from the visual.  One reason why during read aloud in grade school, I was often never following along for long.  

Gratitude:

• This day.  
• Waking up early again and almost stepping on my daughter who had come in to sleep next to our bed.  I'm not glad for the stepping-on part but I did enjoy scooping her up and putting her in my warm bed to sleep for another hour or so.  
• Survivor night last night with the family... always such a fun night for us to connect and all be together.  Afterwards, my husband and I watched The Martian.  Good movie!  Moving.  We may or may not have both cried.  I did. ;) 
• I GET to teach today.  
• I've felt sore from running this week.  That means I've worked harder than usual.  
• My body is responding well to the extra strength work, healthier eating, and elimination of craft beer during the week.  I've seen definition and toning that I haven't seen in awhile and my jeans are fitting great!  This FEELS GOOD to look good!  

How have I, or can I continue to play even a small part in making the world a better place (Be the Change):  

• I'm using today to look back on my Be-the-Changes from Day 1-4 and reflect on them.  

The words that are in my mind today are words I heard somewhere...Maybe it was the World Muse Conference this last month...   I don't have the exact words but it goes something like this:  

Privilege is thinking something isn't a problem because it isn't YOUR problem.  

Yes.  This.  I think these words are very relevant in our world.  And I think of them often when I find myself creep into a place of comfort with my political decisions (no, I don't get political on here...and likely wont start!!), judgements or lifestyle...when I go on autopilot and make decisions only based on my life, comfort zone, background, schema, bubble, traditions...only on what I know in my life... much much more to say here but again, I'll save the rest for my journals.  

Happy Thursday!

Amanda