I haven't let go of this idea yet, I just need to keep at it to evolve it into what I want it to be. I realized today I haven't done a thing with it in coming on two months now. That's no good for a blog. So, what I have been up too- a new puppy entered our life. Buddy. He's the little white one next to Nia. It's been an adjustment for all of us. We love him and he quickly became a part of the family, but I forgot what a pain teaching a puppy can be. So that has consumed a lot of time. I look forward to when he learns what "come here" means and can go a week with an accident. Work also kind of took over, but not in a negative way necessarily. I have established myself among certain teachers and students as the person they seek out for support. It feels good to know I have a large handful of kids that trust me and come see me regularly for support. Our school is in the process of being taken over by the state, which has led, it seems to me, many people to work harder than they ever did before. A large part of my responsibility as a school social worker is addressing attendance. We have so many students who are truant, this too consumes much of my week. It's actually the least favorite part for me. While I value the importance of attendance and want to address whatever may be going to keep a kid from school, I also sometimes feel like it takes me away from the kids there who are invested and actively seeking supports and an education. It's a tightrope.
In addition to my regular duties and roles, I have started a Girls on the Run program with middle school aged girls. I highly value this time and this program. I have about 8 girls who come consistently. The group cohesion we've developed and there responsiveness to what I am sharing with them is wonderful. We are expected to run a 5K at the end. I am not sure if the girls are moving quickly enough towards this, but I know they are getting many other benefits mentally, emotionally, physically. I have pushed myself to challenge them more and it proved successful. At my last meeting with them, I had them increase their laps from about 2 to 8 without any internal expectation they would go that far.
On the home front, in addition to Buddy, the husband and I are thinking and planning a lot about the next few years of our lives. This is nothing new really- we are both daydreamers. But it feels like we are now starting to put some of our dreams (individual and as a family) into action, or at least taking the steps to be able to put them into action. With the excitement of what we hope to come, I have been daydreaming/procrastinating/planning in excess about some of what we hope to accomplish.
In order to not let my daydreams and excessive planning get in the way of all I am doing now, I am using my yoga practice to help me feel more grounded, centered and at peace with each day, each week, as it comes. As a non religious person who still seeks some sort of spiritual grounding, I have finally found that in my yoga practice. I am attending about 5 times a week and hope to build up to daily. Although I may not attend daily classes, the ideas, the focus on calming my mind and developing my breath is remaining with me throughout each day.
So, with all these things, I should still be able to make time to write, practice creativity in other ways and accomplish some of the other floating goals. I just have to take action and do it. I plan to try again, so stay tuned.
