Honor Role

Day 108:

Today I had the privelege of reading the names of 7th grade students that earned a 4.0 GPA for the Fall Semester during our Honor Roll Assembly. A treat indeed.

The experience took me back to when I got my first video game console.

I was in the 2nd grade and my parents sat me down and told me that due to my much improved report card, they were going to reward me with the original nintendo system. I wish I could write that in second grade I too earned a 4.0 - that it was academic merit that would enable the merriment I would find in fireballing bowzer. But alas, my parents gifted me the NES because my report card finally didn't say "Talks too much".

Needless to say, this phrase would follow me most of my academic career.

I've been blessed with lessons galore over the past few weeks. I'm tempted to share them here, but part of what I've learned is that the weight of hashing what has been can be a bit cumbersome - besides, moving forward is far more fun.

But one key lesson I've been learning over and over all week(s) long, the lesson that's connected to my 2nd grade greatness, is to LISTEN.

For the first time in a while I'm doing some deliberate deafening of the tongue while letting my ears ring freely.

At first glance, it may not seem so, but I assure you that it is.

I'm listening more to my body and refraining (although maybe not as much as I should) from consuming the negative nuggets that are no where as good as Mother's natural foods.
When it comes to the conversations I have with others I'm listening more to the words rather than trying to make my own meaning of them.
I'm listening more to my mind as I close in on the trails my thoughts journey along, trying to connect the consequence of how one thought leads to another, of how this thought leads to that.
I've been listening to the fact that I'm better than what I've been, and am trying to make it so.

Point blank, I'm simply listening.

The inspiration behind this lesson, behind these efforts, were the truthful words of this man.

Have a listen for yourself...





Now think about what you just heard, and then give listening a shot...after all, you may very well be pleasantly surprised by the sounds you stumble upon.

What have you been listening to lately?
What have you learned today?

Getting back on Track

Day 105:

My apologies for entering the realm of triple-digit-days without so much as a hello....it's been far too long since the last post.

Life has been not so usual.

The good news is the inspiration for this effort, and much more, has been rediscovered.

Today I learned that motivation really can be found behind the flip of a switch.
Today I learned how to look forward to tomorrow.


What are you looking forward to?
What have you learned today?

At the ready

Day 96:

While cruising at the Crew tonight a cute young couple strolled in with their even cuter young ones. The boy one of about 4 years needed the restroom, so mom handled that effort while dad stayed out on the floor (where all the merchandise is displayed) and played with the infant girl one in the mirror.

Watching this family getting on with their cuteness immediately made me want my own tiny tikes.

About 30 minutes later a child that was not shopping in our store began to cry uncontrollably just outside.

This had the opposite effect.

This also made me realize why I do not have kids.

Upon sharing this realization with my manager, she naturally asked, "When is anyone 'ready'?"

She's right.

Although I tried the, "Well, when you took the keys to your parents' car for the first time you knew you were 'ready' enough, right?", her point still stands.

A number of far wiser people than I, people whom happen to also be parents, have shared that when it comes to becoming a parent, you're never ready. According to them, there's never enough time, money, or books to make anyone ready for child rearing.

Aside from causing further apprehension, this tidbit of advice makes conjures up another question.

Are we ever ready for anything?

I know I'm never ready for those mornings when I sleep through my alarm.
I know I'm never ready for the days where the traffic far exceeds my allotment of time.
I know I wasn't ready to leave school today at 4pm to head to The Crew when I still hadn't finalized my sub-plans for tomorrow.
I know I wasn't ready when my grandmother had her stroke, or when my grandfather took a turn for the worst.
And I bet I probably won't be ready when the time comes to add the title of Father to the list of roles that I play.

Which means, whether I'm ready or not, the one thing I really CAN control is how I'll respond to the "I'm not quite ready for this" moments that will most certainly find their way into my reality.

Today I learned that maybe it's not about being ready as much as it is about being willing to welcome and grow from the experiences that show us that we're never really ready for anything.

Are you ready for what tomorrow may bring?
At the very least, are you ready to learn from it?

Speaking of learning, what have you learned today?

Idiosyncratic

Day 95:

Beginning today I'll be teaching an enrichment class on Mondays after school. The class is titled Speech and Communications, but I'll most definately be focusing on the Communications half of that set-up.

So like most first days we tended to some housekeeping and started the day with a defining of terms.

What is communication?

The students took a few minutes to jot down their defintions.

Meanwhile, I drafted the textbook definition I learned in college out on the board...

Communications is the process whereby symbols are manipulated, in order to construct meaning, so that a message can be created, delivered, and decoded.

Now when I throw something like this on the board, it is meant to convey the complexities of the topic at hand. I have every intention of providing an explanation using everyday words, of bridging the vernacular gap.

And then a student shares her answer, "Communication is the sharing of ideas."

Bingo.

Toay I re-learned words are a value commodity.
Today I learned that when it comes to words, we don't need an economic recession to practice the approach of Less is More.
Today I learned that this Speech and Communication is going to be a lot of fun.

What have you learn today?

What ideas have you shared?

Lunch

Day 93:

Today I learned that leaving your lunch at home is a bummer.
Today I learned that my bummers, by and large, make me look like a baby when compared to the harsh realities some of my students have had to face this year.
Today I learned to wake up and put things into proper perspective.

Far from Perfection...

Day 92:

Michelangelo, when painting the mural on the the Sistine chapel, was asked why he gave so much attention to the cornersm of the ceiling - afterall, very few would notice a hapharzard effort when they gazed upon the corners of the chapel.

His response was simple, "God will notice."

I present this story to state that unlike Michelangelo, I am far from a perfectionist.

However, ever since the Mrs. and I decided to remove the popcorn from our ceiling, I have found that I have morphed into a being that cares about the 'sky' above.

Both in high school and college I was satisfied with a B average. In fact, this point can be punctuated from the facts found in the following story, one that still stings....

During my Junior year I called my roommate to proudly announce to him that I had earned 1 of the only 2 A's in the most difficult college course of my college career. Upon hearing my celebratory news he responded by stating, "The hardest A you've earned? So that means you've got straight A's this semester right?"

I share the story of Michelangelo (and my own) to point out that when we put forth our efforts towards something that will directly impact us, we are satisfied with nothing but the best.

Tonight I resolved that I will be unable to produce a ceiling for my living room that would find itself in a do-it-yourself magazine. Even still, I am giving my best - if for no other reason so that the guests at my next gathering will appreciate the effort we put forth.

Today I learned that when you do it for yourself, you tend to care a little more.
Today I learned that perhaps I need to translate this lesson into my students' reality.
Today I learned that although I am not crafty, I am more handy than I may have given myself credit for....

What new skill/determination have you discovered lately?

Not so Settle

When I started this silly side project I was more gung ho for it than any undertaking I had endeavored to pursue in quite some time.

And yet here I am, caught in the middle of the beginning of 2010 and over on the right hand side it reads 13. To date I have posted a mere 13 entries (not including this one) this calendar year.

The last entry comes from day 87 and I regret to say that I had to reread it to recall its lesson.

Having done so, I will say that for as much as how day 87 felt like a downer, during day 88 I was living high.

For those that weren't living it with me, I'll recap following today's lessons.

Day 91:
Every once in a while my meager mind will manufacture a method of instruction that I all but guarantee to drive the point of the lesson home.

Today WAS NOT that day.

This is not to say that my methodology was lacking, so much as to say that my madness did not account for a birth of backfire .

Let me explain.

In addition to overcoming numerous natural disasters, the early settlers of Japan had to overcome the fact that only 15% of their land was farmable.

Today I decided to have my students live this out by removing upwards of 35% of the chairs in my classroom. Truthfully, I was hoping the lack of resources would generate some tension, maybe even conflict, over who would have access to them. But true to unpredictable fashion, my tweens resolved to fall into one of two categories: Steal or Settle.

Some stole from their table mates while most settled for their lot and resolved to endure the day atop their table.

The dramatic effect rated a whoppin' zero. But bless their hearts because each period, in one form or another, stated they were reluctant to bicker because they know my stance on bullying.

Needless to say....

Today I learned from my students that sometimes making a point is as easy as simply saying it.
Today I learned that grandiose does not always guarantee results.
Today I learned that failure can be good - because it generates an awareness of what does not work, which in a sense, moves us closer to that which does.


And here's a taste of the lessons from last week...

Day 88:
Ah, "By the Numbers: The Purpose of Middle School".
Hands down this is my favorite from-the-heart message I give to my students. I may not be able to answer their question of, "Why do we have to learn history", but I can definately, passionately explain why the most awkward, least desired point of our schooling career is necessary.

The great point(s) of gratification comes as students exit the class muttering their appreciation for the truths laid out during this lecture.

Because straight up, with out Middle School, we wouldn't have the chance to build upon the skills we learned in elementary school. Nor would we be afforded the opportunity to establish the new ones that will in turn create opportunities for high school and beyond.

This day I learned that I teach history because its content matter provides flexibility.
This day I learned that I teach history so that I may help students look towards their future.

DAY 89-90
These days contained lessons of their own, however I am lacking the time to adequately address them....more to come.

Celebration of Knowledge

Day 87:

The students took a test today; it covered more material than any other test to date.

I'm not too enthusiastic with their results.

Whenever this happens, which at times seems to be more than it ought, I tend to question my methods. Am I not doing enough? Did I devise too extensive an exam? Are they learning? Am I really teaching? Did I pick the wrong profession?

These questions are untimely considering that during today's faculty meeting a women from the district office came in to 'share' with us. I call this connection untimely because it was rather clear why she was no longer in the classroom. Her message attempted to provide a pedagogy that would help teachers, aka the Portola staff, how to effectively teach content standards with the help of some specific instructional strategies. Her twenty minutes were nothing more than an exercise in beating the dead horse.

Maybe I am in the wrong field.

Tomorrow I'll be sharing a message with the class that has nothing to do with the content of my class. It's titled, "By the Numbers: The Point of Middle School.

I do these 'lectures' from time to time. There is no test on this stuff; they're designed to inspire and motivate. I don't really know of these little lessons really get through, but I know it's a large part of why I teach.

Such days help me face questions like this, "What am I missing that they miss so many on the exam?"

Today I think I learned that I need to do better to help my students prepare.
Today I think I learned that in all reality I care far more for the learning itself than I do for the testing of it.
Today I learned that I hope my students will learn more tomorrow than they have all year long....I hope the same is true for me.

What are you hoping to learn?

Check-List Countdown

Day 86:

Today began a new semester.

Today began a new me.

Throughout the day I generated a list of To-Do's to be accomplished upon my return home this evening; most of the time such lists are vain attempts of attempting to motivate some productivity. Today's tasks ranged from faxing from Kinkos to stopping by Verizon to spackeling some dry wall from our latest remodel efforts, to name a few.

In all they totalled nine...looking at that number makes me wish it were a larger sounding.

Anyways, I've recently assumed some new responsibilities while adopting a new attitude of accomplishment. And tonight I can say, somewhat proudly I might add, that today's check-list is done.

Today I learned that I can get way more done with my evening if I don't take a nap when I get home.
Today I learned that pointlessly surfing the web saves time too.
But most insightfully, today I learned that they were right when they said, "If you put your mind to it, you can do it".

What have you put your mind to lately?

Water Bottles

Day 85:

Early in the year I learned something that I now do nearly every day from one of my students. I take reusable water bottles to school, but one of them has a nozzle that's broken. So early in the school year I would literally remove the lid from each bottle and pour the water from the 'broken' one into the unbroken one.
Because I'm me I would invariably end up spilling some amount of water about my desk. Then one day one of my students said to me, "Why don't you just switch the nozzles instead of transferring the water?"
And so I learned.

Well, today I switched nozzles during the class that this student's in and with a semi-proud expression she stated, "I taught you that..."

And she did.

Today I learned, from observation, that it feels good to see others using what you've taught.

Thanks for the lesson.

What have you learned today?
What have you helped others learn?

Yellow Card

Day 84:

I had the opportunity to go to a former student's high school soccer game this evening as his team played a high school near where I live.

It was a lot of fun watching this 11th grade guy strut his soccer skills.

I grew up playing soccer, but there are things I do not recall noticing from the field when I played as a kid, things that cannot be ignored whilst sitting on the sidelines among the parents.

For example, when an opposing player falls down, the alleged adults in the stands blurt out comments such as, "Oh come on! The girls play rougher than that!". But when the fallen footballer is one of their players, the same parents are quick to demand a penalty.

It was literally comedic watching the opposing parents banter back and forth while their sons, their stars, wage athletic war on the pitch below.

It made me wonder if I'd be such a passionate soccer dad.
Probably.
Which made me wonder if I'd be as pumped up if my kids wound up playing something like baseball - a sport I never played, let alone cared for much.

Tonight I had the privilege of rooting on one of my students from yester-year.
And tonight I learned that when it's actually your kid out there, you're likely to do much more than just cheer.

Looking forward to the day where it's socially acceptable to be an adult that violates all the rules I'm suppose to teach my kids, such as 'play nice with others' and 'be a good sport', while I attend their sporting events...

Over-Steppin'

Day 83:

Have you ever done something where as you're doing it, you know you shouldn't be?

Me too.

While walking through the faculty parking lot today with my carpool cohort I did something I normally don't.

I consciously stepped over a piece of trash.

Correct that, I deliberately avoided it with my foot - so much so that I awkwardly extended my stride to avoid it.

As I was doing it I knew I would come to regret it.

To make matters worse the person I was walking with stopped, bent over, and picked it up.

Of course they did.

Talk about, "Hi, I'm lazy! What's your name?"

As this piece of plastic trash was being picked up by my petrol-partner I committed a silent vow to avoid such acts of avoidance.

I hope my word holds true.

To be honest, guilt kind of drove me to eagerly look around for the rest of my day to see if there was something needing to be picked up - there wasn't.

Today I learned that I have no right to ask my students to pick up papers strewned about the classroom floor, likely left behind by other students, if I'm unwilling to do the same.
Today I learned that I need to be willing.
Today I learned that I could be better.

Contagious Chuckles

Day 82:

I was not at school today, obviously, but I still experienced some stuff that inspired contemplation, which in turn inspired some learning.

I was driving this afternoon and listening to a news radio station when this normally 'serious' station errupted into laughter. To be honest, I cannot recall what the radio personalities were laughing at, but there was a solid two minutes there where they simply broke into silly laughter.

I couldn't help but join in.

I would say I was in a pleasant mood at the time, yet I couldn't help but wholeheartedly believe the old adage that claims laughter is the best medicine.

Today I (re)learned that laughter is good for the soul...especially when you're stuck in traffic.

When did you laugh last?
What have you learned today?

Johnny B. Goode

Day 81:

I have substitute coming in for me tomorrow.

Whenever this happens, which isn't very often (in fact, this is the first time all year), I always wonder if I should tell the students of my upcoming absence, or if I should just let them discover my absence at the same time they're meeting the sub.

Rather than undergo the internal debate today I opted to run this burning question past one of my students. The student I chose to ask was from my first period and had been absent for all of last week due to an illness. To my question, she said that when students 'discover' a sub, it was her experience that they're more likely to misbehave.

I think she literally said, "It's my experience..."

That was it. That was all I needed.

When students completed the warm-up I moved on to giving them my announcements for the week. This included my announcing, "Upon conferring with intelligent minds, I have decided to inform you that I will be absent tomorrow...."

She quickly looked up at me; our eyes met before I nonchalantly moved my gaze about the room.

Not a beat later I watched her turn to her table partner as I read her lips say, "Oh! Hey, I'm the intelligent mind he's talking about! I'm the one he asked!"

She wore a slight smile of satisfaction as she shared her news.

Today I learned that sometimes spontaneity can pour a spot of smile.
Today I learned that giving credit where it's due can serve both the giver and the given.
Today I learned that it doesn't matter if she was right, watching her appreciate my appreciation will have been worth it.

Who have you appreciated lately?

What have you learned today?


In a semi-unrelated matter, I want to give kudos to my Homeroom for meeting my challenge of donating more than 40 dollars to Portola's Haiti Relief effort. $40 may not sound like much, but for 32 pre-teens to part with their dinero so that they might donate to others in need, well, let's just say I'm pretty impressed - so much so that I'll be bringing them donuts on Friday.

Thanks for teaching me that generosity can come in any amount...

After-school Detention, or something like it

Day 80:

A professor I had while I was going through my credential program shared a story with the class once that demonstrated an ingenuity I hoped I could one day emulate.

I think that day is coming.

I'll share his story before I share mine...

[This quote may not be verbatim, but the words are as my mind recalls them]
There was this one kid one year, a real gang-banger type. I sensed he knew that there was more to life than the chosen route of his older male 'role models'; he was a bright kid too. And one day he came up to me and said, "Mr. Downing, I want to learn this stuff, but I can't. If the others find out I'm studying and stuff, then, well, they just can't know."
So I made an arrangement with him. Every couple of days I'd get visibly upset with him in class and issue him an afterschool detention. And every couple of days, when he came in to serve his detention, we'd spend the hour studying together."

I still remember how bad-ass a plan I thought that was when I first heard it - it still is.

I have a student this year that I think sort of fits that mold.

He's not only bright, but he does his work too. In fact, not too long ago he came up after class to let me know that I made a mistake. All huffy-like he tells me, "You gave me a zero on something I know I turned in." (turned out he hadn't put his name on it, but once he found it in the No Name Folder, it was 'all good'.)

Anyways, this kid is not a gang-banger. But I peg this kid like Dr. Downing's boy because everyday he misbehaves. It doesn't seem to matter where I put his seat either. I've tried in the front, in front of my desk, all alone without a table partner in the back, it doesn't matter, this kid finds and or makes trouble everywhere he sits. And I don't mean the kind of trouble where he occasionally talks out of turn, I mean he misbehaves so that other teachers send him outside for a timeout, or to the Dean's Office.

But today I think I figured him out.

I think that at some point early on in his schooling he established a reputation of being the tough-guy-slash-class-clown (and I don't recall having those types when I was in school - you were one or the other, but there was no such thing as both). And it doesn't matter that he is bright, or that he cares enough about his grades that he actually does his work; this guy sees himself as this persona and he's sticking to it.

So here's why I think my day of throwing down a bitchin plan is on the horizon.

I think that unlike Downing's student, my student doesn't see what he's doing to himself. I think that as bright as he is, my kid has no clue that his schtick is stickin it to him. Therefore, come Monday I'm gonna sit this kid down, for the seemingly umpteenth time, and lay it ALL out for him.

Which means one of two things will happen.

Either he'll listen, process, and adjust. Or he will no longer be in my class. Because frankly, his behavior decisions are dragging down his classmates, and I won't stand for it any more.
It's just not fair to them.

In my book, this kid has one more shot. And in all reality, whether he takes it or leaves it probably has a lot to do with how I'll present it.

Today I learned that I want to prove that when 'they' say there are some kids we just can't help, they're wrong.
Today I learned that people, even this kid, deserve one last chance.
Today I learned that I have a lot of planning to do over the weekend.
Today I learned that this planning had better generate a pretty bad-ass plan.

Power or Profit?

Day 79

Tonight I watched an interesting video clip of The Daily Show with Jon Stewart tonight via Hulu. The guest was an author of a book where he asserts that America's pharmaceutical companies are 'helping' its mother land to distribute a mindset that claims metnal illness is real, and it ought to be viewed and treated our way. Take a look...



Although I appreciate Stewart's quip about America needing to have something left to export, I'm saddend by the possible 'truthiness' found in this book.

Has America really turned down this road when it comes to cultural exchange? I thought we were the land of Rock n Roll, of Mickey Mouse, of McDonalds - and now we're hawking our perspective on pills in the name of global mental health? really?

When it comes to my sharing this, I'm not entirely sure what I've learned from it.

I will say that it makes me wonder if there's anything I do or stand for that makes others wonder, "Really? That's where your motivation comes from?"

Perahps I learned today that one's heart (or in this case a country's motives) need not necessarily be displayed on the sleeve, but instead it very well may be secretly tucked away in the pocket - next to the change purse.

Daily Donor

For the past week or so the school I teach at has been running a couple of collection programs for various charities.

One is being run through the restaurant chain Olive Garden to help its effort in funding cancer research called Pennies and Pasta for Patients, or something like that. The other is our school's effort to raise money to aid the work of The Red Cross for Haiti.

The collections are being handled through homerooms.

Each day a student comes over the PA during morning announcements to remind us of these charity efforts.

And each day I am amazed by the dedication and thoughtfulness of one of my homeroom girls because before the tardy bell rings, before the announcements even begin, she is up at the front of the room making her daily deposit of coins and cash.

I do not know the amount she has contributed to either of these causes, I doubt that it's been very much, but either way I have become so impressed by her constant consideration.

To watch her during these 30 seconds each morning is to see thoughtfullness is its most pure form.

This student knows nothing of her benefactors; she will never see the power of her 'purchase'. And yet there she is, each morning, giving what could easily remain hers to someone else.

Today I learned what blind generosity looks like.

Tearing down walls

Day 77

The Mrs. and I are refacing the fireplace in our living room. And when I tell people that we're doing it what I really mean is her dad, whose a professional at this stuff, is helping us because when it comes to my being handy at home improvement projects, well, let's just say the tool I use best is my ATM card (and if I may say so, I did a real good job at using that tool to place the order for the material we're using to replace the slate slabs).

But really, I am charged with removing the slate and repairing any drywall that had to be sacrificed, which is where today's lesson comes in.

The area of the wall needing to be repaired, and ultimately replaced, was originally nine inches wide and just under 53 inches long. But in order for the final product to be acceptable, to look clean and as though there were never a 'hole', I had to cut in to it and make the area 18 inches wide so that the added drywall could be fastened to a stud, to the support beam.

From nine to 18 - double.

While I was in the garage cutting the drywall that I would soon be hanging I got to thinking about how life sometimes requries the very demolition that I had just completed.

I have found that sometimes there are situations in life that cannot be repaired without some demolition first. That sometimes in order to make things new again we need to tear down and cut back, we need to find that foundational piece and rebuild.

In light of the funky start to my 2010, to my new year, I am beginning to suspect that over the past year or so I may have built some walls, metaphorically speaking, that might need to come down.

Today I learned that I probably need to poke some holes and take a peek.
Today I learned that if what I might see on the inside isn't as presentable as what's on the outside, then perhaps it's time to demo, and then do some rebuilding...

A kick in the behind

The Day known as 'Make-Up Work'

Have you ever felt like a morning didn't get off to the right start?

Yeah, me neither.

Seriously.

I don't think I view my days that way, but this I know for certain - 2010 has not begun as I hoped it would.

Do not misunderstand me; I have not had a bad beginning to this new year, it's just that I don't think I've started it yet.

Which is to say, I am way behind.


This sensation stems in large part from the reality that today should consist of an entry from day 76. Instead, it's technically only day 67 - how's that for numerical irony?!

During Winter Break the Mrs. asked if it felt weird to not be posting lessons learned. It did. And yet, for some reason, I had a difficult time getting back on track.

I originally told myself the excuse that our newly purchased computer was not yet outfitted with Microsoft Office - and how could I first write out my lessons on anything other than Word? But then we got Office (a program I've yet to install), so that excuse quickly became nullified. And then, well, I generated a number of excuses that truly lived up to their legacy of lame.

But I'm not just behind in posting the lessons.

I am seemingly behind in everything.

For example, over break I fell behind in grading some student projects. Presently I am what I consider to be significantly behind in updating my gradebook. I'm behind in rolling out a new classroom feature that I introduced called Standout Student. I'm also behind in home-related paperwork. I'm behind in some shows I regularly watch and am especially behind in a few blogs I follow. Furthermore, I'm further behind than I thought I'd get on a remodeling project (we're re-facing our fireplace, just an FYI - like you really wanted/needed to know that).

The point is, 2010 fooled me into thinking that from day one it would be a tremendous year. But in all reality, the only thing tremendous is how tremendously behind I've become.

Enough already - get to the point, get to the lessons.

During the last ten school days the lessons have been bountiful. I don't know if it makes sense to go back and share them, as much as it does to just move on from now.
But what of the 180 Days of learning?
Who knows, maybe I'll infuse them into the forthcoming posts....or maybe this project will run ten days into the summer.

Thankfully this decision need not be made now. For now, I will just share today's lesson.

This evening I went to a coffee shop down the street to grade some projects (different from the ones that buried me over the break - those were turned in before break and they're all done; these were only turned in last week. Why am I felling like I need to explain myself? It's like this falling behind thing has given me some sort of complex.). Most of the students put their names on the back of this one-page assignment, which I like because it allows me to evaluate the work without any influence from who the worker is.

But as I would turn the assignment over to write the grade I noticed that I was accurately predicting whose work it was - I could almost always tell that this assignment was completed by 'Samuel', that it was created by 'Samantha'.

Today I learned that when we produce work we leave behind a portion of ourselves.
Today I learned that who we are, at least in part, can be found in the work that we do.

I hope that the work I do speaks of kindness
I hope it speaks of compassion.
I hope it speaks of thoughtfullness - to the task and of others.

What is your work saying about you?


And since much of today's reflection contained tales of time, here's a song that shares a story of something that is somewhat connected...particularly the part of me that chooses to make 3:55 and beyond my new now and to leave behind the recent past.

Somewhere between last year and tomorrow

This is not a normal post.

If it were unclear, in the event it were unnoticed, I have not submitted a normal post in some time.

This is not to say that I have not learned, simply that I have not posted.

Why?

A number a reasons, a number of lessons.

Beginning tomorrow I will resume the journey this lesson began, or perhaps it's more appropriately stated that I will once again join the lesson this journey began.

At the end of this road it may not read that I uploaded 180 posts, but this is certain, I will have shared 180 days worth of learning...

that you can count on.

When was the last time you counted your blessings?

Feliz Navidad mis amigos