Day 1 of 100 - ESL

I'm challenging myself to get back to this. I need to save myself and looking for the magic every day again just might be the answer. I'm going to commit to 100 days of sticking to this to see what happens. 

I teach English as a Second Language class every Wednesday. Usually at the end of the work day on Wednesdays I'm kind of dreading class that goes form 7 - 9. I'm just tired and want to go home. But every Wednesday at 9:00 I leave so happy and energized. Tonight was no exception. The people I teach with energize me, the students energize me, when they learn something it energizes, when they have more confidence it energizes me and when they call me "teacher" it really energizes me and makes me feel happy. When you feel this way after a long day at work you know you are "in the flow" as Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi calls it. This is pure magic - to connect with your inner purpose and to feel that energy ignite! Today and every Wednesday I experience this and know that for two hours every week I'm "on purpose!"

Innermost Being and Reality Uncovered

Magic today came my way as it often does via Facebook. Someone posted this quote by Joseph Campbell that really struck a chord with me - about how I am feeling these days.

"People say that what we’re all seeking is a meaning for life.... I think what we’re really seeking is an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonance within our innermost being and reality, so that we can actually feel the rapture of being alive."
-Joseph Campbell

When I read that quote this morning I had what Oprah calls an "Aha" moment. I realized that's why I love Spain so much. And, why I love to travel abroad so much. These are my realities - my life experiences that resonate with my inner being and reality! Maybe it's safe to say they are my inner passions. I think some people have these inner beings that are very strong and others don't. To have them so strongly is a blessing and a curse. The blessing is the "rapture" you feel when you live them. The curse is the strong longing, yearning, and discontentment you feel when you don't. It can be unbearable at times.

This quote really spoke to me today. I realized that that's what I'm looking for -- the experiences that resonant with my innermost being and reality. I'm trying to define that reality. Today, I saw some of that reality clearly for the first time. It's not that I'm crazy or ungrateful for the life I have -- it's me, who I am. It's my innermost being calling out to me. Now, how do I attract Spain and traveling abroad into my life this year? That's the magic I seek now.

Unexpectedly Rediscovering Your Passion

I'm writing about yesterday's magic today. This magic (after a long time from being away from here!) came during a potluck dinner we had for the ESL class I help teach. It was so fun being with all of these people from other countries, tasting their food, and getting to know them better. A couple of them told me that I was a good teacher. I realized how much I love doing this. That this is my passion. Then a memory came back to me from my childhood of a game I used to play that foreshadowed this passion. I had forgotten all about this.  Being at times a "weird kid" I used to play a game called International School with all of the dolls my grandma had brought me from her travels around the world (I also realized I must get my wanderlust from her!). I gave all the dolls authentic names from their countries that I researched in the encyclopedia and books from the library (pre-Internet!). I also came up with a "back-story" for each one - what city they were from, what their houses were like, etc. All of these "students" had come to my "international boarding school!" So, I was also normal and played with Barbies but this was my own private game.Last night when this memory came back to me I realized how those things from our childhood really are the roots of our passions but somehow get buried in the real world. I also realized that in some ways this ESL class is a manifestation of that International School game and living a passion. The magic to me was not only the good time I had last night but in that zing of electricity feeling that comes when you connect with a passion deep inside of you and you know that this is who you are and who you were meant to be!

Ladybug

Today I went to brush my teeth and found a ladybug on my toothbrush! I haven't seen a ladybug in ages. I gently lifted her off and set her on the counter. She moved around a little. Later, when I checked she was gone. I was curious about the symbolism of a ladybug. Here is what I found out: 


Perhaps best known as an emblem of luck.  When a Ladybug lands on you, it is said your wish will come true.


Asian traditions hold to the belief that if caught and then released, the Ladybug will faithfully fly to your true love and whisper your name in his/her ear. Upon hearing the Ladybug’s message your true love will hurry his/her way to your side.


In Ireland, the Ladybug is said to be a symbol of protection. (interesting because that's part of what I would've wished for). 

Whatever the reason or the meaning (I love the one about flying and whispering in your true love's ear!), it was a special visit!

Starstruck

I'm a little late in writing about this. It happened on February 2nd when I was in New York City for work. But first let me back up. Dwight and I watch the Today Show every morning while getting ready for work. I admit, I have a little crush on Matt Lauer. I also have always wanted to be in the outdoor audience for the show. That Thursday, we didn't have to go into work until 9:30 so my co-worker and I took a walk down past Rockefeller Center. We thought we'd see all the people crowded around where the broadcast the show and the outdoor plaza area. Well, there was hardly anyone there. We asked the security guard why there wasn't anyone there. He said it was because it was February and there are no tourists in New York in February. We got right up to front of the barrier. Pretty soon, Matt, Al, and Ann came out! Ann went back inside right away but Matt and Al walked around and talked to people and took pictures between broadcast segments. Matt came over to us and my coworker got a picture of him with me! I was in heaven! I texted Dwight that I was in the audience of the show. Within a few minutes he texted me back a picture of me and my coworker on the TV screen! He had actually seen me before I texted him while he was getting ready. He rewound the TV (DDR) and took a picture of the screen! Technology is a miracle in itself! Anyhow, I was just SO excited. We just went out for a walk and ended up on TV and I had my picture with Matt Lauer!  I just wish I would've put on some make-up!!!

Love Paulo Coelho

You can become blind by seeing each day as a similar one. Each day is a different one; each day brings a miracle of it's own. It's just a matter of paying attention to its miracles. 
--Paulo Coelho