
In July, I signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo (it's a site that helps writers to set goals and write) to keep myself on task. I also signed up for the library's summer reading program for adults, which they put online to record read books. The library also had a section for "missions," a summer bucket list of five activities. One bucket list item was hacking down the blackberries on the property. Who on earth would put something like that on their list? Apparently, I would. It's August and now it's time to get ready for teaching again. Gadzooks! I'm tired.
WORK IS HARD.
But here's the thing: it's also satisfying, very satisfying. Thrilling! Exciting! Delightful! It even brings tears to my eyes because I'm often absolutely surprised that I can do things. (I know that's strange to say but we won't go into my mental state here. Anyway...)
Doing things takes time and effort and sometimes I don't notice my mini-steps until they add up to something big.
And now those baby steps have added up to...
~finishing an e-book for pre-orders! Whoo Hoo! (5 Fun Scripts for Kids to Perform, Vol I: Tall Tales; you can pre-order it on Amazon, Apple, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and Smashwords)
~playing 100 of our board games! I'd forgotten why we liked some of them so much.
~Almost done preparing an inspiring book by a friend--so close, so close. A few more baby steps to go.
~a whole slew of blackberries are down! I can see my side field again.
~reading or listening to a number of books...for pleasure!
~15 recordings of three classes for Children's Educational Theater. I've got to get those up on my website. (baby-steps)
~Another monologue to be posted for this month.
~Yoga, I've finished the 28-day yoga plan from a book I have! Now I head into the three routines that I'll do daily. I hope to improve.
And there's more but here's my take-away:
HARD WORK CAN LEAD TO GREAT THINGS, even when I'm taking mini-steps to get there.