What is Your Dharma?

I Was Born to Be a Teacher!

If you become a teacher,
by your pupils you'll be taught. 

Oscar Hammerstein II 

At the end of the school year, and while everyone is doing the countdown to summer, I'm a bit sad. Do you know why? I'm a teacher, and

I LOVE IT!

I mean, what could be better than 

hanging out with kids all day?

(the grown-ups are okay, too, I guess . . . LOL!)

Good thing I teach summer school!

Honestly, I feel super lucky and blessed to have a job I love, and to tell the truth, teaching actually found me. 

Here's the super no-coincidence story:

Once upon a time in my twenties after college, I was in my room late at night reading a college course catalog (yes, I was working at a department store in the mall with a 4-year degree, living at home with my parents . . . and that's okay . . . I just didn't have a direction, or a focus, and I wasn't sure what to do with my life, hence the college course catalog). I turned a page open and vwah-lah (is that how you spell it?), out popped a section in the catalog for a teaching license program for English (which was my degree in college).

I was like WHOA! COOL! I could be a teacher! and looked farther down the page. I needed two letters of reference from college professors, a copy of my college transcript, an essay explaining my interest in the program, and a completed application form. Not a problem, really . . . but then I looked at the deadline: 

it was 

due the

very next day at 5:00 p.m.

I didn't know it until later, but this was one of the very first times I felt the Universe leveraging itself for me. I knew I was going to be a teacher after I saw this program, and I knew I was going to meet the deadline.  

I stayed up all might long writing my essay and filling out the application, and right away in the morning, I called two of my favorite professors the and asked for references THE VERY SAME DAY. They agreed! (of course) . . . 

That very afternoon (fewer than 24 hours since I had read about the program), I headed down to the University of Minnesota with my application; I picked up the references from my two professors; I went to the transcript office and got an authorized copy of my college grades; AND, I hand-delivered my entire application at (you guessed it!) around 4:55 p.m.

I made the deadline!

Anyway, that is the story of the beginning of my love affair with teaching. I feel so blessed to be a teacher and to have a job that I absolutely adore. Deepak Chopra, in his Seven Laws of Spiritual Success describes The Law of Dharma in this way:

"Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals."

Do you know people who absolutely love their jobs? They may be working and connecting with their dharma, a Sanskrit word that means "purpose in life."

What if, since you were born, you were encouraged to find your spirit, express your unique gifts in the world, and use those very same talents to serve others with your PURPOSE? What if someone told you that you were born with unique gifts that only YOU can express in this world . . . and that if you give with an attitude of service, you will be abundant, and you will never experience want. That's what happens when our calling (job) is in alignment with our spirit; that's why people leave corporate America (and the big bucks!) to find something more meaning-FULL!

Sometimes, I hear folks complain about their employment (btw, I don't mean those who are irked once in a while . . . I am talking about people who chronically complain about their miserable existence at work), and I wonder usually one of two things:

• Why aren't they doing something they absolutely love that gives them energy?
• or, Why don't they change their attitude, try to appreciate their job and stop feeding the cycle of yuckiness that probably creates their misery in the first place? I mean, just cuz' we don't love something doesn't mean we have to be uncomfortable, right? We bring our attitude to absolutely everything we experience.

Anyway, as  I write this, I know that loads of folks have to work to support their families--me, too! I would rather do something I love to support my family . . . that actually doesn't feel like work . . . and teaching is like that to me.

I know this might sound all spiritual hippie-dippie, but my experience is that when I focus on MAKING MONEY, I am pretty lost. When I focus on serving others, I feel much better, and the Universe sustains me beyond my wildest dreams. 

My students get how much I love my job (I show them and tell them everyday), and they also know that I get that my job is much much bigger than teaching 8th grade English in a middle school. To be honest, I've known for a long time that my dharma is bigger than teaching English . . . for example, being a role model for kids; being present for them in other ways (like, if adults aren't around for them, emotionally, physically, or psychologically); watching over them, socially, at school; and helping them learn how to be students; also, sometimes, just listening and checking in daily and throughout the week when I see them.

AnD (here it comes . . .), my caLL has gotten bigger, starting last year.

BACKSTORY: In all honesty, I have been a bit checked out at work in the past years while I was in transition with my family and my LIFE. A couple of years ago, I was coming out of the fog in so many ways, and I had the opportunity of having a student teacher--so, I had some time and space outside of my classroom.  During the same time, I began working with Mastin, and I became interested in blogging. It reminded me of journaling, actually, an activity I've done all my life.

When away for a weekend at my best friend's cabin, he showed me how Blogger works--and I wrote my first blog in about 30 minutes. It's like I was totally ready to write and put myself out there, and the right teacher appeared at the perfect moment. It was so easy and natural! Later, we came up with the name of my blog: funfreeMe, and showed me how and where to set up an LLC. Anyway, since then, I've had a tickling of something greater. MUCH GREATER. 

I didn't feel ready for IT (whatever it was), and Mastin told me that I can start anyway--that IT would unfold as a result of my starting the process. He also reminded me that we are never really ready, anyway, so I might as well just take a leap of faith and trust that the Uni-verse will lead and support me . . . I do know that whatever IT is, it has to be in synch with my dharma (purpose in life), aligned with my spirit, and of service for the benefit of others--- as Deepak Chopra writes.

After I 'fessed up that being nudged toward something different from traditional teaching has left me a bit apprehensive--not only 'cuz I'm not sure what IT is, but also because knowing WHAT THE DEAL IS, is always comforting. . . no surprises, right? That's how I've lived: safe, predictable, knowing the outcome.

Stepping into something different is kind of freaky, since many of us have gotten the message along the way that CHANGE IS SCARY. (Also, I'm 48 so that's freaky, too . . . ). On the other hand, why would life present us (you know, as in present, like a gift?) with opportunities if we weren't supposed to at least pay attention?

So--here's what might be trying to get my attention--btw, I'm not going to quit my amazing and fabulous teaching job; I just want to make sure I'm listening to the whisperings of the Uni-verse in case there is more to my dharma:

• creating a business around the content of my blog
• writing a book or an e-book
• becoming a spiritual consultant
• studying to become a kundalini yoga teacher--for kids!
• creating & spiritual curriculum and/or teaching coursework about creative, empowered living

Weird, even writing these ideas down and sharing them is kind of SPOOKY! -- but part of me sharing what has been tapping me on the shoulder for the past year or so makes me accountable.

Has anything been TAP, TAP, TAP, TAPPING on your shoulder lately? Share your experience by leaving us your story in the comments!

Blessings,
Dana

Give it to YOUrself first . . .

Me! (photoshopped a bit . . .)

One thing I've noticed in my own experience and in the lives of others, is that many us tend to try to get our needs met from the outside in. For me, this has proven to be a painful pattern. What that has meant for me in the past is that I've depended on the attention and actions of others to fill the spaces inside of me. What I learned to do was to either camouflage myself or turn into a chameleon--so I became what I thought others would approve of, like, or accept; this was how I maintained the illusion that I could control others, and this is how I lost sight of myself over and over in relationships. I gave up core parts of myself until there was seemingly nothing left of the real me--in me. 

As I write that, it sounds altogether miserable, and it truly is.  

Thing is, I didn't know any better until my recent past--I just didn't get that the only way I can fill myself up is with a loving relationship with myself and with my God. 

It's funny and strange to "awaken" in my mid-forties only to realize that one of my highest callings in this lifetime is to just be myself, to love myself, and to just be. This has called for some revolutionary changes on my part, and putting myself first has been the most transformational but also the most difficult, especially since I have put others before me for much of my life. This kind of giving, although I didn't know it at the time, was actually motivated by my need for others to need me, like me, approve of me, and depend on me---AND it's not healthy for anyone. But I didn't know . . .

It truly was not in my developmental capacity--until recently. But now I do know, and it's such a relief; the pressure's finally off, with no apologies (although I have had some guilt from time to time about putting myself first).

One of my mentor's once told me that I am the one who can meet my needs with amazing self-care, and I have found that to be so true. That doesn't mean I don't need other people, or that I can live independently, free from relationships. On the contrary! It actually means that my relationship with myself comes first, and then I can freely give to others from my heart with no expectations and with strings attached. One result is that my connections with others have deepened as a result of connecting with my own spirit.

How do connecting with yourself and Spirit deepen your relationships? Share your experience in the blog comments!

Lots of Love!

Dana

Trust the Timing of the Universe

“Even when you think you have your life all mapped out, 

things happen that shape your destiny

in ways you might never have imagined. ”

― Deepak Chopra

hEy aLL!

One thing that has been getting my attention lately is the fact that THINGS ARE NOT ON MY TIMELINE . . . (huh? I thought I was in cOnTrOL . . . not). I mean, I can have the best plans for any particular day, and then shIzzLe happens and what I thought my day was going to look like tOtaLLy changes@!!$%^

But that’s okay . . . I’ve learned to go with it . . . well, most of the time . . .

What’s nOt oKaY and what makes me absolutely mIserAbLe, is when I can’t go with the flow. In other words, I can’t be mAd at LiFe for not happening MY WAY (or the highway . . .) —which brings me back to . . .

LeTTinG Go . . .

gOiNg with tHe fLoW of mY beAutY-FULL LiFe

and LeTTinG Go(d)

(or the Universe)

be in charge

sToRy oPPorTunitY: One day two summers ago was going to be pretty complicated. I was supposed to have a meeting, pay bills, go to the doctor, bLaH.BlAH. bLaH! --and when I started feeling overwhelmed, I cancelled an appointment at 1:00 at my school so I could get some breathing room and hang with my kids. Well, in the morning my kids reminded me that they were going to help me set up my classroom anyway, (I teach 8th grade English - - -YeaH!). So, we headed to school.

Well, about a mile from my school, my engine light went on and my car jerked suddenly. My kids were freaking out, (and so was I . . . but they didn't know it, 'cuz I'm the grown up, right? and I can fake it . . .). I know that my oil change light started going on a couple of days ago, but I was secretly kind of ignoring it until my kids were with their dad (I don't like to run errands when I have my kids). Another thing that mad me anxious is that I didn't want to be late for dropping off my kids at their dad's (I hAte being Late!).

A few blocks away was an oil change station, and it happened to be three blocks from my school also, so I drove (heart beating . . . well, POUNDING!) into the station and told the guys that my light went on, and I needed an oil change.

Guess what! They were super nice, told me they would change the oil and do a diagnostic on my car and call me when they were done. Meanwhile, we walked to my school, set up my classroom, and I even got to meet my teaching partner for a few minutes!

So, here's what I was reminded of: The timing of the Universe is much better than mine. Here's why (note secret gratitude list that I actually said out loud in front of my kids):

• My light went on at the perfect time--
• not when I was traveling hundreds of miles last weekend
• not on the highway this morning
• but thankfully 1/2 mile from my school-
• I could take care of the oil change and get my schoolwork done
• I could walk to school with my kids
• I was able to meet with my teaching partner--aWeSomE!
• I was able to role model gratitude with my kids!
• My kiddos got to their dad's in time for lunch! Yeah! 

Funny thing--I actually would have been SUPER SMART to plan it JUST THE WAY IT ACTUALLY HAPPENED . . . but guess what? The timing still worked out perfectly without me being in charge of it! Thanks Universe!

WheW! I'm gonna stop working so hard . . .

HeArts to yOu!
SuPer LuCky giRl (aka dana)

Hmnnnn . . . that's a number . . .

06.12.17.

The Number

I had a synchronous event a month ago when I was picking up my dog Teddy from getting a furcut. A woman beside me was also picking up her dog, and she had her hoodie on inside out. Because I am true to my women-folk, I told her about it because it was something I myself would do, and because I would want someone--even a stranger--to tell me.

She laughed, and shared that she had just moved her family here and was in the middle of unpacking, and that she had picked it up off the floor and just put it on before rushing out the door to pick up her rather large pup.

I admitted that I, myself, had slept in my outfit, and we began to chat more as we walked outside.

No coincidence that we are both bloggers, and each of us in our own way blog about spirituality, and the human condition.

And she lives about 2 miles from me. Her name is Sheila Qualls and she has an amazing story. Read about it at SheilaQualls.com.

Hello new friend! Welcome to my tribe!

Anyway, as I read her blog this morning about weight, it resonated with a conversation I had almost 30 minutes earlier with one of my besties, Alana. Here's the backstory:

I had back surgery last fall and was down for about three months after experiencing severe sciatica to the point where I had been crawling around the house last summer for almost 4 months--I literally could barely walk. It was a huge blessing, but also entailed a huge recovery, and I missed my job as a teacher so so much.

Long story short, I have put on almost 20 pounds since my surgery.

There. I said it.

And my body feels weird and foreign (but thank you, God, pain free). That's the gratitude. Anyway, I finally weighed myself this morning, and even though I have lost about 5 pounds, when I was talking to my friend Alana, I shared the number with her almost like I was going to confession--with shame, and an expectation that I would be in the doghouse (don't know from whom . . .).

Shame is interesting.

But when I shared the honest number with her, she said, "Hmnnn . . . that's a number . . .". And that was it.

WHAT THE HE(LL)CK?

And she then was the most supportive and beautiful friend I have ever experienced. Love you, girl!

About a half an hour later, Sheila's blog showed up in my mailbox. Read here: Sheila Qualls. It's a blog about women, weight, the media, and shame.

Coincidence? I think not.

Can't wait to walk our dogs together tomorrow and deconstruct. What a gift! I am so grateful.

You R HeRe!

I have been doing a lot of thinking and reading lately about being present, and today I had kind of an AHA-moment (also known as an EPIHANY in the world of English literature . . . just ask my students about it . . . they are so sick of me bringing this up! . . . but they're really smart!)

Today I was feeling really happy! Yay! And I felt so so so so so so good. And, because I was so happy, I was friendly, and smiling, and chatty (and I assumed I am smart and capable, and everybody likes me, and oh!-- I am cute! JK! not).

And my AHA moment was when I realized TIME-BENDING.

I was so present, that my past and future dropped off. SO AWESOME!

For those of us who have spent much of our time in REGRET (pain around our past) and WORRY (pain around the future), TIME SEEMS FOREVER DAUNTING.

• we relive past pain
• we lose sleep
• we are up in our heads
• we feel fuzzy
• we are out of touch
• we make up stories in our heads and believe them
• we are not paying attention
• we are scared and nervous
• we are sad
• we keep re-wounding ourselves
• we continually beat on ourselves

I noticed today that when I give the players around me my full attention,
LIFE comes ALIVE; I am not breathing, but life breathes me.
And I am able to be in the moment, present with that which simply

IS,

holy in front of Me.

I AM (fully) HERE.

In my life, I have spent a lot of time and energy wishing:

• I was with someone else
• I was smarter, cuter BLAH BLAH BLAH
• my body was different
• I had more _____
• my past was different
• ANYTHING was different
• EVERY FREAKIN' thing was different

When my vibration is negative, I call in experiences, people, and events that mirror this vibration.

It's a HELL of a lot of "NO!"

When I celebrate and feel gratitude for all that is before me (even the total CRAP-aliscious CRAP), I bring in goodness and light. I celebrate the NOW.

It's a HEAVENLY "YES! ( & thank you ) . . ."

This, my superfriend, is an amazing shift. 

Where is your vibration? How can you command a HEAVENLY "YES"--even to the hard stuff?

Hugs,

Dana

Being Present

05.27.17.

I am at the lake for the weekend, and this morning I took Teddy for a super long doggy walk. I was trying to stay in my senses during the walk--and what I mean by that is smelling the delicious odors (especially the lilacs above), looking intentionally at the beautiful nature around me, and listening to the sounds of birds, the wind, and even cars.

Of course, it's not so easy to be in your senses when you are used to living in your head! I had to keep pulling myself out of my head and back down to Earth, but it's okay. I do it all the time.

When I got home I was pretty tired, and opened up my computer to a  message I get each morning from The Daily OM. I highly recommend it! 

The bottom line for me is that I want to become increasingly conscious. And while I have done things to sabotage that desire, I continually aspire to improve and move towards where I want to be. Here's what the blog written by GINA LAKE reminded me of, that resonated with my experience walking Ted:

Happiness is the natural outcome of being aligned with Essence, our true self, which is experienced when we are fully present in the moment. 

The key to happiness is being very awake and aware of what is really happening in every moment rather than being absorbed in thoughts about the past, the future, your life, other people, and the many other thoughts we tend to get lost in, which don't add to our life or enhance our experience of life but, rather, detract from the potential joy, peace, and contentment inherent in each moment. Happiness is in our control, since where we focus our attention is in our control. When we focus it on what the mind is telling us, we suffer; when we focus it on what is real and true in this moment, we experience happiness, joy, peace, and contentment. 

The present moment is all that exists, since the past and future are simply thoughts about the past and the future. But because we are programmed to pay attention to our thoughts, we often fail to notice what is actually going on now. Most people live in a mental world. When we drop out of this mental world into the Now, we experience a depth, a richness, and a joy and peace that feel sacred. This is the experience of our true self, or Essence. So, when we talk about being in the Now, we are also talking about this experience of Essence. 

Whatever you are doing, enjoy it! You have another option, of course, which is to not enjoy it. Notice what keeps you from enjoying whatever you are doing. It's your thoughts, isn't it? Even if you are experiencing pain, for instance, or something unpleasant, like going to the dentist, if you don't listen to any negative thoughts, fears, complaints, and desires related to that, you won't suffer. You will just have the experience. 

You can go through life this way if you want, but when you are not fully in contact with what you are doing, you miss out on the potential joy and pleasure in an experience. Any experience can be interesting, since you have never had it before. And any experience can be enjoyed, because when you immerse yourself in it, you lose the false self (the sense of I or me) and discover the true self, which is always enjoying life. Essence is always in-joy. And from Essence's standpoint, every moment is an opportunity to serve life and love, which is another source of joy. What if you approached each moment as an opportunity to experience, serve, or love? 

Let Go . . .

The Universe has got my back.

05.26.17.

Hey! Happy Memorial Day Weekend--

Lately, I have been stretching myself a lot. Specifically, I am opening myself to the possibility of a career move. 

Scary.

Surrender, Dorothy!

But (secretly), I am exhilarated. Although I have tried to avoid change my whole life ('cuz I want to feel safe, damn it!), I think change is super exciting.

While I used to cling to safety in relationships, and in my life circumstances - - I have been reminded lately that I am my best in change.  

And the Universe rewards me when I am open to it. As a matter of fact, I approach change with curiosity, respect, and wonder. 

What will life offer me that

I would have never imagined for myself?

It's a great place to be . . .

And I always get feedback about my open stance toward life! 

Here's the message from the Universe that I received this morning from tut.com:

Release me, Dana, release me to do your will, to move heaven and earth, to orchestrate the players and summon the circumstances that will change your life completely, by doing your all out best with today. 

That's all the leg-up I need,

    The Universe

I did my best today, and I am grate(great)ful!

Happy holiday!

everYthIng iS oN pUrPosE . . .

****************************************************

beware...the content of this blog may apply to gRowN uPs ;)

****************************************************

One thing I have said to my own kids and my students, too, is that: 

everything happens for a reason. 

We may not always know the lessons in the stuff that happens to us, and that's because we sometimes get so caught up and attached to what WE WANT TO HAPPEN! 

In other words, WE WANT CONTROL, RIGHT????

FLASHBACK to my chubby, freckly, middle-school self: 

I can remember trying to get other kids to like me or be nice to me. That sounds so weird to me as I write it down as a grown up (although I must admit I still catch myself doing it!!!! YIKES! Please don't tell anyone!)

STORY:

In 6th grade, I remember "liking" a boy named Kenny (last name to remain anonymous... shout out to Kenny if you're reading my blog!), and I wanted him to "go" with me (whatever that means in middle school...). I gave him, like, over 20 packs of gum, wrote notes to him, took ridiculous detours through my school so I would see him between classes, and lots of other cRaZy stuff.
...what we do for love... ;)

GUESS WHAT?... Kenny never "liked" me back :(  sad face  and, of course, in my mind I made up that it was because I was chubby and freckly (he never told me that, though--he barely talked to me at all)!   DANG!@@#^%&% . . . that was a lot of gum . . .

ANOTHER STORY:

I know you can all relate---like, for example, thinking:

If I keep kissing butt to the kids who (I think) don't like me . . .

• maybe they'll stop treating me like crap
• maybe they'll quit taking my stuff or copying off my homework
• or even stop hating me on Facebook
• or at the very least maybe they will LEAVE ME THE HE(LL)CK ALONE! 
• (I can remember actually praying about this one as a kid...)

When I was really in a fantasy land, the stuff I made up in my head was even more wishful--like, for example, thinking:

• maybe they'll invite me to their lunch table (that's a huge one!!!!)
• maybe I'll get to go to one of their sleepovers
• maybe we could go to sUmMeR CaMp together!

You get the picture, right? 
Trying to manage what other people think or feel about us is living from the OUT:SIDE IN. Living from the OUT:SIDE IN is, quite frankly, a butt load of work. But here's the good news:

You can relax... (actually, take a deep breath now! I am controlling you! LOL!)

Living from the IN:SIDE OUT, not the OUT:SIDE IN, is much easier! And, (top secret information) even some of GrOwN uPs don't know this...but you can share it with them, if you think they are ready...

What I know now, is that I can't get other people to like me, be nice to me, or anything else! My job is to be myself (who, BTW, is very likable!), like myself,  and surround myself with others who like me for me. I don't actually have to DO anything; just Be myself. Whew!

I wish I would have known this stuff earlier...(which is one awesome reason I started this blog, really).

Actually, knowing now that this stuff is just plain out of my control is such a relief! 

And guess what? I get to relax, enjoy myself, and just be the best person/mom/teacher/friend/partner I can be... and I think I actually do a better job of all those things when I am not freaking out trying to control things on the OUT:SIDE all the time!!!!!

Let it Rain . . . Let it Be . . .

“For after all,

the best thing one can do

when it is raining

is let it rain.” 

―Henry W. Longfellow

This morning as I was driving to work it began to rain. I noticed that I felt calm and comforted--almost relieved--by the soft falling drops on my windshield. I didn't even turn my wipers on, and I opened my window to feel the wet spring raindrops in my hand. Amazing!

I've always loved rainy days. 

There's something, well, snuggled in about rainy days . . . (and snow days, too). They sort of give us permission to turn within, take care of ourselves, and listen to our inner whisperings.

I was reminded of a sunny day one summer when I was walking around Lake Harriet with my daughter, Chloe:

We had gotten about half-way around the lake, when a light rain shower began. It actually cooled us down very nicely, and Chloe and I just kept walking, hand-in-hand.

I remember smiling at the other people who were walking around the lake-- a knowing smile, like we were the lucky ones to experience this soft hum of rain on a hot summer afternoon.

Then, it started to rain harder . . . and harder. I noticed those who were walking started very quickly toward their cars, and people who were biking, rollerblading, or running--alone, in pairs, or with their pets--began to go faster and faster to get safely out of the wet rain.

I wasn't sure what to do . . . Chloe and I were still almost a mile and a half away from the car. We both started to complain to one another, and then we went under a tree for some shelter from the rain--and then something in me shifted. As I watched people scatter to get out of the rain, I realized Chloe and I really had no choice but to finish our walk around the lake . . . IN THE WET, COOL, AMAZING RAIN.

And, we could either complain about it and continue in complete misery, or we could step out and  fully experience and celebrate the gift of rain.

"This is awesome!" I laughed. "Now we don't have to take baths tonight!" I winked at Chloe, pulled her out from the under the shelter of the tree, and we skipped out into the rain.

We jumped in puddles, sang songs about rain, raced and ran in the downpour--and noticed people smiling at our ridiculous antics.  

Forty minutes later, we arrived at our car TOTALLY drenched and thrilled. There is grace in simply accepting WHAT IS, and I learned something about shifting my thoughts that day (even though I didn't realize it until this morning) . . . these moments happened organically, and come from a place larger than our egos; they emerge from deep within our spirit, the place that knows the this truth: We are born to experience joy, and that depends on how WE choose to experience life--ALL OF IT. 

Thank GO(o)D(ness).

How have you shifted your perspective and experienced joy? How have you accepted the moment for WHAT IS?

Lucky us,
;) Dana 

Ask and We Shall Receive . . .

05.09.17

This morning at school I was talking to my good friend and colleague, Tara (yo girl!), about some new health habits we would both like to commit to . . . and we decided that we are going to drink more water, cuz I usually drink coffee and tea--which sometimes leaves me headachy at the end of my workday.

I went to get some water from the staff lounge, and I put my $1.25 in the machine and as I pushed the button for water, I thought to myself: 

I wonder how many bottles of water 

I need to drink each day while I'm at work? 

The machine rumbled a bit, and one bottle of water was sent down to the opening . . . followed by a second bottle . . . followed by a third !  All for the PRICE OF ONE!

Guess that was my answer! Three bottles of water each day. And 333 is my magic number!

Coincidence? Of course not. Time for a water break. 

Thanks, Universe!

Love, Dana

Love Be-ing A TeacHer!

I'm so lucky to be a teacher!

hEy tHeRe!

Many teachers and kids do the countdown to summer toward the end of the school year--so excited for summer, right? Well;, I'm at work this morning as an 8th grade English teacher at Valley Middle School and guess what?

I LOVE IT!

I mean, what could be better than 

hanging out with kids all day?

(the groWn-Ups are okay, too, I guess . . . LOL!)

Honestly, I feel super lucky and blessed to have a job I love, and to tell the truth, teaching actually found mE. Here's the super no-coincidence story:

Once upon a time in my twenties after college, I was in my room late at night reading a college course catalog (yes, I was working at a department store in the mall with a 4-year degree, living at home with my parents . . . and that's okay . . . I just didn't have a direction, or a focus, and I wasn't sure what to do with my life, hence the college course catalog). I turned a page open and vwah-lah (is that how you spell it?), out popped a section in the catalog for a teaching license program for English (which was my degree in college).

I was like WHOA! COOL! I could be a teacher! and looked farther down the page. I needed two letters on reference from college professors, a copy of my college transcript, an essay explaining my interest in the program, and a filled-out application form. Not a problem, really . . . but then I looked at the deadline: 

iT was 

DuE the

vEry nExT dAy at 5:00 p.m.

I didn't know it at the time, but this was one of the very first times I felt the Universe leveraging itself for me. I knew I was going to be a teacher after I saw this program, and I knew I was going to meet the deadline.  

So, I stayed up all might long writing my essay and filling out the application, and in the morning right away, I called two of my favorite professors the and asked for references THE VERY SAME DAY. They agreed! (of course) . . . 

That very same day (fewer than 24 hours since I had read about the program), I headed down to the University of Minnesota with my application; I picked up the references from my two professors; I went to the transcript office and got an authorized copy of my college grades; AND, I hand-delivered my entire application at (you guessed it!) around 4:55 p.m.

I made the deadline!

Anyway, that is the story of the beginning of my love affair with teaching. I feel so blessed to be a teacher and to have a job that I absolutely adore. Deepak Chopra, in his Seven Laws of Spiritual Success describes The Law of Dharma in this way:

"Everyone has a purpose in life . . . a unique gift or special talent to give to others. And when we blend this unique talent with service to others, we experience the ecstasy and exultation of our own spirit, which is the ultimate goal of all goals."

Do you think your work is connected to your dharma?

Let's continue tomorrow!

Blessings!

Dana