The Sunrise Story

Week #5 Reflection #1 Unplugged for an hour a day.  Lots of unplugged time. I signed up for an art class. Spending time being mindful...finding the quiet and preparing for the art is a heavenly way to spend time unplugged. I wonder if this nerdlution helped me find the courage to sign up for this class.  #2 Acts of kindness. These continue to feel more normal. Today I brought in a special treat for a friend. On the ride to school I was BELTING out a good song and grinning from ear to ear...I turned and looked at the car next to me and the driver was laughing and smiling. I made him happy with my silliness. That's a job well done.  How Nerdlution going for you? Share your joys and successes as well as your stumbles and revisions. I can't wait to read your posts. Thank you for stopping by and please share this blog! Invite others to share their reflections in comments! Now you...write a post at your blog.  Remind us what your nerdlutions ...

Week #4 Reflection Can it be Thursday already? My week is beginning today as I traveled to Massachusetts unexpectedly for my grandfather's funeral.  Grammy & Papa on their honeymoon in Florida Grammy & Papa with me at my first communion celebration! I'm all turned around. Here's my quick reflections for today... #1 Unplugged for an hour a day.  Lots of unplugged time and lots of reading and writing this past week. I've been doing much better with praying everyday too. I credit the book recommendation from  Ruth Ayres . I'm loving Whispers of Hope and reading it every morning. Thanks, Ruth! #2 Acts of kindness. Travel gave me lots of new opportunities for acts of kindness. I noticed how taken aback people were when I stopped, looked them in the eye and said, "Thank you. Have a nice day." Our world moves SOOOO fast..simple moments like that are rare. I must confess, I felt like this week I've received more acts...

Third reflection blog post about Nerdlution! #1 Unplugged for an hour a day.  Sigh. Last week I miserably failed at the one hour thing. I've been conscious of using technology and that's a positive change. I know I haven't done well when I need to check to see what my other nerdlution is. Life certainly "got in the way" of focusing on this goal. Snow day tomorrow...I'll make up for it!  #2 Acts of kindness. So many to count...this makes me so happy! Last week I took the day off on Friday (the first personal day I've taken in...I can't remember how long) to prepare for the Women's Retreat. Our church sponsored a retreat this past weekend and over thirty women attended. So many opportunities to spread kindness...notes in joy jars, gifts of notebooks, special gift for the woman who organized it all, lots & lots of hugs! Kindness seeping out of me and around me!  How Nerdlution going for you? Share your joys and successes as well a...

Second reflection blog post about Nerdlution! I confess that I've slipped a bit...no, not slipped....things haven't gone the way I planned.  The good news is I feel like I've made some big changes to incorporate my nerdlutions...as a daily life practice.  Nerdlution #1: Unplugging for an hour a day I changed my iPhone plan and drastically cut my data plan. I don't need to be on Facebook & Twitter all day long. Spending too much money on something that's draining and not adding to my life was a change that was long overdue. Now, I'm thoughtful and conscious when I use the internet on my phone. It's a hard change! Much harder than I'd like to admit. It's worth it. BUT, I have not consciously taken an hour everyday. I've made choices to decrease wasted time, but I haven't used that hour like I did the first week. I loved it. I want to get back to that! (Again, this is one of my favorite things about Nerdlution. Changes occur, just...

Four days into Nerdlution: The Sequel and things are going well. I am happy...happier with my nerdlution choices this time. I have two nerdlutions: 1. Practice Random Acts of Kindness daily 2. Spend one uninterrupted hour unplugged As with the beginning of the first round, I'm focused and motivated...but it feels different this time...more natural? No. Easier? No. I've been searching for right words to describe the difference I'm feeling and I can't...yet. The words will come.   Random Acts of Kindness Being conscious about being kind and showing kindness really makes a difference. I'm more thoughtful when I make choices. I think about people who need to be shown kindness and try and focus there. I've been tracking my RAKs on my phone. Oh, I forgot...I shared a Kid President video with my students and challenged them to respond.  I'm excited about what they will do.  The thing about RAKs...they really come back... Unplugged ...

Sharing my slice of life (#sol14) over at  Two Writing Teachers.    Please join us! To celebrate my birthday last week, I decided to practice random acts of kindness. Lately, gratitude has become a conscious and daily practice in my life and I am feeling the changes. I feel more grateful for all of my blessings. This made me want to share this feeling...so I decided to do just that.  I made a plan. I mapped out potential random acts that I could do. I even researched them online to get ideas. Then, I started. For a while, I struggled with what "counted" and then I decided that it didn't matter. If it was kind and I made a decision to behave that way...it counted. No matter how big or small. I also decided that I wanted to keep this goal separate from spending money (mostly). I wanted to show that it's not about money, it's about choices and perspective and sharing kindness and goodness.  My first act was a letter to my mom. It was a simple note sayi...

Nerdlution was quite a learning experience for me. I learned things about myself and my approach to new projects. Unfortunately, some of my bad habits resurfaced.  Nerdlution: The Sequel was something I dreaded. I thought about skipping it and then I thought about why. I know why. I didn't complete my nerdlution goals all fifty days during the first round. One goal, I barely touched. I feel like I failed. My typical reaction to failure is avoidance. Whew! That's quite a confession, but oh so true. And I want that to change...so I'm back...to try again. Risking it another time!  With some time to reflect, I realize that the goals may not have been accomplished all fifty days, but I did learn some things about myself and my habits. That alone is success.  Nerdlution: The Sequel affords me the opportunity to try again. That's quite a gift. Here I am...with two goals to accomplish and some plans on how to keep track and succeed.  Nerdlution: The Sequel Goal...