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Day 26: Being Kind and Gentle

It is going to be hot this weekend.  Did I mention that in my last post?
Did I also mention I dislike hot weather?
I love cloudy, drizzly and 60-70. Yup, I love Portland!

So, I teach all day today in a big, old stuffy church. 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Then I am doing an extra choir practice for the choir I accompany. Our beloved director has broken his arm, and I want us to be as independent and prepared with our parts as possible. So all he has to do is smile and wave his good arm!

It is the 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Community Music Center, where I teach piano and accompany the Francis Street Singers. Our concert is tomorrow. 

It is going to be 91 degrees.

Did I mention I hate the heat?

Oy.

So I woke up this morning and decided it was time to be nice to myself.  There is a lot of tension in the air on hot days.  There was a lot of tension surrounding the music center, preparing for a concert. 

I reminded them it is a celebration.

Now I need to remind myself that this is a celebration. Of life.  I can start with me. And maybe I will encourage others.

So, instead of hopping out of bed and aggressively getting into my exercise with my tired, sore bod, I stayed in a bed for 30 minutes and pulled out a DVD I found at the library. It is called "Carol Dickman's Bed Top Yoga: Simple Stretches & Yoga Techniques You Can Do In Bed". 

I like this serendipity! :)  ("Serendipity" means "luck that takes the form of finding valuable or pleasant things that are not looked for" ~ http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serendipity

What a wise and wonderful decision this was!  Gentle stretching, breathing, acceptance of self. More of this need I!

Then I floated out of bed and took a nice brisk 1 mile walk on the trail, showered and made a healthy lunch.

And I feel good. Happy. Balanced. Positive.

Now I am off to breakfast with my mom.

90 degree weather, bring it on. I can take it! :)

Happy Saturday!

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