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Year Four, Day 302: A Single Step

 "The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao Tzu


My online piano lesson setup



Hi Friends!

My man and I sat down at a corner coffee shop the other day and actual wrote out a hypothetical daily schedule. I was so happy! But I tried to contain myself. People like me get super excited about planning our days in advance. I like having a structure of daily required activities.  I do leave room for flexibility.

Once I have my schedule, I can breathe. I can also be creative within that structure.

What do I do daily?  I teach piano.  I make my bed. Do laundry for the household. I shower.  I pray. I plan meals. (For the time being, I only make one big meal a week at my son's house.  Then I package up portions for everyone in attendance. The original goal was to help them with meals since the birth of my newest grandchild, Aria. But everyone is really enjoying these Sunday meals, including me! So they will continue.  This Sunday we're making homemade fish and chips, with a beerless batter - for my son's diet).

What do I do several days a week?

I workout at the gym, usually with my son. If I don't get time for a gym workout, I walk, stretch and hoop. 

I visit with my man, family and friends.

I blog (sometimes even daily!)

I play the piano, for work and pleasure! I accompany a choir at the music center where I teach. I practice their accompaniment. I practice my student's pieces, especially if they are quite advanced. And I work on tunes I'd like to karoake.

About that. Karaoke. I am being a big chicken.  I have a few songs I think I can sing decently, but I am nervous about going up to the DJ! I have a lot of shyness still left over from childhood.  I have overcome quite a bit socially. Being a teacher and musician has helped enormously. 

Conversations still make me nervous.  Even conversations with loved ones.  I have to breathe deeply through my nose and out my mouth to stay in the present moment. 

I'm a work in progress!

It's the first step that is the hardest.  What is that saying?

Oh yes:

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step." Lao Tzu

I like this so much, I think I will use it as my heading today! :) And, gulp, even more courageously, I shall actually apply this to real life!  I have been practicing my karaoke songs, but I have not made the first step towards the DJ.

My sweet man said he will walk up there with me next time.  Next time begin next Thursday.  I will keep you posted!

So, I came on today to talk about scheduling. And I ended up talking about karaoke.  See! I have a structure to my blogging, just like real life! But I love when I get sidetracked!  Blogging is like that for me. I have a general idea about what I want to tell ya'll when I sit down, but soon my fingers are typing as if they have a mind of their own. Thoughts and feeling come out of my soul, through my brain and outta my fingers like magic!

And I always come away with a new perspective.

Today I am a bit rambly.  Today is a bit of a day off. On Fridays, I usually just teach two brothers for 1 1/2 hours altogether. Lately I come up to the library afterwards to check out books and movies. And blog. It is a nice little routine.  

Remind me next time to talk about my online piano lessons. I think I finally discovered a near perfect solution! But I do need to sign off soon. I'm tired and hungry. And there is a young man, talking loudly to himself at the computer about his "inalienable rights". Those are the only coherent words I can pick up. The library staff stopped by a few minutes ago and asked him to leave. They said he was kicked out of another library yesterday for being aggressive with staff. 

He is refusing to leave.  Not sure if it's about to get ugly. But I think I'll play it safe.  I'm looking forward to a relaxing evening.  

I have a date to stay home with my man, watch movies and eat munchies.  I may also knit some hats. And finish reading that Stephen King book I picked up a few weeks ago. 

And maybe practice my karaoke songs.


Days off are super cool!


Happy Friday!

Love,


Zita


Day 7: Son and Mom workout

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