Soul Runnings

I had a day of pampering and relaxation yesterday. I started out with a late morning stroll to breakfast at the Wichita Pub.  I stopped in at the beauty salon a few doors down and asked if they had time for a haircut. I told them I was off to breakfast first and could be back in an hour. "Yes!" said a very friendly lady about my age. She asked me my name. "Zita", I smiled. The whole salon stared at me. I figured they had never heard such a unique name. I waved goodbye and headed over for a lovely breakfast of eggs, Oktoberfest sausage, hash browns and black coffee. True confession time. I had toast!  I know, I am supposed to be gluten free. But I read that sourdough bread is probiotic because it is made with fermented dough. I REALLY wanted toast.  I rationalized that it would be an experiment. Oh man. That toast! Dripping with butter, dipped in egg yolk. I was in heaven! I just hoped I didn't pay for it later. I sat and enjoyed my coffee, listenin...

This morning I am starting again. Again! I am going to start doing my stats on Friday.  Monday is usually a blue day, and after the weekend, I do not want to face the scale! Friday I do not work at my church office job in the morning. I have more time in my day. I want to start recording my hula hooping.  It is rather embarrassing. I certainly could never to a hula hoop fitness tape! It is just me, looking goofy. But hey, I did 300 rotations this morning! Don't worry, I won't bore you with the whole hoop session. Just 30 rotations. I want to try and do it every day. To show a progression. I am, after all a living project I have already notice a difference in my measurements after hooping daily for a few weeks. And I saw a young lady on Youtube record her dramatic daily transformation at the gym. And most inspired was I! So here it is, Day 1 Hooping! And my stats: June16,2017 11:30 a.m. Mood: 6 (On a scale of 1-10, 1 being severely depressed...

 I am still grumpy and tired.  But I made myself get up this morning and do a brisk walk (in the rain!) 3/4 mile to the gas station for some hot, strong, bitter, black coffee.  It helped. The rain helped too.  I do a lot of thinking when I walk. And I am still carrying some negativity with me over some not so pleasant encounters. Mostly I am mad at myself for not rising above. For internalizing the negativity and letting it eat away at my soul... (Most dramatic am I!) So the rain pelting on my head was perfect. It reflected that state of my soul.  Then I put in my headphones to drown out my inner critic and boom! The men on the radio were speaking my inner thoughts!  Synchronicity at it's best! This is what I posted on Facebook this morning: "I listened to the Markley and Van Camp Show this morning on KXL radio on my morning walk. They were talking about the shooting targeting Republicans at the baseball practice yesterday in Alexandria, VA. I liked...

PPD (Post Performance Depression)  I knew it would happen! It always does! I put my heart and soul into a performance. Plus the countless hours practicing. And worrying. This time I think I crammed too much. I should have mastered this music weeks ago. Such a procrastinator am I! So needless to say, I woke up this morning feeling like I had a hangover and had been run over by a truck. A semi-truck.  Over and over again! I allowed myself to sleep in. No walk. No run. No coffee. Oy, but I regret the no coffee now! But I did hula hoop: 220 rotations! I made it to my office job on time. I put the flowers the choir gave me last night in a little vase with water.  They are cheering me up.  I do not regret my hangover. I just do need to remember to pace myself next time around.  Back to daily practice instead of cramming! (I was guilty of being a crammer-style studier in college too. Old habits die hard!) Speaking of habits, I am dealing with ...

Wow. I really don't know if I have words.  Imagine that? It is 10:30 p.m. Tuesday evening. I just got home a bit ago from the end of the year choir concert at the music center. It was incredible! Especially since the whole group, including myself was rather insecure about our parts up until last night when I led a sectional for the altos. But we pulled it together. Our director was his usual vivacious self.  It was pure magic the way we came together. During warmups he complimented us, expressing amazement at how good the group sounded. One of the altos piped up, "It was because of Zita!" They all laughed. But my heart was warmed. I won't go into detail. I am tired. And close to tears. Performance does this to me. But it is good. We received thunderous applause after our performance.  The director and I were given flowers.  The choir gave me a card with $ in it which I will put towards my grandma car!  I will be able to buy it soon. Thank God, beca...

Last night's piano recital was a huge success! Best ever! I say this each time, and each time I mean it! I have a nice system that really helps things run smoothly. Especially since I had 48 students performing!! Thankfully, I also had a stellar office staff person at the music center that I usually work with at these events.  He is very supportive and calm. He has worked with me numerous times before, so he knows the ropes.  We are a great team. I had several moments last night, when I had to wipe away tears.  I really live for these recitals.  I strive to make recitals comfortable and fun for all of my students. I have had many compliments from family and friends of students.  They are amazed that my students willingly go up on stage. Some of them leap on stage with joy! I am constantly amazed myself! I have done something right in my life!  Many memories have been made at my student recitals. However, some students suffer performance an...

I stopped at the library to pick up some books by Henri Nouwen I had on hold.  I am so excited about this evening! I love sitting on stage by my students, listening to put their hearts into their music.  It is difficult to hold back the tears. Piano recitals. This is why I teach. I love to be instrumental in releasing the music of my students. And healing my past.  I had a lot of anxiety surrounding performance. I am a little anxious. I get a bit nervous before performance still. Even if I am not the one performing!  Plus, being in the spotlight in front of an auditorium of parents, family, and friends.  My social anxiety kicks in. But then I remind myself why I am here. I breathe. And I enjoy the moment. It's going to be ok. It always is. I will check back in with you when I get home tonight.  Peace, Zita