It is still August 1st on the left coast. Yeah, yeah. I know it has been a while since I posted. I was waiting until August 1st intentionally. You know the drill: new month, fresh start, another chance to get it right. Blogging is like fishing. I can leave it for long stretches at a time, but the words and ideas always reel me back in.
It is no secret to my longtime readers that I shut down during times of stress and duress. The end of the school year was arduous, and I have had the summertime blues ever since. Record heat has been searing Las Vegas most of the summer and zapping every particle of energy I already do not possess, yet I know I need and want to write. Likewise, I know what you are thinking. What the hell is she doing? Educators have nothing to do in the summer. She should be posting all day every day. I bet she’s boozing and napping it up. I am the first to admit that I do not do much during the summer, proudly proclaiming it time for the five R’s: reading, relaxing, rejuvenating, reflecting, and refocusing.
Reading for enjoyment is one of my guilty pleasures of each summer. While I have not read as much fluff as I would have liked, I have curled up with more books than I have in ages. I have reviewed more informational texts than I have in years. And, by reviewed, I am not referring to reading up on and watching all seasons of True Blood and Vampire Diaries; however, I have done that too. Escapism for the win.
Relaxing has been easier since summer school ended. If it requires pants or a bra before noon, it is probably not happening. Without a doubt, sleep solves every thing.
Rejuvenating the body is as simple as eating the right foods and drinking lots of water. Rejuvenating the spirit is still a work in progress. My plan is to write more about this during the coming month of posts.
Reflecting equals asking myself many important questions (like those in this poster). Yes, there will be more posts based on my self-reflection and goal setting.
Refocusing is where I am today. After a summer of soul searching to uncover my true desires, I am attempting to examine my priorities and set some realistic and attainable goals. The idealist in me is ever hopeful that the coming school year will open many doors for me. I know that Opportunity is listening, and I am knocking.
I love your inspirational post. I am retired from teaching school so I can work on your five R’s on a full-time basis. Lately, I have not done my best at some of these.
I’ve been working hard this summer to prepare for teaching three new classes (in addition to my regular classes). So I feel like I haven’t really even had a summer. But I’m going to really get my head in the game for the new school year. I’ve got two weeks!
I am a firm believer in those 5Rs. Sounds like you have had a good summer and I hope you can achieve what you want this year. Someone asked earlier this week, “What do you want your obiturary to read?” or What do you want your legacy to be, and it helped me narrow down what goals were really important to me.
I’ve worked hard at personal goals, including health goals. This summer was special; I celebrated teaching a full year and doing so successfully. The previous year was cut short due to a lengthy medical leave of absence. The five Rs are good ways to refresh mentally and physically, and then be ready to teach full strength in the fall.