10 percent change

Towards creativity:
Post something every day. It doesn't have to be good. It doesn't have to be substantial. It doesn't have to make me feel better or impact anyone else, it just has to be new, and it has to keep coming. Also, guys, the comments have to go. Nothing personal. It's just gotta be all mine. Send me e-mails instead.

Towards family:
This one's tough. How to increase 10 percent when I'm already 50 percent in the hole? A card. A phone call. Say something I'm afraid to say. Yeah... start there.

Towards quality relationships:
Go somewhere completely new once a month. Alone if necessary. Instead of going to that place with the crowd full of emotional baggage, find a new place with new people. Not every time. Just once a month.

Two weeks ago I did "personal and professional alignment," which I shrugged off as bunk, but I was impressed by my manager's "10 percent changes" (ie. once a week, have lunch w/husband).

Last Friday, I engaged in "art therapy" with four relatively new people. Refreshing. We collaged, and I slept well.

Today was beautiful and cold. I wore my new jacket. I sat on a blanket in the sun and we had "work" outside while action planning for the week.

I saw a friend I don't see often enough.

I bought a new suit!

I went through the entire cycle of grief in one instant messenger conversation: shock, denial, anger, depression, acceptance, and finding a good listener. (I like to keep my small silly personal tragedies brief, concise, and fully documented.)

And tomorrow marks the first time since I stopped teaching and started working for an education non-profit that I get to go into a SCHOOL. First to a class of 12th graders, then to a 3rd grade class. Yep, in the suit.

And since I don't know how to end this, it will just end.