NEW DAY!

First, be sure to read the post under this one about making up ZEROS!  That is vital, and I didn't want you to miss it!

OK, here goes:

Are you feeling a little weary?  Frustrated?  Burned out?  Well, TODAY IS A NEW DAY! 

After much thought and in taking pen to paper, I have decided to CHANGE! (Thank you, Bryan! Muah!)  I have to be at my best for each of you (and my beautiful and AMAZING Curbi), and no one has to tell me I've been slipping - physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  I blame it on me, and I am going to take the steps to fix it before it's too late (we still have three weeks of school left).

I certainly cannot control my circumstances, but I can alter the way I plan and go about my day. Here's the plan (and I'm expecting you all to hold me to it):

I can't change that I have to read TWO novels for our classes, so I promise to read ahead of time, not wait until the night before.  I will have WAW read one night in advance, and TGG will be done the DAY before I meet with you 11th graders. 'Nough said!

In doing that alone, I know I will sleep more. Even still, I promise to give my body (and mind) at least 6 hours of rest a night (but I will truly aim for 7).   I'm also not drinking enough water (which might explain the dizziness, nausea, and heart palpitations yesterday...along with fatigue), so I promise to drink 90 oz. per day.  Eating is an issue, too (not doing it enough and not eating enough), so it's back to peanut butter at 9-ish (that table in first period is just going to have to deal with it), and an apple (or orange) around 1!  And with that said, I promise to cook at least two nights a week (until summer...then it's 5 times), and I will exercise at least 3 times a week.

The good news is that if I take care of the aforementioned issues, it is likely I will feel emotionally and spiritually stronger too!  I am a little loca, and much of that will never change, but I promise to be better.  More than anything, I need to kick Fear's butt.  Too much fear is never good.  I haven't even felt like going back to school (my Doctorate) because I fear I won't be good enough.  Don't say, "Awwww, poor C-Rod!"  In my heart and in the deepest parts of my being, I KNOW "I GOT THIS"!  But for whatever reason, my mind is playing tricks on me.  I'm going to fix that.  I promise to be in that Doctoral regalia at 2014's graduation.  God knows I will beaming with pride watching you strut across that stage, but I want you to be able to look up on stage and see me all decked out and know we made it TOGETHER.   Therefore, I will register for my Fall classes MONDAY (they're my last two), and I will work on my dissertation (and study for my qualifying exam) at least six hours a week beginning June 11th!

OK, so now this is where you come in.  I want you to create a list of changes you want to make so you can be a better you (if you feel there is room for improvement).  However, you must be specific!  Don't just say, "I will get more rest."  Say, "I will sleep 7 hours a night."  Don't say, "I want to earn a 'A'."  Say, "I vow to do EVERY homework assignment."   In addition, create some short-term and long-term goals.  Feel free to post your goals here, and we will hold each other to it!  Today is a NEW DAY, so let's do it!  Just think - how amazing is it that God makes everything anew each morning, and allows us to end it the way we choose?  Crazy crap is going to happen, but if our minds, bodies and spirits are at their prime, we will be able to handle it better!!!!!!  Remember, life is 10% of what happens to you, and 90% how you deal with it.

Love you all, and thank you for being so patient with me.  I, too, am still evolving as a human being (and, truthfully, it never stops).

As always, SMILE :)

Don't forget to read the post under this one about making up ZEROS!  I don't want you to miss it!