Every day counts

Every day counts. If I only live for the weekend, what am I living for? I am still there every moment of every work day. What can I learn in those moments? How can I grow as a person? What can I study? What weird skill could I acquire? Instead of doom-scrolling, I can learn the selling-points and purposes of everything my employer is selling. I can understand the business that employs me - I am getting an inside scoop. You could casually study the psychology of your cubicle compatriots and consider how to make them feel more alive. And do it your way - stop worrying so much about what the “consensus” says about how to make people happy. You know how to make people happy… do it the way you do on accident.

Your way of doing things is the best way of doing them - for you. And my way of doing things is the best way of doing them - for me. I need to stop worrying so much about how other people do things… if those ways don’t make sense for my reality.

I sometimes feel guilty if I don’t make the most of my “free time.” But is not all of my time free? Perhaps someone is currently giving me money to complete a certain task. A job may demand a lot of focus or it may be entirely mindless. But it is my choice to take it or leave it, depending on the pros and cons. Jobs give us lots of things - financial security, friendship, unique skills, great stories, life purpose… In all of my freest time, I work. I study, read, sing, write, exercise, dance, cook, and dream. These are all things I can do as a teacher. I am there every moment of my “work day” and can freely choose how to aim my thoughts.

I see everything from the frame I’m in. When confronted with a situation, I attempt to remember my own feelings from when I was that person in that situation. I empathize with my past self in order to empathize with others. To understand how others think, we need to practice empathy.

And it takes practice. It isn’t always easy.

It feels impossible in some cases.

Impossibility won’t stop me from dreaming.

I’m dreaming of a better world;

A world filled with just a touch more love, joy, and peace.

I’m living for that dream.