Taking on the Challenge

Today I was inspired by an amazing woman who possesses the tenacity I've longed for in myself.  I've always admired her. 

She has taken on a "One a Day" challenge - one which is certain to transform.  I chose to join her in that endeavor and will be doing my own one a day.  I will do each of these things every day for 30 days.  I suppose I can say that I will spend ONE hour each day on these...or work until it's accomplished, whichever comes first. 

1.  I will read something worthy of my time in addition to God's word, daily.
2.  I will do something active daily for 30 days. 
3.  I will do something creative daily (photography, poetry, writing, other arts)
4.  i will organize SOMETHING in my home, car or classroom daily for 30 days.

Today was day one...I did them all.  Compelled by what to keep my word to myself, I don't know.  But, within the process I found a part of myself that I'd been missing. 

1.  I'm reading books from my students' reading lists this summer so that when school resumes, I can discuss whichever book each child chose to read.  Today I read Uprising, about the Triangle Factory Fire (though it's fiction).  I'm enjoying getting some history in with an interesting tale of young ladies who represent actual lives that might have been affected by this tragedy.  In addition, I had a special answer to prayer during my time with God today.  ...more on that in a separate post.

2.  It doesn't sound like much, but I spent time cleaning my house today as my "something active."  I got a lot done.  It's nice to look around and see that not only was I not my previously lazy self, but I now have a nicer space in which to live.

3.  Before writing this entry, I wrote a more creative metaphoric piece.  I'm not especially proud of it...well, not at all really...however, it is the first creative something I've done in a long while.  I have a lot to write this summer for school next year...poems, stories, and songs for my students about our various science topics.  So, I suppose this was a decent enough starting point....we'll see how it goes.

4.  Organization is something I did WELL today.  I re-organized several kitchen cabinets and got my "new food" put away...more on THAT in a separate post, too. 

Life is better when one has a challenge to meet and isn't simply taking up air, existing.  So, I owe my inspiration a giant THANK YOU. 

Don't know if she'll read this, but Miss Hannah, I love you, woman.  You continue to raise the bar and just your "going for it" encourages me to reach farther and try harder.  I may never measure up to the gold standard you set, but I'm a better me than I was when I follow your lead.