Day 104 - Gratitude - No anxiety!

I've been working A LOT since school started, 11 hour days, 7 days a week - but that is only for week one. Last night, I was thinking about all I had to do, and wondering how I was going to fit it all in--while remaining balanced--and it occurred to me that I did not feel anxious about it! Wow! Now, I am superfragilisticaliciously grateful for that! To realize the overwhelm of The To Do, and yet, not feel overwhelmentized! (Yes, I make up words, and I find it amusing and fun!)
This morning, I reviewed and reorganized my schedule; I'm trying to coordinate all of my personal goals and endeavors with my professional goals and endeavors. For instance, I will soon start training for a long-distance thru-hike of the Ozarks. Along with that, I want to stay healthy (mentally, physically, emotionally) by making time for daily exercise routines in the form of yoga, Bikram, calisthenics, weight training, Bikram, hiking, running, walking... Not all in one day, silly!), having social time with friends and various groups of which I am a part, as well as taking Qi Gong, Bikram, and Lindy Hop classes. Then there's the writing, reading, and art I like to enjoy. So it's all a balance act of Wu Wei and Wu Bu Wei (oh, I forgot to mention the subjects I like to study; currently, Taoist philosophy). In the professional realm, there is lesson planning and studying I do for school, professional development such as taking my last state certification exam, and prepping the book presentation for staff due next spring. I also want to finish my Master's Degree.
This is a lot to do, yes??!! And while I realize the amount, I simultaneously do not feel anxious or stressed about it! I don't know why, either! perhaps it is all the personal development and evolution work I've done this past year, perhaps it is studying Taoism, perhaps it is the fact I am prioritizing balance in my life...I think a big part of it is feeling supported in a positive professional environment where communication is open, acknowledging, building, and compassionate. Goddess, I love my school!
I was trying to find a word to describe my work at school: work that I carry out, work that I enjoy, and work for which I get paid. It doesn't jibe with me to call it a "job", or a "career", or even "work". In my experience, a Job is temporary and not necessarily fulfilling or enjoyable; it pays bills. A Career is just a long-term job that may or may not be enjoyable--it's work you do for a long period of time--it also pays bills. And Work has a negative connotation as well, in that it is at the opposite end of the spectrum from Play. My friend Sandy suggested an appropriate appellation for what I do (since I enjoy it and even though I am over-working right now, it does not feel like work): PLAY!
What I do at school is fun, challenging, utilizes my physical body, requires my creative flow, engages me socially, fills me spiritually and professionally, supports me emotionally, stimulates me mentally, and encourages my personal evolution. All of this is reminiscent of climbing, reading, cycling, being with friends, traveling... All are actions that I enjoy and do for fun and play. Therefore, it must be play!

​I am so grateful to have too much to do and not feel anxious about it!