I’m working intensely on school reports this week and remembering to check in with my body regularly. Sometimes when I work hard or long I start to develop a tension in my body (neck, jaw and eyes are the most noticeable places) and then interpret that as feeling pressured or tired. If I catch myself doing it, I can relax, notice what’s happening RIGHT NOW and realize that I actually feel fine. Tension and ‘tiredness’ and that ‘negative kind of stress’ only get a grip when I think about how long I’ve been working or how much I wish I were doing something else, or how long it’s going to take to finish the job and how uncomfortable it will be enduring that until the bitter end. STOP!

I notice the tension starts in my tummy (even when I’m just writing those thoughts!) When I stop and notice what is real in each moment then I find that, when relaxed, the ‘chore’ is a joy… moment… by… moment. No better or worse than anything else I do moment… by… moment. And I also appreciate that it’s a privilege to be able to choose the words to summarise the particular qualities, the attainment and the progress made by all those lovely little individuals in a way that will inform and launch them onto the next stage of their learning.

And I’m grateful for this opportunity to contribute.