I have a confession: last Thursday, I told my 7th and 8th period classes to pray for a two-hour late start on Friday so we would not have to make up a cancelled day of school. Since I usually don’t assign homework, I’ll just assume that my students went overboard with the prayers. Lo and behold! Austin experienced an ice storm that shut down the city until midday.
Actually, I’m not the least bit upset about having a second three-day weekend in a row. As a matter of fact, I vaguely remember back in the day there being speculation about four-day work weeks once computers became more available. Of course that never happened since we Americans don’t know how to relax when we have a plethora of time-saving devices, except when it comes to acts of God.
Although I’d awoken a quarter to six on Friday morning, I stayed up once I found out that classes had been cancelled. After all, I was refreshed and ready to start the day. The true gift of any vacation, whether planned or spontaneous, is the extra time outside of one’s scheduled routine. One of the first things I did with my extra time was call my sister to sing happy birthday to her. I would have done that anyway, but our conversation was much longer since I didn’t have to be at work–at least the rigid work schedule I’m normally bound to on a Friday in January. I proudly told my sister that I got her birthday off.
This weekend, I’d only planned to go to the school play, “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” on Saturday, but when I arrived at the school theatre, I discovered that the weekend performances had been cancelled, which was unfortunate since I cannot make the remaining shows during next week. This being Austin, I had no trouble finding alternative plans for Saturday night.
First, I went to an open mic at a nearby restaurant that had decadent Italian dinner specials. Not willing to choose between the two dinner entrees, I ordered the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce with spicy grilled shrimp added. As if that wasn’t rich enough, I also ordered hot chocolate with Nutella. That was such a pleasurable meal that my brain exuded endorphins. Once again, money can buy happiness!
I then joined the open mic out in the backyard already in progress. I was not in the mood to read any of the material that I’d brought since a significant number of the audience had heard it already. Plus, none of the other artists were reading pre-prepared material. So, I followed suit and ad libbed. Apparently, my spoken word was coherent enough that one of the other artists asked permission to use my segment in a documentary, which I readily granted.
While at the open mic, I got an email from one of my fellow capoeiristas. He invited everyone to a Brazilian percussion performance later that night. I’d planned to go as soon as the open mic had concluded, but then one of the other poets read my tarot cards. I hadn’t had my cards read in nearly twenty years; so I indulged myself in a reading. Besides, how often would I get the opportunity to have my cards read by someone who professed he regularly used heroine for the medicinal calm effect?
The cards revealed that I was at odds with my present situation, but had the talent, arrogance and motivation to successfully change it profitably. During that positive reading, I’d pulled the “power” card. Of all the cards that I could have pulled, the power card reminded me of who I am, where I’ve been and all the potential I have. As I’ve always known, life is more difficult when I don’t stand up for myself. Also, I can withstand being in a toxic environment much better when I don’t drink the Kool-aid.
I went to the bar where my fellow capoeirista was playing a few minutes before they started. What a brilliant, moving performance! Even though I still babied my recovering ankle, I did the bare minimum of dancing as the rhythm seeped into my bones. I’d needed surgery just to remove the smile from my face. What a joy to see people from capoeira to various Brazilian musical genres.
One guy I’d assumed I’d heard his band before. He came up to me saying that he finally placed where he’d recognized me from–work! Out of context, neither one of us readily identified the other. I just laughed, gave him a hug and talked with him. We both were very thankful for the act of God, giving us more down time to enjoy life. Such a contrast outside of a toxic workplace.
This morning, I felt so energized during bikram yoga class. I fully embrace that the body can heal itself when we live in harmony. If nothing else, this unplanned long weekend has taught me that with happiness, everything else falls into place.