Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro: 29oC, hot, sunny, and slightly overcast.
After the stress of Sunday, a long sleep, and an early rise at 4:00 a.m., things were looking better.
Just a good sleep can change your perspective on everything. I had to get up earlier than normal because I had a class at 7:00, so I was determined to do some exercise before giving classes. I decided not to take my TRX exercise kit and take a skipping rope.
Leaving home before 5 am in the morning is different. Obviously, it is still dark; there are even fewer people than normal in the side streets and on the main calçadão(promenade) in front of the beach.
I was the first to arrive at the square at the end of Leme. Paulo, a retired postal worker, is usually there before anybody else. He has two dogs, a female Rottweiler and a smaller mongrel that he had rescued from the street.
I decided to increase my skipping workout from 15-20 minutes to 40 minutes and do some exercises in between. After quickly packing my things, I went home, took a shower, and got ready to teach my first class at 7:00 am. I felt accomplished and responsible for my own needs, ready to take on the day.
I now feel even more relieved about yesterday and the stress. However, I also feel guilty since my daughter has to face this situation every day. I was considering picking her up from school and walking her home. I sent a message to her asking what time she would finish her classes, and she replied.
At first, I was thinking about going to meet her, but I decided against it as we had plans to meet the following day. It turned out to be a good decision because she ended up going to her friend’s house after school and spent the afternoon there.
I have decided to live with my ex-wife for a few months to be closer to my daughter, Yasmin. Though it may not be easy, as I will have to avoid getting into arguments, being near my daughter is worth the sacrifice. It is a chance for me to spend more time with her before I have to travel.
If the price to pay is high in terms of stress and giving up on peace, then so be it. It is only for a short period, and sometimes we can’t have everything we want in life. We must learn to accept the things we must do, put our heads down, and move forward.
The rest of the day was filled with classes and studying how to set up a website. My last class was at 8:00 p.m., and I was dead. It was a good, productive day, and I got to put things into perspective.
Thank you.
In bed by 9:00 pm.
Thanks for reading my blog. Check out my other posts and share your thoughts in the comments.
Richard
