The Power of “Opting out!”Day off from school...officially known as an “optional teacher workday...” a micro-moment during the year...where...if it’s not mandatory or I do not have a lot of work to do...I opt out. What does “opt out” actually mean? To me...I see no point...at this point in my career...to be...in my classroom...unless it is absolutely necessary to the advancement of what I am trying to accomplish with a given class...on a given year. Days like today make me stronger for days like, tomorrow!I consider these days escapes from my reality...a reality that...this year includes too many students and not enough of me to go around. Days like today provide me time to reflect...read...write...listen to podcasts...listen to music...right now...music...Neil Young...one of my spiritual advisors. I use days like today to...on occasion...go to some of my favorite places...the local bookstore...my favorite French bakery.As I worked my way into this day...morning run, meditation, yoga...I thought about attempting some light writing...above and beyond what I’m doing here...I was thinking...maybe some poetry...it’s been a while since I’ve dabbled with that. Riffing on the principles and elements of found poetry...influenced by what I’ve seen, heard, and read...Girl spits in the streetThe woman I’m thinking ofWouldn’t dream ofSuch an actShe’s sitting in a French bakeryScreaming at the rainSo...by “opting out” on this “optional teacher workday” I am able to “opt in” to this simple act of writing...which for me...results in moments of mindfulness. Sometimes these moments are painful...sometimes euphoric...sometimes...non-eventful. All the same...they are mindful.