Wonder Day 8.14.15 - Vanessa Rivera

Upon graduation I began to get really worried about my future. I questioned if I would live up to the standards I held myself up to and the reputation I built in the eyes of others. I battled hard and even started to feel depressed, like my life wasn't going to be as great as I imagine it to be. At the same time, I battled detachment from someone that was important in my life. Thinking about this person took me into a past that no longer exists and thinking about my future did the same.

Through living in a state of gratefulness, I find that all the things I want to happen in my life manifest themselves. The energy of gratefulness puts us in a place where we are ready and able to receive. Some days are still hard and I still battle with these thoughts, but the time span is now shorter because I am aware. I am responsible for my happiness. - Vanessa Rivera

Image: Vanessa Rivera. Cortona, Italy.

Wonder Day 7.23.15

I would like to separate my positive and negative emotions because I bottle up my emotions instead of talking to a parent, teacher, or trusted adult. And instead of letting my emotions out verbally I let them out physically on my siblings. - intermediate student, Michigan

Wonder Day 6.17.15

Right now I'm going through a rough time in my life. Family drama, people near death, and that terrible stuff. As for me, sometimes I think the most positive thing that can happen is me being gone. But I know that can't be right, I want to be a positive person. I want to make people smile and feel happy and not feel what I feel. I hate feeling like that. Once my best friend told that I have a great smile. I took that to heart. For the rest of my life I want to smile and make others happy, even when I'm feeling down, I don't want anyone to know I feel that way. - high school student, Florida

Wonder Day 6.11.15

I discovered that I can feel both sad and happy at the same time. When I'm sad leaving the friends I made while studying in Italy, I'll also remember all the fun times I had with them. - university student

Wonder Day 4.17.15

I have struggled a lot with peer and family pressure. I have always been expected to do something great. It's always "make all A's" and "no referrals" or "I can't believe you don't know the answer." The best choice I made was remembering that it is okay to break under pressure. Crying was always what I resulted to. Whether it was crying silently or alone or yelling at others in my head. This gave me a lot of relief. I began to learn that I don't always have to be Ms. Perfect. I still try to be perfect but now I know how to do it correctly. I can now still please everyone without hurting myself. - middle school student, NC

Wonder Day 3.31.15

When my Uncle Lee died, he was the only one I really saw. And I could tell him anything but when he died, I didn't really feel sad. But, when I went to the funeral, I was the saddest person ever. So I couldn't really tell anybody anything. - middle school student, TX

Wonder Day 2.18.15

I'm not exactly sure what to write about because I usually tend to stay away from emotional problems that I have...But eventually I won't be able to run from my emotions anymore. I'm the kind of person who just likes people being happy. The person that helps with other people's emotions. But never my own because I just don't like to. And I get that it's not healthy but it's just A LOT easier. But if anything it's probably how much I care about people. - middle school student

Wonder Day 1.20.15 - Joni Boyd Acuff

The most significant positive change I made recently in my life was to simply slow… down…. I am always on the move and I rarely even think about what I am doing—like a zombie on autopilot.

People ALWAYS, and I do mean ALWAYS, ask me, "How do you do it with three kids, a husband, and a full time academic job?" My answer is always, "I don't think about it, I just do it. If I think about it, I might go crazy."

Well about 6 months ago, I began feeling really hit by all of the on-the-go and lack of "consciousness."  My not feeling almost caused a mental breakdown….well, to be honest, it DID cause a mental breakdown. 

I have come to realize it is important to think about what I do and how I feel about it, otherwise the bottled up feelings will come out whether you want them to or not.

I.WAS.EXHAUSTED.

I realize that I should reflect and appreciate the things that I do and the sacrifices I make because this makes me realize that I need to carve out time for making sure I am emotionally and mentally sound. I realize this is for my benefit, and also for my kids, husband, and colleagues.

My thinking about myself and what I do has really led to some transformative happenings, like pulling out my art materials and creating for a couple hours a week, maybe as little as 30 minutes a day. The result has been incredible. My kids find me happier, tenure no longer runs my life, and I have found that I communicate just a wee bit better with my husband.

This change happened only months ago, during the summer break from teaching at the university. This transitional thinking was easier to do during that summer period, but I am continuously working hard to keep this consciousness in the forefront of my living throughout the fall semester and beyond. 

I don't want to be on autopilot. I feel like that status has caused me to miss SO much, especially the milestones of my children. I love to see my youngest child laugh, and pout, and stumble around as his motor skills develop. Unfortunately, I cannot recall appreciating this much with my first two children. However, now, I stop and stare, and that makes me happy.

I think that all women should, especially full time moms and family providers, stop for a minute, breathe and feel, really feel. Look at the sky, look at the grass, feel water running through your fingers, and just be conscious. I cannot believe it took me so long to get here, but I am so glad that I did.

Joni Boyd Acuff, PhD - Assistant Professor of Arts Administration, Education & Policy, The Ohio State University

Wonder Day 1.19.15

I would like to change how I don't tell people what my feelings are sometimes and keep to myself and feel sad. I think I could start with telling my family and then when I get comfortable, I can tell other people who are close to me. - middle school student

Wonder Day 1.6.15 - Emily Pasienza

I look in instead of out. When I choose to focus on others instead of feeling my feelings I lose myself and my voice. - Emily Pasienza