Pictured: Dr. "D" leading students in Mindfulness Techniques-September 2019

Since the beginning of what is now a "global pandemic" I have told myself that this time is my time to co create. While the pandemic started months ago, I felt the intensity of deciding to move to China nearly one year ago.

I was substitute teaching the 2018-2019 academic year at a middle school in my hometown, Cincinnati, Ohio. I was still licking my wounds from what I called my "failure". Yes, I was having a major pity party. I "tried" to apply for positions. Yet, compared to the international experiences and exposure of the years I was in the Middle East; the positions "paled". I'd gotten too much experience for academic positions in the United States. At least, this is what I told myself; AND of course, this is exactly what I experienced.

Growing exhausted of the pity party, I began looking within at what I really wanted. I loved the international experience. Looking at my credentials and experience; I decided to take a "detour" by obtaining a Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification. Last year, at almost exactly the same time that I am writing this blog post; I deep dived into the online course. Within three weeks, I'd completed with an approximately 98% pass rate; and began the thrill of interviewing for positions in China.

It felt good to be in demand again. All of the interviews were with recruiters who then submitted my credentials to hiring schools. One recruiter said, "The academic dean is American and is currently in the U.S.; if you'd like, he can call you and talk to you about the position." He called; and the rest is history. The role he described was nothing like what most English Teachers are hired to fill. This role would be The Experience!

As the headline states, "China Positioned Me". Five years ago, when I was in a space much like the one that led to my obtaining the TEFL certification; I'd written in my journal, "I want to be paid for being myself." Well, I was. . .I am. And this is where the global pandemic is of the most significance.

I was hired in a role that no one perhaps in the entire country had been hired specifically to fulfill. Fully aware of the fulfillment of my journal entry; I am aware of my responsibility for the co creation of my life. Oh, I know. . .before I talked about manifestation. Yet, Honestly, prior to the Detour; I only knew of manifestation as occurring after I'd persuaded myself that what I desired. . .I was worthy of having. I hadn't much success with the persuasion part.

Video: Dr. "D" in action! October 2019

It was only AFTER accepting the role; and watching doors literally open at just the DIVINE time necessary through the process of moving TO China; that I truly began to KNOW the effortlessness of manifestation. It is from this knowing that I write this post. . .on Gili Air Island, Lombok, Indonesia. I have been in Indonesia since 18 January 2020. . .literally days/weeks before the outbreak of COVID-19 in China. Given the uniqueness of my role; I am again being paid to be myself. 

In my current role, I am leading 100+ Chinese high school students in remote Mindfulness sessions. . .effortlessly. COVID-19 has made me aware of my personal responsibility for being intentional in everything I say and do. This is an Intentional time. What I DO with this time is my responsibility.

China Positioned Me.