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Two Writing Teachers have written about the Slice of Life on their blog. Head on over and check it out!
After reading Michelle Haseltine's Blog yesterday, as well as Jaana's Writing Blog, I was inspired to do a little reflecting on how it's going with my One Little Word.
First of all, I'm surprised at how quiet Strong is. I'm also learning that it's not always what I think Strong should be.
When I'm being firmly held and established, being industrious, showing determination, many times it has been with the mundane.
Your husband's working every Saturday in January? Use that time to be industrious around the house, so you don't get too far behind with life. I'm reaping the benefits of my January work now that it is spring break. I'm not having to completely dig out of every room!
It's so cold outside even your dog is protesting? Show some determination and get out of the stretchy flannel pants! Work out. Do some yoga. Take the kids on an outing! This determination certainly did make a challenging winter a little more enjoyable.
My church has been studying The Story this year. I'm learning that I am firmly held and established in faith, a great shift after a couple years of wondering. It has also cemented an already Strong relationship with my husband, as we are studying the same things. It's lead to some great conversations.
And when there was a little burn out right before break and "things" just kept piling up? Being able to recognize things weren't going well and use the same determination to keep going. This too, shall pass.
Now as the year progresses; some ideas for continuing to be strong:
I want to work on being strong physically. More motivation to work hard in this area this time of year. I have a good routine from Aprilish-Late November. From December to March-ish, I tend to avoid working out all together. Now that Spring is arriving, I want to think about how to make that time more physically active, so I can be strong for my family.
Also, I'm looking to spend more time reflecting on my word. Looking at Pinterest, I'm enjoying the creations that people have taken the time to make to reflect on what they are working towards this year. Perhaps later this spring on a weekend, or even in the summer, I would like to do some creating as well.
If you have a OLW, how is it going? What reflections do you have?
--Kendra
Your observation that strong can be very quiet is reason to pause. Strong willed and strong minded don't tend to lend themselves to the idea of quiet. I can see many places where strong IS quiet and it is something I will ponder over the next days.
ReplyDeleteI surprised myself as I was reflecting! I thought that I would have this transformation in which I was outspoken and more extroverted? (I'm not sure that's the word.) I can see the strength, it just didn't come in the way that I expected.
DeleteThanks for getting me to think about my OLW today. I haven't thought about it much. My word is promise. I blogged about it here: http://twowritingteachers.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/promise2014/. I read through my bullet points and realized the last sentence of one of them hasn't been happening. I wrote: "I promise to make time for other endeavors. I will continue to write and consult. I will try to do something artistic since it’s been too long since I’ve done something creative." I haven't done anything artistic in awhile. I need to do that. I just have to figure out how. (Thanks for helping me to reflect on my OLW today.)
ReplyDeleteStacey! I read this link. Simply lovely. I have a passionate, joyful son who has a few food allergies. I've contemplated how to blog and share his story, and you have provided me with some inspiration. Thank you. I hope that trying something artistic comes for you soon.
DeleteI loved your statement "I am firmly held and established in faith." The wondering can just eat you up. I've not heard of The Story, so I'll be checking that out. I wrote about my OLW yesterday. I was glad I did because it really made me do some reflection.
ReplyDeleteIt's a great book. I've really enjoyed the study. If you have a church group, they might enjoy it too. The wondering was hard, but a season that I'm thankful for!
DeleteI too reflected on my OLW last night which is: Vision. When you wrote about burn out before break it got me thinking that I need to also stay strong before spring break (2 weeks yet) because we have had so many snow day delays that my kids need to move along at a fast pace. If I slow down I know my students will take my lead. Thanks for the inspiration
ReplyDeleteYes! We also struggled with weather here as well. Late starts, early outs, cancellations. Each week we had at least one of these. I really had to be responsive to their needs, even though there were days I was moving quicker than I should have been in the classroom.
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