Reflecting on 2014
Thank you to Stacey, Betsy, Dana, Tara, Beth, & Anna for this amazing platform to write and share writing! What a wonderful community you've created! I'm honored to be part of it. Join us at Two Writing Teachers.
I spent some time yesterday reviewing and reflecting on my blog posts from the past year.
I am grateful that I write. Writing helps me work things out in the moment. Writing communicates with others. And now writing gives me a place to reflect! As I read through 2014, I noted the good and the bad! I realized how much I'd forgotten and I noticed patterns in my writing.
There was loss. My papa died. My dog Leo died.
There were changes. I adopted Bella! A friend moved away. I took a painting class. I started learning how to play the ukulele.
There were new experiences. I helped lead the woman's retreat at my church. I led the woman's retreat at a friend's church. I started using technology in the classroom. I presented at conferences. I attended my first TED conference and started a TED-Ed Club at school.
There were new friends. I met friends from my PLN in person!
When I look through these experiences, I realize that RISK, my OLW (One Little Word) for 2014 worked! I said yes, a lot! The RISKS that I took made this year one filled with new experiences and new friends. Now, I'm looking forward to 2015. My OLW for 2015 has once again surprised me! I'll blog about it later this week!
OLW "risk" this is great Michelle! I have never chosen an OLW but I have been thinking (because things keep popping up) about, fear, a place of strength, and risk, all intertwined in a ball of spaghetti this morning. Perhaps I will grow a little today!
ReplyDeleteYou lived true to your OLW in 2014! Such amazing experiences you had just because you took RISKS. I also love how blogging helps us remember things that may have slipped our memories from the year. Happy New Year to you Michelle! May 2015 be your best year yet!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Michelle, as a reflective writer, I am not surprised that RISK was your OLW last year. I applaud you for all of your steps forward and am so glad that I met you in person. I look forward to seeing your OLW for this year and hope you take a RISK and join me for the next global gallery because your words are powerful.
ReplyDeleteBrave girl to choose "risk" as OLW. It has proven to be the just right word for you. Curious about your next year's word.
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how our OLW becomes a part of our lives without sometimes even realizing it. Congrats on taking all those risks and sharing your journey with us in your writing. Happy New Year!!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on taking so many risks! I'm so glad I got to meet you, and look forward to a great year of learning with you in 2015. Happy New Year, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteSo many risks this year! What an awesome and authentic year of risk taking! I'm still hopeful for the day when we play ukulele and guitar together! :) Can't wait to see your OLW for 2015!
ReplyDeleteWhat you write is so true. I am so thankful for this SOL community as well. And writing - very thankful for writing!! Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteLove your risk taking Michelle. I've felt privileged to be a part of your world through your posts that led to being with you at NCTE. What I find amazing, are the people you have benefited by taking those risks. Wonderful word... looking forward to your 2015 OLW!!
ReplyDeleteI am glad that you are able to look back and see visible evidence of how risk was present in 2014 and the impact it made. I look forward to hearing your OLW for 2015. I love this time of year with all of the reflections on the year coming to a close and glimpses ahead into the new one.
ReplyDeleteIt is all about taking risks. Without them life would be stagnant. So glad your risks worked well for you. Happy New Year.
ReplyDeleteWhat a year of risk it has been for you. And look where it has taken you. I love reading all of these reflection posts. It is amazing how one little word can have such an impact on a person's life. Thank you for being a part of my community. I look forward to learning and sharing with you in 2015.
ReplyDeleteIt is interesting and going back to look at your OLW. I did that in my post too. It surprised me what I saw and learned.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you kept "risk" close to your heart this year! Happy 2014 and a wonderful 2015!
Yay for taking risks! It's amazing when you look back upon a year what it reveals about you. Your year has been full. I look forward to hearing about your word!! Mine will be revealed in next week's Slice. :-)
ReplyDeleteLove coming over to your blog and feeling my spirits lift immediately. You embrace all the risks that life has to offer, Michelle - and so enrich the lives of others with that spirit of adventure, joy, and hope...even in difficult times. Happy New Year, my friend!
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