Oh I need to write a blog post. I'm behind. I haven't posted in a few days. I never wrote about the brilliant presentation by Arvinder where she showed us how to effectively use visual images in our instruction. She spoke eloquently and shared stories of her students too. I even cried!
After that, I was laughing too much to write about performing improv lead by the amazing Whitney. Her presentation gave me a real a-ha moment about myself. Fearing the idea of performing improv, I resisted it. Whitney got us writing immediately about improv in our teaching lives and our personal lives and I had a lot to say.
I never wrote about the brave and talented students we visited at the Student Summer Institute. These middle grade students wrote and wrote and wrote this summer. We spent an hour with them and listened to them share and give feedback on their writing.
Exhaustion got me. I blamed not writing on not having anything else to say. I learned that I wasn't chosen for something I wanted, so I used disappointment to avoid writing. NO! Show up and write. I must show up and write, no matter what. And when I show up, the words arrive, the writing happens and I am at home. Life makes sense again. Here I am on this Saturday morning, celebrating showing up...and celebrating my dream writing space. I'm saving up for this...
Exhaustion got me. I blamed not writing on not having anything else to say. I learned that I wasn't chosen for something I wanted, so I used disappointment to avoid writing. NO! Show up and write. I must show up and write, no matter what. And when I show up, the words arrive, the writing happens and I am at home. Life makes sense again. Here I am on this Saturday morning, celebrating showing up...and celebrating my dream writing space. I'm saving up for this...
What are you celebrating today?
Thank you to Ruth Ayres for providing this space to share our celebrations. Please join us and share your own!
Oooo...I hope the saving goes fast so you can get your dream writing space. It's great how you are showing up to write even through "busy-ness" and disappointment. There was a lot of joy in the writing- what brilliant learning experiences you have had this summer. Acknowledging and writing about the disappointment will get you through it and on to the next opportunity. I bet there is something good coming.
ReplyDeleteLove the sharing in this post - the exhilaration and the disappointment. "And when I show up, the words arrive, the writing happens and I am at home." I think this sentence belongs on a poster. Thanks of showing up today, Michelle. And I'm hoping you get that dream writing space soon.
ReplyDeleteoops - FOR showing up
DeleteThis is a great reflection piece. I do not take writing this seriously sometimes. It goes missing from my life and consciously I do not seem to miss it. But when I show up again I realise how much it adds to all aspects of my life. It is lovely to read how you persue writing and prod yourself to show up, even scoping out a piece of furniture for your dream writing space.
ReplyDeleteGreat post. That was a great day at the NVWP ISI.Those kids made me cry with joy. I wanted to take them with me to my school. It gave me hope and vindication for things I try to do every year and are often discounted as superfluous. It was amazing. And the two presentations that day were awesome. Go Arvinder and Whits!
ReplyDeleteOk I love that couch. And I saw the price! Sounds like a week that was priceless Michelle. As always love reading about your journeys.
ReplyDeleteThat is one beautiful place to sit and write...or dream about writing. Thanks for sharing what you learned, too, Michelle.
ReplyDeleteIt's easy to beat ourselves up and stay away from the page. Courage is sitting down and writing even when odds are against you. And that couch can sure inspire some colorful writing!
ReplyDeleteSo glad you decided to celebrate showing up, sometimes the simple things need to be celebrated but showing up can be a big thing.
ReplyDeleteThat sofa is very cool, Michelle. I hope the saving goes fast! And, I'm very glad you showed up today, love hearing all about this writing week!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE THAT COUCH!!!! We live in a little townhouse which is sweet but it doesn't have room for me to have a little writing nook or for my husband to have his man cave with all his sports memorabilia...but that's okay. I can dream. I love that couch though!!!!! I'm glad you wrote and glad you are celebrating. It sounds like your life is full and that's worth celebrating. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing up and sharing. I also adore that couch! It's worth the wait.
ReplyDeleteMichelle, I am validating your quote, "And when I show up, the words arrive, the writing happens and I am at home," is a great thought. Writing is the ground that allows us to speak our thoughts. The ladies couch is a perfect find for you. It is bright, lively, and variegated just like the words you communicate. I hope it is there for you when you are ready.
ReplyDelete