One Little Word Community

It's 1-11!  The perfect day to round up all the One Little Word posts to see if we can build a few connections.

The new year is full of new hope as we move into 2014.  Right now gyms are crowded, everyone is eating better, and for a short time we're all working to improve.  In the last few years the One Little Word movement has caught my attention.  Some bloggers attribute it to Ali Edwards and others to the book One Little Word That Will Change Your Life Forever (Get One Word website via Monica Taggart).  I honestly can't tell you.  One day a couple of years ago I just started reading words from blog to blog and jumped into the fun.  

This year as I traveled from blog to blog I noticed friends choosing the same word.  I thought it would be fun to group them a bit so we could support one another.  I thought today would be the perfect day since it is January 11... or 1/11 (that's for you, Mandy).  Here are the words I've received on a previous post and from Twitter.  If you would like your word add, just leave it in the comments below with a link.  I'll add them into this post between today and tomorrow (1/12).  

Aloha

Deb Day:  Coffee with Chloe   "There's a spirit to Aloha that I think you have to find (kind of like looking for JOY). I think it means to appreciate what you have and share with others. It means to be content and in the now, not worrying about what you cannot change."

Balance
Bark Keister:  Balance

Katherine Sokolowski:  Read, Write, Reflect  "I need to regain the balance, and I'm hoping my word will serve as a reminder for me this year." 

Be
Mindi Rench:  Mindi's Musings  "I need to BE present.  I need to BE open.  I need to BE calm.  I need to BE mindful."

Believe
Kimberley:  First in Maine  "This year, after much thought, I have chosen a word that can be open to interpretation, but generally fills me with joy and wonder when thinking about what it can bring."

Breathe
Jodi Samsinak:  The Writer's Block, "My life is so blessed, but this year, I am going to take time to slow down and enjoy every minute of it."

Mary Lee Hahn:  A Year of Reading  " I need a year of slowing down and focusing on the moment at hand, not getting myself all worked up about what's ahead, or all wrought up about how the things behind me played out."

Choice
Maria Caplin:  Teaching in the 21st Century  "I am thankful for the opportunities when I have a choice.  I have learned the littlest choice can make a huge impact on my life."

Commitment

Mindy Reid:  Principal's Pensieve  "In 2014, I look forward to all of the ways I can show my commitment.  First and foremost, I am committing to this word!  It is my word, and I'm going to own it."

Courage
Cathy Sankey:  Every Student, Every Day "As an educator and as a leader, I feel that vision, faith and courage not only guide our work but make the difference between what Richard DuFour calls in On Common Ground the Knowing-Doing Gap."

Discover
Julie Johnson:  Raising Readers and Writers  "At this point in my life, I now understand the importance of giving myself permission to not be perfect."  

Jaana:  Jaana's Writing Blog  Stop by to read her discovery poem.  

Cathy Mere:  right here  "Though there are some things I'd like to find out more about, I think DISCOVERY, at least for me, will also be about those random surprises I find that make me want to dig a little deeper; the things that unexpectedly surprise and fascinate me. "
  
Embrace
Mandy Robek:  Enjoy and Embrace Learning  "I know I'm ready to straighten out that pitch and make some necessary changes in what I do and how I think so my heart is happier."

Encourage
Michele Knott:  Mrs. Knott's Book Nook  "But in 2014 I want to encourage myself:  reading is fun, it's enjoyable, it's what I love."

Float
Dana Murphy:  Two Writing Teachers  "This year will be the year that I learn to float.  To me, floating implies a certain steadiness, a calmness.  I picture myself floating in crystal blue waters, breathing in and breathing out.  Moving gently with the breeze.  Calm and steady" 

Focus
Cathryn Petticrew:  Learning Journeys  "Focus, for me, is about being intentional with my time and my attention."

Grit
Clare:  Assessment in Perspective  "I want to open myself up to thinking about different types of GRIT and how GRIT can help me in a variety of situations in my life."

Ignite
Monica Taggart  "For me, IGNITE also means to create and launch ideas myself. I also hope to IGNITE sparks in my family, friends, and fellow teachers simply through encouragement and support."

Intentional
Jennifer Hogan:  The Compelled Educator  "Professionally, my focus areas are growing teachers and leaders, increasing collaboration, finding a mentor, creating a tribe, and taking chances. Those may seem vague, but I am working on the specifics so that I can sharpen my focus. Intentional."

Kindness
Melanie Meehan:  Two Reflective Teachers  "Sometimes in the rush and pressures of daily life, I do forget that kindness is a daily gift that is available to dole out to the people around me."

Listen
Amy Rudd:  The "Rudd"er  "I need to listen to my own heart too-what are my needs and wishes-what is my heart telling me?"

Make  

Kevin Hodgson:  Kevin's Meandering Mind  "It’s digital, physical and internal, and I am going to “make” 2014 a year of diving in as deep as I can."

Open
Margaret Simon:  Reflections on the Teche   Margaret has a beautiful poem on her blog about OPEN.  Stop by to read it.   

Patient
Jen Vincent:  Patient

Play

Jill MacDonald:  Play

Promise
Stacey Shubitz:  Two Writing Teachers  "I look forward to 2014 being a promising year for my family, and to the promise of a bright, loquacious future for my daughter."  (Stacey also has listed her promises as well as some new maxims she lives by.  Stop by to read more.)

Reach

Leigh Anne Eck:  A Day in the Life:  "Now I know that living my life upside down will help me to REACH out and become a better me...that ME I searched for and found last year."

Re-imagine
Rose:  Mentor Texts with Lynne & Rose  "2013 brought a number of changes for me both personally and professionally, and I have had to re-imagine my role as teacher, mother, and writer. Since I am continuing this journey of “re-imagining” as I head into 2014, I think it will serve me well."

Remember

Kelsey Empfield  Kelsey plans to use her writer's notebook to help her "remember all the awesome epic-ness that is happening" to her.  


Risk
Michelle Haseltine:  One Grateful Teacher "Risk.  It scares me.  It scares the crap out of me!  And that's why I need this word." 

Savor

Maria Selke:  Maria's Melange "So - my "word" is more of a theme this year. Breathe... slow down... enjoy each moment instead of always looking for the next thing to complete."

Ramona:  Pleasures from the Page  Ramona has an interesting story - and some beautiful images - of finding her word so stop by.  

Jennifer  (hoping to find a link for Twitter or a blog)

Spark
Jennifer M:  I Hablo Espanglish  "In all of this, I want to shine like a SPARK: emitting rays of delight and energy while spreading positive change."

Strawberry
Terje:  Just for a Month or So "My quest should have been for a word that would help me to remember "What kind of a person am I striving to be?" in different situations."

Strength/Strong

Kendra Limback:  Simply Learning Together "Strong covers and helps define a lot of what I hope to achieve this year. "

Annie Orsini:  Simply Learning Together  "I want to be strong and handle challenges with grace."

Michelle Nero:  Literacy Learning  "Strength in my balance of life and finding time to balance all that I need and want to do and accepting that I can't do it all!"

Today
Franki Sibberson:  A Year of Reading " I am going to try really really really hard to not stress about all that is coming my way and enjoy each day whether it is a day full of work, rest, friends, exercise, whatever."

Time

Tammy:  Assessment in Perspective  Over the past few weeks, I have noticed the word TIME again and again.   It actually feels like this word is choosing me instead of the reverse.

Wander
Linda Baie:  TeacherDance  Linda reminds us to choose wisely, " days hold only so many hours."  

Do You Wonder Who Chose Your OLW?

"[People] changed because they were embedded in social groups that made change easier. (p. 88)" Duhigg, Power off Habit

As I've been catching up on blog reading in the last week I've noticed many people posting about their One Little Word which I believe was started by Ali Edwards. I've also started to realize that often bloggers have the same word as someone on another blog. For example, I have chosen the word DISCOVER and, as luck would have it, so has my friend Julie.

I'd love to put together a post that groups bloggers with like words so they can support and inspire one another. If you're interested in joining this round-up, please leave your link to OLW post here or send it to me in a tweet by Saturday, January 10th. My hope is to have it posted on 1-11 ---- seems to make sense to post about the ONE word on 1-11.

Hope to share your word soon!

Yep, I'm Going There: My One Little Word

It is only in adventure that some people succeed in knowing themselves - in finding themselves.  -Andre Gide (from Brainy-Quote)

It's a new year, but are we any different?
Standing in line at the grocery store this evening, I had to smile.  The magazines all featured pictures of the thin and fit.  Carts no longer contained sugar, cookies, snack food, and holiday beverages, instead everyone had Weight Watcher meals, vegetables, and grains.  Everybody waited in line wearing their "somehow I'm different today" looks as they strive to put their best foot forward in the new year.

I smile to myself, "Who are we kidding?" I wonder as I wait in the long check out line.  Every once in awhile I pull out a resolution or two, but for the most part I try not to fool myself.  I'm constantly trying to improve, don't get me wrong, but I'm probably not going to make it to the gym anymore than I did last year.  I'm probably going to drink just as much coffee and I can't really live without chocolate.

Many of my friends have been talking about choosing their One Little Word for the new year.  There has been talk on Twitter, Facebook and blogs about the words they'll let guide them for the year.  I tried this in 2012 with the word "gratitude."  Last year, I just decided to let the New Year roll by with no crazy promises.  As we said goodbye to 2013 and moved toward 2014 I considered a resolution, a word, a challenge (my 2011 fiasco), or something, but nothing really felt right.  I was quite fine with letting another New Year slip by without pomp and circumstance.

Then this morning I stopped by Tammy and Clare's post at Assessment in Perspective.  They were celebrating their new word.  You'll have to stop by their post, Celebrating Our One Little Word 2014, to find their words and some information about OLW.   Tammy talked about how her word was choosing her.  After reading their post, I decided to not really force a word (or a resolution or a new plan), but instead to see if it found me.

Today's DISCOVERY:
spinach, goat cheese, red pepper
crepe from Taste of Belgium 

My One Little Word
Today I talked my husband, Jeff, into venturing out before the cold came.  We've been entertaining for days and getting out of the house seemed a great idea.  We decided to go into Columbus to the Columbus Museum of Art to walk around for a bit.  It had been a very long time since we'd been there.  There was an interesting exhibition of Columbus artist, George Bellows, and a fun Lego exhibit.

After leaving the museum we meandered to the North Market.  As we walked around enjoying the afternoon sampling flavored popcorn, smelling spices, looking at different cheeses, sipping coffee, and checking out the variety of ethnic foods, my word hit me:  DISCOVER.

When we travel we usually find ourselves in a city.  I enjoy discovering new food, unique shops, historic sites, and the culture of an area.  I always wonder why I don't know as much about our own city as I do about all those we visit.  I could tell you more places to go in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, than I could suggest to you right where I live.

In the weeks to come I'm going to think about this word a little more.  I'm also going to think about what it means to me.  Though there are some things I'd like to find out more about, I think DISCOVERY, at least for me, will also be about those random surprises I find that make me want to dig a little deeper; the things that unexpectedly surprise and fascinate me.

Stay tuned
In the weeks to come I hope you'll hear more about my word.  I'm thinking on this blog you'll be hearing more about how the word plays out on the educational side of my life, and on Merely Day by Day I'll be sharing my life DISCOVERIES, but who knows.

A New Year: One Little Word

"Silent gratitude isn't much use to anyone."  G. B. Stern 

Image from Jumpstart.com

Yesterday I stopped by Enjoy and Embrace Learning to find Mandy's one word resolution:  Change.  I'm not one to make resolutions. Yes, I've thought of improvements I want to make, but I don't usually keep my resolutions.  I am always setting goals for myself and trying to improve, there's lots of room for that, but resolutions are another matter. Yes, I'd like to eat better, exercise more, read more, write more, and make a million other improvements, but resolutions are always far too lofty and before I know it life gets in the way.  Reading Mandy's post, I thought I might be able to handle keeping one word in mind all year.

Since reading Mandy's post, I've stumbled upon more "One Little Word" posts from other blogs I follow:  Maria - Reflection; Katherine - Be; and Laura - Stand (these posts are inspirational and worth a read).  Every time I finished reading a post I thought, "Yes, that's the perfect word."  While each of these words stuck with me, I felt I should really think about the word that would make a difference for me.

I wrestled with what my word would be.  I've decided it is THANK.  I'm very fortunate to have friends and family who do so many things to make me smile each day.  I'm always struck by the kindness and thoughtfulness of others.  Though I thank people in words and action, I'm not always as good as I should be about putting this thanks in writing.  It's hard to find the right words to tell someone how much you appreciate them.

So I'm going to make sure I take the time to THANK family, friends, and students for the ways they make me smile every day.  I'm going to resist the urge to put a number on this "one little word," but instead hope to take time to send a quick note, text, picture, card, message or something to let everyone know how much I appreciate them.  I found a few ideas for getting started at WiseBread:  25 Ways to Say Thanks.

I found this important reminder at bethankful.com:

"As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them."  John F. Kennedy