Each Saturday Ruth Ayres invites us to share and celebrate events, big or small, from our week. Looking for celebrations has certainly improved my outlook on my week. For that, I am certainly grateful to Ruth and to all of you who choose to celebrate with me
This week was the half-way mark for my summer. I refuse to be brought down by the thought, so I celebrate the fact that I still have five weeks left!
I celebrate the joy of doing what brings you happiness. A couple of weeks ago my son's band played in Bloomington, Indiana. This was their first "public" performance, and I was impressed by the musical talent of these four young men. Playing his guitar brings him such joy and happiness, that it is hard not to celebrate with him. They have a few more performances this summer here in our hometown, so many more people will be able to listen to them play.
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| Ethan is the one on the right. |
I celebrate the people who go out of their way to get to know you and make you feel comfortable. I have not written much about All Write because I came back with so many mixed feelings. Yes, it was certainly a celebration, but it also left me feeling inadequate. Maybe one day I will sort through this, but until then, thank you Ruth!
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| I strongly dislike getting my picture taken but so glad I agreed to this one! |
Leigh Anne, What a GREAT picture!!!! I get what you mean about mixed feelings, but focus on the amazing accomplishments you've made. We are all on our own journeys! From my perspective, you have so many great ideas to offer and so much positivity too!!! YOU inspire me. Be kind to yourself! I led a camp this week and watched so many amazing teachers struggle with this same thing. I heard them put themselves down before they shared a creative ideas. I watched their shoulders hunch as they worked out and wrote complex lessons. You are a leader. You are so helpful and kind to fellow bloggers out there...be kind to yourself and appreciate where you are!!! :) I celebrate YOU!
ReplyDeleteIf you struggle with your writing, you should come talk to me, I'll make you feel great!!
ReplyDeleteIt's so wonderful to see our children happy and thriving. Glad you got to feel that pride in your heart this week! Have a great week :)
I hear your Mom's heart sing as your son finds joy. About that second thing, hum...I think we all relate. We have such inner critics! So let us all mute that voice and remember we all have a story worth telling. No one gets where they are going alone we all need each other to nudge(not push:) us forward. We are journeying together. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't this what moms wish for their children - that they get to do what they love. Great to see the pic of your son performing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I took Literacy Coaching two-year course then somewhere in the middle the participants felt confused, our leader responded that it was good, because we were learning and compared to our previous knowledge and confusions we were confused at a higher level. It sounded comforting. I bet that even with your mixed feelings you wouldn't undo the AllWrite experience. I hope you will write about it.
Leigh Anne, let your memories from All Write lift you up. Focus on the wonderful connections you made. You're making a big change this year, and I'm sure you were overwhelmed with the possibilities for your new grade level. Baby steps, my friend. So glad you had a picture taken with Ruth! Put in on your bulletin board - my pic from last year's All Write stayed on my board all year long. I cherish your online friendship.
ReplyDeleteSome major reasons to celebrate! Way to look at summer as "half full". I'm with you. Great pic of you and Ruth!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean about looking for celebrations all week long and how that changes our outlook -- I feel the same way!
ReplyDeleteJennifer
Sweet Writing Life
Mrs. Laffin's Laughings
I think it's about the halfway point for me too. Can't believe how fast it goes, but I have so many exciting new ideas for my courses in the fall. Can't wait to get back to the classroom! Though I am looking forward to all the reading and writing and gardening and lounging I still have left to do this summer. I have come home from many a conference with mixed feelings. I hope you'll write about it too. Your reflective posts always inspire and challenge me. Hmmm... inadequacy is a great idea for a blog post! Might have to borrow that...
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne - it is courageous to put yourself out there all in the name of growth and learning. Feel proud!
ReplyDeleteI so envy those with musical talent. Good for your son and the experiences he's gaining. What a great picture of you and Ruth! As others have said, silence that inner critic because we all do the best we can. Remember Maya Angelou said, when you know better, you do better. You are a learner and risk taker, embrace it and reach! :-)
ReplyDeleteLeigh Anne,
ReplyDeleteI think it's totally normal to have mixed feelings from All Write. Last year I left with my head spinning and feeling completely inadequate. I couldn't believe how much I didn't know. This year was better, and I left buzzing with excitement over things to try. As times goes on I start to hear my inner critic telling me I can't do it or it's going to be another tough year. I think we just have to quiet that critic and be proud of all the growth we are experiencing. I take comfort in hearing some of the teachers I admire talk about their struggles and their learning. It helps me know I'm not alone and even the best weren't always the best. They had to learn and practice too. The whole 10,000 hours thing is really true. Be proud of yourself- you are doing great things and your students are so lucky to have you.
That photo of your son is definitely a rock star moment. How cool for him (and his proud mom). I would ask about his older sister, but you finally straightened out the confusion over your colleague who we turned into your daughter :)
ReplyDeleteI recently learned firsthand the truth of the statement that we learn the most when we are nudged out of our comfort zone. I hope the overwhelming sense of growth All-Write flooded you with is what you are describing here as "inadequacy." I hope you are also flooded with feelings of welcome and friendship and camaraderie!
I love your picture. Thanks for sharing. Yeah for your son and the proud moment you shared with him. Enjoy each day.
ReplyDeleteI missed meeting you at All Write! Squelch those feelings of inadequacy and change them into goals for growth! We're all on the journey together!
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