January is often a time for the new. New goals, new resolutions, new changes. I couldn’t agree more with Sue Dunlop who states on her blog, ‘’As I’ve mentioned in this space, I’m a terrible procrastinator and setting myself the challenge of choosing #oneword helps me focus.” That is why every year I choose one word to fuel those goals, resolutions, and changes. My word last year was thrive, and I was inspired by this quote:
My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style. " - Maya Angelou
My thought behind this word was a desire to be intentional, not letting each day simply pass by, but rather taking hold of each day and making it my own. I feel as though I was able to fulfill this word through my experiences and opportunities I seized during the year. I saved up enough money to afford my first car, I secured a position as a server at a private golf course in Muskoka, and I worked tirelessly in my first placement as a Kindergarten student teacher.
Express through Words
After thriving through 2017, 2018 arrived and with it a new word to focus on. Similar to Aviva Dunsinger, after reflecting on last year’s word and memories, I landed on the word “express.” I chose the word express because of my typically quiet and reserved self. My thoughts are like weeds that grow out of control and I have a hard time getting out of a thought spiral once I am in it. I have great hope that over this new year I can continue to thrive and escape the insecurities that grip my mind through expression. I have been blessed with a support system like no other and I need to learn how to express my thoughts when they arise so they are able to help me out of these spirals. Often times I realize I could have avoided or solved numerous problems if I just had the courage to EXPRESS myself.
Express Through Teaching
I think expression is also important when it comes to my teaching career. I need to be able to express myself in a way that makes sense to students and helps them best learn. Through my next placement I will:
Express Through the Arts
I love art. I don’t do it enough. I don’t do it enough because I don’t think I am good enough. I love to draw, paint, doodle, and hand letter quotes and scripture. The problem is that I am a copy artist, meaning I have a hard time creating something that is not directly in front of me. We have discussed in MDL4000 before that we live in a convergence culture where everything is borrowed and built upon. It is terribly hard to be original in this world because chances are our ideas have already been thought of before. The internet is a participatory culture, if it was a sticky note. There would always be someone to take this sticky note, rework or reimagine the ideas on that sticky note and then place it back on the wall. Therefore, this year I will embrace my reworkings and reimaginings in regard to my art expression.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this year I am committed to express myself in words, in my teaching, and in my art.
What is your #onewordont of 2018? Live your truth. Express your love. Share your enthusiasm. Take action towards your dreams. Walk your talk. Dance and sing to your music. Embrace your blessings. Make today worth remembering.”
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AuthorJust a university student blogging about her reflections, assignments, resources, and learning tidbits. Archives
October 2018
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