One Little Word for 2017

Instead of making New Year’s Resolutions, I’ve been choosing One Little Word as a guide for a few years now, thanks to being introduced to this movement on Two Writing Teachers. Until last week I wasn’t sure what my OLW would be. Then one day I opened up the Highlights Foundation website and saw a picture of the stones garden. Front and center was the stone with the word ”create,” and I knew my OLW had found me.

In the past I have used Reflect, Listen, Re-imagine, Balance. All of those words had meaning and served me for a while, but I have to admit that I soon forgot about them. Why? I wondered. Then after reading Beth Moore’s  post this morning, I realized that maybe it was because I didn’t have a plan. I so admired the way Beth did some research about her word, then devised a plan where she could incorporate the concept into different areas of her life with meaningful actions. I needed to have a plan.

I started by copying the word into my notebook and brainstorming – ideas, words, connections, anything that struck me about what, how, why, and where I could create. I’m still working on it, but I know I want to step into creating stories for children, I want to help teachers create a passion for writing for themselves and their students, I want to create gardens that attract butterflies and birds in my backyard, I want to create a better understanding of world events within myself.

I think we all engage in creating things every day, but maybe we just aren’t conscious of it. This year I hope to raise my awareness of how I can contribute to creating something meaningful every day. I’m working on a plan.