Title: “Grateful”
When I began this year’s Slice of Life Story Challenge, many thoughts swirled through my mind. What would I write about? Would my writing be good enough? Who would read it? How could I possibly write for 31 days straight- what, with three children, a full-time job, a house, and all the responsibilities that come with such a full life- where would this fit?
And yet, here I am on day 31, along with so many who probably brought similar questions to the challenge. As a first-time slicer, this experience has opened my eyes to what is possible when people in a community all commit to something and see it through together. And what a wonderful ‘something’ to commit to seeing through! A few things I learned:
- Writing enriches – As many of us who engaged with this challenge discovered (or already knew), writing everyday enriches the world. Perhaps on a small scale, yes. But the act of writing, as Alan J. Wright wrote early on, allows us to live life twice- once physically, and once interpretively. And this enriches not only us as writers, but us as readers. For it is through reflective interpretation that we learn and evolve.
- Courage is contagious- I was deeply moved by those in this community who chose to share and write about incredibly courageous topics. And to be honest, reading all of you who took such great risk in your writing by writing about the hard topics, inspired me to do the same. My deduction is that because of the nature of the supportive comments left by readers, we all felt safe, safe enough to write about what really matters.
- The ‘writer’s eye’ is real- For many years, I’ve worked to teach both teachers and students to ‘live like a writer,’ to be on the lookout for ideas that inspire. But honestly, I had never developed that muscle to the degree I have developed it this month. Living into a commitment of writing everyday has been a bit like an exercise program, a program that has successfully resulted in a strengthened ability to truly reside inside a place of writerly observation.
- This community is awesome- The educators who wrote alongside each other across this month truly are inspiring people. Your stories and your courage to faithfully be willing to write them down and share them with the world have lifted me as a writer. And for that, I am truly grateful
Thanks to all of you who have been reading each day (or some days), as well. Your emails, tweets, and personal comments have been both humbling and unbelievably encouraging. I thank you for them!
For those of you wishing to continue writing within this community, remember that Slice of Life Tuesdays will continue on Two Writing Teachers blog! I’ll be hosting the month of April. Hope to see you there!
Until next year…thank you everyone 🙂
Cheers!
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Yes! to all your (our!) lessons from this amazing 31 days of writing! It does change you, and for that I am grateful.
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Congratulations on finishing your first year of slicing! I’ve just finished my 7th. Your reasons above are why I come back year after year. See you next year!
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Definitely! Thank you!
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I love this! What a well written reflection and inspiring post for fellow writers. I woke up with the same “live life twice” quote bouncing around my head and you put it so eloquently here. A perfect final slice. Cheers!
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Thank you so much! It’s a great quote! I appreciate your feedback- thanks for reading.
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This community is awesome and the courage is contagious and inspirational. I have also been reflecting on “live life twice”and used a variation of it in my post today. See you Tuesday!
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Congrats on achieving the goal of this challenge. We all have so much to learn and share in our writing. Thanks for sharing this month and I look forward to seeing you on Tuesdays!
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Thank you for sharing this month! The view from here is a good one!
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You are right – this community is amazing! So glad you have joined us! See you on Tuesdays!
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Look forward to it!
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Thank you! Great, Joanne!
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Wow!
You expressed many of my sentiments perfectly from beginning to end…
I was new this year and found that it was equally rigorous and rewarding.
Thanks for hosting April…I will give it a shot 🙂
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Oh, I hope you do! Let’s keep this going 🙂
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Nice short list! I especially love “courage is contagious” and “the writer’s eye is real.” Unique observations. I notice my own writer’s eye developing, like a muscle, each March!
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I have completely enjoyed being “assigned” to you as part of the Welcome Wagon team. I am inspired by what you do with your students and learned some great tips. (Thank you!) I think you are a perfect addition to twowritingteachers and I’m looking forward to learning even more from you as I daily stalk this community of learners.
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You’re welcome. Thank you for the wonderful support!
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Your reflections are similar to mine, but written much more eloquently. It’s amazing how this community gives us energy as writers, observers, interpreters, noticers, and sharers! See you Tuesday!
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All great benefits. It truly is a wonderful community. Congratulations on completing your first March SOL.
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You made it! I loved reading your reflections here and remember the first time I joined the challenge. It’s funny that you mention the “writer’s eye.” I didn’t truly develop this until I joined this community. It was one of those things I think I believed I understood because I was a teacher and I was an adult. However, it was only after truly forming a habit of writing that I realized what it really meant. Now I truly know the difference between having it and times when I am lacking it. This community always has a way of revitalizing that lens for me. So glad you found the experience revealing and inspiring.
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Love your post!
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Thank you!
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