Tweet at #Sol14 and #CelebrateLu
I'm re-reading Ruth's and Christi Overman's book, Celebrating Writers, hoping to gain more insight in helping those with whom I work. A sentence on page five says: Celebrations ought to wrap around many moments in writing workshop--not just the final product. Celebration is essential to the livelihood of young writers.
When I read this, I wondered if we can connect this to ourselves, adult writers, too, celebrating things like:
- Beginning a new notebook
- Working at a new structure in poetry
- Attempting new kinds of posts on the blog
- Noticing words and habits that might be better banned, at least for me
And I also wonder if we can connect the same idea to life's process, those many moments that we love, are proud of, and think of as rather small things, but they add up to the "publication" of life.
- Taking time to talk to a colleague who is struggling and making plans.
- Stopping the car when I again spotted some of those clouds, the ones that are really animals disguised as clouds.
- Problem-solving another challenge at my work, and thankful that I am able to do that.
- Getting my taxes done. Last year was a complex year of expenses and changing circumstances, but the taxes.are.done!
- Getting my car full of gas and car washed, pleasant and fast, but complete.
- Finding my calendar full of coming appointments.
- Seeing colleagues present at a parent education night. They were great!
- Almost finishing a book that I've loved. Will review soon.
- Visiting former neighbors. I miss them!
- Starting my spring break-now!
It was a nice week of moments. Hope you had them too!
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| See the dragon lumbering along? |
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| What is this in your imagination, a scary monster after a worm, or blowing smoke or? |
I think the moments we love and are proud of become the "publication" of our lives. WHAT A GREAT IMAGE. THANK YOU
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Anita. Happy you like the idea.
DeleteHappy Spring Break! I still have a couple of weeks until mine...
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your week of moments! :) Love it!
You're welcome, Michelle. Waiting for a couple of weeks should make the weather wonderful!
DeleteLoved your list of celebrations this week. Taking the time to realize your celebrations is half, or more, of the struggle many have for true happiness. Seeing those blessings right in front of you, appreciating the small tings, wipes away so many of the other things you just couldn't see the good in! Have a wonderful break!
ReplyDeleteThanks Donna. It is always good to have a break!
DeleteWhat a thought provoking and happy slice all in one. Your list of celebrations includes a few things on my to do list! Yay for you. I just purchased Celebrating Writers and am looking forward to reading it.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I hope you enjoy and take much inspiration from the book!
Deletelove it - I got caught up in your pictures, though, not gonna lie. :) The first looked like a seal to me -- soaking in the sun on the beach. The second, a frog trying to capture some lunch. Maybe I am influenced by my spring break joy, wishing I were on a beach and realizing that for the next week, I can eat WHENEVER I want! haha Enjoy the break, Linda!!
ReplyDeleteOh, love your imagination, too, Jen. What fun & now I see the seal & the frog, too! Yes, it is nice to eat whenever, isn't it? You must be on break too. Enjoy!
DeleteTime to relax, now that spring break is here. Yay to taxes done! So many great moments in the week. As for the second cloud picture, I see a pig galloping after that worm. Great photos!
ReplyDeleteYesterday there was so much wind, & that's when we get those interesting clouds. I could have taken even more pics! Thanks Elsie1
DeleteI love the idea of celebrating with my students after writing workshop. While I don't do it enough, it is so helpful when I do do it! Thanks for the reminder!
ReplyDeleteThe book is so worth reading, Richard, finding little moments for quiet celebrations, too. Thanks for thinking about it!
DeleteI do believe that celebrating even the small steps helps propel us forward. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI do, too, Jane. Thanks!
DeleteWhat a great post full of celebration! And I didn't have a complicated year, but anytime my taxes are done is a time worth celebrating! Have a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Katherine-yes indeed, those who do their taxes in January are to be congratulated. I drag it out too long! Hope your last days of break are good!
DeleteThese small moments really are things that we all should stop to notice. Thanks for the reminder about these things. I need to stop and look for the animals in the clouds the next time we have a clear sky. Enjoy your Spring Break!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea, hoping for lots of clear skies with just some 'animal' clouds in your future!
DeleteLove your cloud pictures, a reminder to stop and look up and notice. Thanks for all your pointers to the sky!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Margaret-there is always something to look up to!
DeleteLove your cloud pictures! I had to take a picture of one another day because it looked like a Heffalump! And, scientifically, those are supposed to be good luck! Oh, I love the phrase "publication of life." And, I still have to do taxes! Have a great week! -Earl!
ReplyDeleteThanks Earl, best wishes on the taxes. Love your story of the 'good luck' heffalump! I'll look even more carefully now!
DeleteLinda - enjoy your break! Now that taxes are done (we have to get ours done this week) you can just enjoy some time to go cloud chasing! Love the photos!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie, should be a nice week!
DeleteI recently finished Celebrating Writers and LOVED it! I agree with you - happiness comes with celebrating the process as well as the product. I love your cloud pictures. I thought the top one looked like a whale. ;-) Yay for getting taxes done!
ReplyDeleteThat's the fun of looking at the clouds, each sees something different! Yes, the book is good, worthy of a re-read too.
DeleteEnjoy the break, Linda - the dragon marching across blue skies is a wonderful omen, I think.
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara, it's supposed to be great weather this week, too, thus these clouds blowing through!
DeleteI hope that during your spring break you will find some pleasant surprises, make time for dreaming, meet wonderful people, and have many moments to celebrate.
ReplyDeleteThanks Terje, love hearing your wishes!
DeleteThat comment about habits to ban jumped out at me. I was getting into a "complaining" spirit earlier this week and noticed. I mentioned it to someone and just acknowledging it helped me shake it out of my system. Even that can be a celebration. Love the photos. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Crystal, the habits to ban can be anything, but this time I was referring to my "bad" writing habits, like sticking in words that are completely unnecessary. See, did it again, don't need "completely"!
DeleteSo many great little things to celebrate. And yay for completed taxes, and washed cars, and spring break.
ReplyDeleteThanks Alyson, it's a pleasure having this week to look back to, & the break to look forward to!
DeleteTaking time to see the clouds--it speaks of a relaxed mind!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jaana, I try to be relaxed!
DeleteYour cloud photos made me smile, Linda. I thought the top one looked like a whale, too. Have a wonderful, relaxing break!
ReplyDeleteAll in the mind's eye, isn't it, Catherine? Fun & funny, too. Thanks, I appreciate the wishes.
DeleteCelebrating the "publication of life" is one of the highlights of my Saturdays! Surrounding myself with positive people like you is also a perk! I hope you have a fabulous break!
ReplyDeleteThanks Leigh Anne, for the compliment & the wishes!
DeleteLove the human connections made. Love the photos too.
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh, I'm so glad you mentioned your taxes in this post because I had totally forgotten about mine! Now I've got it on my to-do list, LOL. I do like that idea of incorporating celebration and looking for ways to be grateful and appreciative throughout the process of writing OR living! I have Ruth's book on my shelf--hoping to read it soon.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the book & so happy I reminded you about the taxes!
DeleteI think we as adults really need those little celebrations - as much as the kids do. Sounds like a lovely week of celebrations for you Linda!
ReplyDeleteIt was, thanks Beverley! And yes we need them
DeleteYes! I agree that all those things need to be celebrated. What a great connection you made with the book. I love the way this post is organized. Happy spring break!
ReplyDeleteThanks Susan. Hope your break is good, too!
DeleteWe absolutely need to slow down and celebrate the things we can and are doing! Life can get so crazy! I hope you have a great spring break week, and see more spring than what we do in Chicago!
ReplyDeleteFinally I saw a few hyacinths yesterday, Michele! It is slow going here too, but our recent warmer days will help wake everything up. Thanks, hope your weather changes soon!
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