I finished grad school. For the last ten months, I’ve been used to a never ending to do list. Reading, researching, writing. I just can’t stop working. Next on my to-do list is my August TWT post. Now that that is top priority, I’ve been moving through the world with a few ideas percolating.
As I watched my oldest daughter learn her new solo dance for the next season of competitive dance, I couldn’t help but think of the writing process. As I watched her teacher play the same snippet of music over and over, rehearsing moves in her mind and trying them out in the air, I envisioned students in the classroom, orally rehearsing, trying out ideas and potential lines.
I watched how those ideas and moves translated from the teacher to Wren, they practiced at first, side by side. Then Wren on her own. Each time, there was quick feedback that she could utilize right away. These corrections and tips were reinforced.
This song that Wren chose as her solo was the blank page. Second by second, Wren and her teacher are filling the page.
My eyes filled with tears watching this process, imagining seeing Wren on stage several months down the line. I know that moment will be beautiful, but so is the process.
I want to remember the beauty in the process, the work it takes to get to that final piece.
Where There Is Joy 
I like the way you start with the process of reading, researching, writing and then show the process of creating through your daughter too. There is movement and growth and life teeming throughout your post! What a great photo!
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What a lovely analogy for the learning process – practicing and practicing to fill the page with something new. “There is beauty in the process,” indeed – and feedback may well be its lifeblood. Kudos to Wren as she works, and congratulations to you on completing the work of grad school! I hope some rest will be on your page soon. 🙂
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Your slice is beautifully composed. I hear the music. I see the graceful, flowing moves. I feel the amazing pride for the dance and the process. So glad you had the time to capture this.
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This post resonates with me. I’ve always enjoyed the process more than the product. It’s so fascinating to watch things start and grow and change. The product can be beautiful too, but I love watching it develop. Of course I love the connection to dance in this post too!
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Absolutely. I especially like your line about the music being the blank page for the dance, and it has me thinking…
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What a wonderful reflection! There are so many physical sports processes that mirror the writing process. I have often made those connection with my students who struggle to write but are wonderful dancers, skaters, gymnasts, soccer, tennis, and lacrosse players. It helps them understand the work and energy it takes to write. I hope you will post Wren dancing sometime down the line – I remember seeing a video of her dancing a year or more ago.
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First of all CONGRATULATIONS!!! You must be thrilled to get a piece of your life back and put into motion even more of what you have learned! Secondly, I love how you stated that you didn’t want to “forget the beauty in the process”. A lot to be said for that! 🙂 Wendy
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Thanks Wendy! ❤️
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Wow! Congratulations on finishing grad school–what a process that must have been! I love how you structured your piece to move from there through Wren’s dance practice and on to writing. Such a lovely, reflective piece.
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Beautifully written!
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I love discovering similarities in all of our learning processes. I remember a couple of years ago a student pointed out that the engineering design process was quite similar to the writing process too!
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I love your writing and dancing connection. Go Wren!
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