Some years, I know early on how I’ll end this challenge, like the first year we did a school writing challenge, I knew I’d write about the impact from day one.
This year, I don’t even know how I got here. Each day a blur. It feels like we just started. How is it already March 31? I guess that’s a reminder that time doesn’t stand still for anyone.
The writing came easy. I was grateful for all the people that read my blog. I always feel like I don’t read enough. Don’t comment generously enough. I’ll try to do better next year.
Today, my pal Dawn (she now refers to herself as my pal since I say it so often here) sent me a reflection post she wrote for our school community. In the end, she shares that we both have a sticker on our school badges that reads “Put Good things Into the World.” Dawn found a store in Florida many years ago now and brought home what has become a mantra. This mantra has been spinning in my head since I read her post.
Our school is currently in the middle of our One Book, Two Schools experience (we always pass our community read onto another community…hence the “two schools”). Through this book, we are launching some work around empathy. Last week, we had a whole school meeting and the person running the meeting defined empathy has feeling what others feel. I can’t shake the feeling that it is so much more than that. I think it’s more about understanding and seeing things from different perspectives.
I think this month helps me live more ready to put good into the world, more aware of stories and perspectives, more alert, and more in awe of the world around me. Writing doesn’t feel like a challenge, it feels like a privilege and a gift. Thank you to each of you for sharing your stories and your perspectives. You help me learn and grow…and I am grateful.
Where There Is Joy 
Agree, the month flew by. I love this- Writing doesn’t feel like a challenge, it feels like a privilege and a gift. This can be so motivating to consider the gifts! It’s always a gift to connect with you each day through this challenge.
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I agree. I’m sad it’s over just because of that.
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I love the mantra “Put Good Things Into the World.” This month is such a gift. Thanks for your part in it! Like you, I always wish I had time to read and comment more.
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Christian and I were actually talking about this yesterday too. “Writing doesn’t feel like a challenge, it feels like a privilege and a gift.” Maybe it’s the motivation I need to keep going in Tuesdays again for a bit.
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I hope so!!!
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I like your line: “it doesn’t feel like a challenge, it feels like a privilege or gift.” I completely agree and every year I get so much more out of this than just the writing.
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Empathy is a lot more that feeling what others feel. Agreed. I’ll be thinking about that statement.
It’s been a special month of sharing moments with you. Writing is absolutely a privilege and a gift, and a powerful one, at that. I’ll miss my early morning connections with you and your family and pal happenings.
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Well, for your interest in other perspectives, writing is definitely a challenge for me. This month is hard…but it is also satisfying, in the way that perhaps a marathon is for some people (I would only be guessing!). To me, it is analogous to hiking a mountain. I’m very grateful for the view at the top, but sometimes the climb is painful. I do like reading other people’s writing and seeing how we’re different and similar at the same time. That’s a community.
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This is so great. As for your mantra and putting good into the world: mission accomplished. Be well and keep on swimming. ;0
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Thanks for naming what writing in March really is – a privilege and a gift.
Congrats on another year!! See you on Tuesdays!
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Jessica, it was great to meet you in November at NCTE, and I have enjoyed reading an occasional post. I’m here thinking why didn’t I read more of Jessica’s–and that is coming from a retired teacher, so don’t think twice about not being able to read and comment more. I am so impressed that you are able to do each day of writing in March. That is enough! You are enough. (Before I retired, I only managed to make it through every day of March one time. Though I tried many times.)
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This is very sweet and appreciated. Thank you Denise. I enjoyed meeting you as well! ❤️
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This is a lovely slice to finish on. I really like that saying, let’s put more good things into this world. And I do agree, writing is a privilege and a gift and I’m glad about this space that allows us to share our writing and read others.
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