Monday, December 21, 2015

Slicing and Wondering



      I'm slicing with the Two Writing Teachers community today. It's always good to read what everyone shares.  Thank you Stacey, Tara, Anna, Betsy, Dana, Kathleen, Beth, and Deb. 

      Congratulations for the honor of being chosen as the best group blog in the Edublogs awards. You would continue to do wonderful work no matter what, but it's always nice to be acknowledged for it. Terrific end of year accolade!

           It's time to ponder the year behind us, and look forward to 2016, too. I might write a post about 2015, another year of changes for me, but this time I am looking forward, and I wonder, sometimes seriously, outward and inward . . . 

       (As I re-read my post, I also wondered from a teacher's view: Isn't this isn't the way one wants our students to think, self-reflect and then answer with a plan? Further work will be needed; further research done, but the student takes the first step.)

When I wrote, I found I needed to reply with a second wonder. You'll see why!

I wonder how everyone will work to make change so that we no longer rise in the morning and hear of yet another tragedy because of guns or bombs?
(Do I have an organization that I trust and support to help do this?)

I wonder if people will try very hard to be kind to each other because of OR in spite of differences?
(Do I have an idea of how to reply kindly even when disagreeing?)

I wonder if we can finally, finally help everyone obtain health coverage?
(There are such worries when medical bills pile up and up. Do I know who might be good to contact to show my concern?)


I wonder how we will manage this next Presidential election with such diverse opinions?
(When I support one group more than another, will I find compromise?)

I wonder if people will ever elect a woman president? 
(How can I further support the reasoning that gender doesn't matter; intelligence and integrity do?)

I wonder if I will ever find a way to focus on one project at a time? (Still so scattered!)
(Is there a book available that might show a path for this new journey?)

I wonder how many repairs/changes to my home that I'll do this year?
(Isn't it a good thing simply to create a list of people, call them, and begin?)

I wonder if I will make a plan for writing, and then sending it out to see if I can publish?
(Isn't it true that a journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step?)

I wonder when I'll stop writing good ways to live, and start listening and doing?
(Enough said.)


Wishing you all a holiday merry and bright, and a year of future wonders.


From Rainer Maria Rilke: 

               “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”
click to enlarge
photo credit: Teddy via photopin (license)

34 comments:

  1. Linda, I love how you wrote this post. I wonder so many of the same things. A great end of year slice! Enjoy your holidays!!!

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    1. Hope you have a lovely one with your family, Michelle. Thanks! Happy you are wondering, too!

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  2. Some wonder
    sparks
    change:
    we move through,
    and into, the unknown,
    wearing question marks
    as caps,
    curious about what's ahead
    and cautious, just the same.
    Find trust here among us ...
    we support each other in
    the journey forward.

    --Kevin
    PS - Your pondering had me thinking .... a poem is what came out ... peace.

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  3. It's a "wonder" of a reply, Kevin. Support certainly helps, doesn't it? I love the "question marks/as caps". Will remember!

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  4. I hope that many of your I wonders become reality in 2016 and stops being questions.

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    1. Thanks, Bernadette. Putting them out into the world makes them more real, don't you think?

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  5. This is a "wonder"ful wondering! And, regarding your teacher's pov, aren't we all always students of life? May the next year be full of wonders of the very best kind!

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    1. Thanks, Jane, and you're right about always being students. Best wishes for the new year to you, too!

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  6. You've asked so many smart questions as we stand on the threshold of another year, looking back and forward at the same time. Most of all, in each question I am reminded of your wisdom that in a journey of a thousand miles starts with one step.

    All the best,
    Cathy

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    1. Yes, we simply need to begin. Thanks, Cathy, I am hopeful for the new year!

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  7. "Wondering" is the first step to finding solutions. Hope you find many in the new year. I wonder what I can do to be a better person in 2016. How can I expect others to change if I am not willing to change myself?

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    1. Thank you for the hopes. I'm guessing I will now need to write my slices about them in the future. Keeps me honest, right? Expectations start with self, so right?

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  8. I am so into my own head now. I miss my larger questions but I'm so happy you have me thinking about yours, friend. Thanks
    Bonnie

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    1. I understand, Bonnie. You'll come to them in your own time. Thank you for the thoughts!

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  9. I am tempted to answer some of your wondering. I understand you need to figure out your own answers and solutions. Your last wonder puzzled me a lot. Reading your slices and celebrations lets me believe your live life in a good way. May your wonders bring positive change and open some fascinating doors. Have warm and caring holidays!

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    1. Thank you, Terje, hoping this will help you carry your own wonderings into the new year. That final 'wonder' simply means I need to stop writing about actions and do them! Enjoy your holidays with your family, too.

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  10. Lots of big questions here! Seems like the fact that you are even asking the questions would lead to at least some answers.

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    1. Yes, writing down the questions is a beginning I think. Thanks Carol.

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  11. Your I wonder statements as we prepare for a new year looks at both the large and the small, asking questions that may or may not be answered. Wishing you a happy Christmas and wonder on that day and the year to follow. Thank you for all of the ways you contribute to this community of writers, Linda! You were my first contact here and continue to be an inspiration. Deb

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    1. Getting ready for the new year is something important to me, and I will take these wonders and move forward. Thank you, Deb. It is lovely to be connected here, and follow each other's lives. Merry Christmas to you and all the family.

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  12. What a wonderful "wondering" slice! So many things to think about as we end 2015 and wonder what will happen in 2016. May all your wonderings find solutions and answers in a positive way. You have made me wonder what 2016 will bring for me, as 2015 has been a year of happenings. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

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    1. Thank you, Judy. Every year it seems is a year of 'happenings', isn't it? Have a wonderful Christmas time with all your family, and safe travels, too.

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  13. SO many important issues to wonder about Linda! This is the one I most agree/wonder about . . ." I wonder if people will ever elect a woman president?
    (How can I further support the reasoning that gender doesn't matter; intelligence and integrity do?" Here's to a New Year of Hope, Health and "FIRST STEPS"!

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  14. Wondering may lead to actions. . . I wonder, is it possible? Deep thoughts as you finish the year. Have a merry Christmas, Linda.

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    1. Thank you, Elsie. Best wishes for a very Merry Christmas to you as well.

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  15. I love how you paired a wondering with an action step -- inquiry propels us forward and helps us make change. Can't wait to read about your journey of wonderings in 2016!
    Clare

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    1. Thank you, Clare. As I wrote, it came to me that I should answer my own wonderings with an action, something as concrete as I could right now. We'll see where it goes.

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  16. What a thoughtful post. Wondering is the first step. I'm looking forward to all of the steps you will take in 2016. And grateful to have a ringside seat reading your blog. Merry Christmas and Joyful New Year to you!

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    1. Thank you, Julieanne. Wishing you a Merry Christmas too, and a wonderful start to 2016. We'll have a great time next year seeing what the other is writing!

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  17. So many questions go unanswered and yet we move on. We find a way through the wonderings and wanderings. You are finding your way through. Scattered doesn't begin to explain my mind these days. Peace. Deep breath. Peace.

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    1. Thanks, I appreciate the sharing and the wish, Margaret. So many things to plan this time of year, and that special event coming! Merry Christmas!

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  18. This reflection full of "wonders?" is appreciated.
    As is the wonder-ful teddy bear in the lovely blue-bordered window.
    My special best wishes for Healthy + Happpy Christmas to you Linda + a Vibrant 2016!

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    1. Thank you, Jan. What a lovely greeting to see this morning. Love that you like the picture! Merry, merry Christmas to you and a very Happy New Year!

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