2013: My One Little Word

You live with it. You invite it into you life. You let it speak to you. You might even follow where it leads. There are so many possibilities. -Ali Edwards

It is that time of year again, when I take some time to think about an intention that I want to carry with me for the following year.  This will be my fifth year of choosing one little word.  Five years ago, my friend Janice helped start this journey and I find a word or intention easier to manage than resolutions that I have often broken by Thursday of the first week of January.

Last year, my word was "choose" and I didn't do that well with my word.  The truth is I didn't take enough time to focus on my word and in the areas that I wanted to really apply my word, I didn't.  The regular exercise amounted to two days a week, even in the summer when I had more time.  Our budget lasted a mere three months and I continue to hold onto things emotionally rather than choosing to let them go.

I am determined to make this year's word meaningful and I am going to etch out time to focus on the word and blog about it throughout the year.

My word this year is LEARN.

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I plan to try some things I haven't done before like snowshoeing.  I took a bread making class last year and loved it, so I plan to take a cooking class in 2013.

Captain Canada is determined to get me using his DSLR and it not be in full auto mode.  So there will be a few photography lessons in my future.  This is exciting, but nerve wracking as some may remember a dropped lens and shattered lens in 2010.

My job changed this year and for the next two and a half years, I will be working as a consultant with other educators in learning focused relationships.  Starting something new is always scary, but I am learning something new everyday and I find that part exciting.  I need to learn that it is o.k. if I don't have all the answers.

I am also interested in continuing to expand my knowledge about using technology in classrooms, but not as a replacement for pen and paper, but as a way to transform students' learning and giving them tools to search, to think, to learn and show what they know.

And finally, it wouldn't be one little word without some health and wellness intentions.  I need to learn to find the time to get in regular workouts.  Two days a week is not enough.  It seems like the early morning workout is the only way to go as I am too tired by the time the kids go to bed and by then, I just want some down time. So learning to say yes to the early morning alarm will be key in 2013.

Have you chosen a word for 2013?  What will your word be?  I would love to read about your word in the comments section.

For more information and inspiration about choosing one Little Word, check out Ali Edwards' blog