One Word 2017
It’s approaching that time again. ONE WORD. I have done this for a few years. “Completion” was my one-word in 2015 and “alignment” in 2016. I suspect that those words will always be in the back of my mind but it’s time to get away from the rainbow spin and select a word that will resonate with 2017. The one-word that first came to mind was ABUNDANCE. I hesitate with this word because I don’t want to have an “abundance” of any “bad things” (whatever that means). I’m more focussed on the “good things” like opportunities, income, and professional/personal growth.
I would also like to focus on my passion (like teaching), do things that bring me JOY (like curling), and complete my dissertation and successfully defend (that would be super nice). I would also like to maintain a gratitude journal as well as get back on the health-train where I make myself a priority. I believe that you cannot take care of others if you are not taking care of yourself. As my friend had once said to me, it’s like emergency air masks that drop from the airplane. The air mask must go on yourself first before you can help others. You can’t help others if you’re dead. Makes sense.
So if I look at myself authentically and wholeheartedly… I may not have been following my own mantra. I have been so curious as to what life in education could look like outside of the Math 8-12 classroom that I lost sight of myself and my role in creating my own success and happiness. That said, I loved all of the things I have experienced and learned since leaving the classroom. I have met so many wonderful people who are like-minded and equally passionate about education and student learning. I am very grateful and heartened to meet and know these people.
However, I’ve been feeling like it’s time to turn the page in my story and start a new chapter. I know that my dissertation and oral defence will finish this year, in 2017, as well as the school trustee study I’m co-writing with Dr. Dan Laitsch. Those will be done. I am not teaching at the universities this term so that I can commit my time and energy to complete my doctoral work. It is also an opportunity to focus on my professional learning to become a better sessional instructor but also become a better researcher and writer. Moreover, it’s time to focus on me and my well-being.
As I am writing, reflecting, and contemplating at the same time to determine my 2017 one-word, which in essence is my form of making a new year’s resolution in a conceptual way, I am more drawn to the word JOY rather than ABUNDANCE. As much as I want abundance in my life, JOY enables me to self-assess and make decisions on what is worthwhile doing or not. If it does not bring me joy, then it needs reconsideration or revision. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do” – Steve Jobs. I am ready for this. I look forward to the new year and my one-word.