Choosing One Word for 2026

This week, I am confounded by stress and the inability to choose one word to guide my spiritual journey, As the cold weather continues, I find cuddling by the fireplace a comforting way to de-stress. Yet, when I start writing, I seem to have a page of scratched off lines. I am five days into the new year, and I continue to search for one word to appear and set me on a new path of discovery. 

There are six words that keep popping up. They are contenders for my one word that will guide me on my 2026  journey. Space is needed, especially now since there are Christmas boxes strewn all over. Healing is a goal for this year. The word, restore, yields positivity and makes life smoother. Peace rises from the state of stillness and quietude sits in silence breaking unrest. Then, there is forward that would help me move onward. These words are strong, important, and meaningful. One shall be my cornerstone and yet, I am still not ready to make my choice.

Since 2014 to 2025 I have chosen one word that has served as my yearly guiding star.

Which one of the six words will I chose to be my 2026 guiding star?

This week the Spiritual Journey group of writers will unveil their one word. Stop by my blog on late Wednesday or early Thursday to read which word I will choose.

Join me at the Two Writing Teachers site with educators from around the globe.

March Musings Day 5: Power of Being Connected

Being Connected Matters!

Within connected spaces

an electricity explodes.

Borders flatten.

Tribes come together.

Voices rise and expand.

PLNs grow exponentially.

Learning thrives.

©CVarsalona, 2018

I am a believer in the power of being connected, as do other connected educators. I understand that virtual communications bind us together in unique ways. Within my tribe of connected educators, I find support on my journey to find my greatness as a lifelong learner.  

Before connected learning was popular, voices were in silos. People worked alone, trying to navigate their path. One shot professional development did not open doors to enlightened learning unless strategies discussed were implemented, reflected upon, and shared with colleagues. Now with the advent of asynchronous, choice-driven learning available on Twitter, sparks fly. 

Today is #CelebrateMonday, the day set aside to extol successes in educations so I am celebrating connections, particularly the one with Kimberly Davis, the author of Brave Leadership. I met Kimberly online after hearing her speak at #G2Great. I was thrilled that Kimberly enthusiastically agreed to join me at #NYEDChat tonight for a lively Twitter conversation on the topic of "Owning Our Brave". While preparing for this chat, I read her manifesto. One statement jumped out at me "We believe that everyone has the ability to make a positive impact." Isn't that a powerful belief? 

I am excited to be able to moderate NYEDChat tonight and be in Kimberly's powerful but virtual presence. Will you join me to dig deeper into the topic, "Owning Our Brave"?  I am ready to embrace the connections.

 

It's Day 5 of the March Slice of Life Story Challenge at Two Writing Teachers.

Words: Singular Entries to Meaningful Dialogue

In tribute to the New Year and 2014 resolutions/nerdlutions posted on Twitter and in blogs, I pause to ponder on the effect of spoken and written words. This time, it is with a focus on their contribution or not to personal or professional well-being. Holidays seem to bring out the best and least desirable sides of human nature, depending on the types of situations encountered. Particularly at this time of year, words, by the nature of their tone or message, are singular entries to meaningful dialogue. In my attempt to create spaces to grow as a learner, I decided to carefully listen to others and prudently choose the path I take in response to words spoken. Therefore, I am resolved in 2014 to focus on Number 6 of the Effective Collaboration Norms and Guidelines, Paying Attention to Self and Others.

I have noticed that in conversations, words can be carelessly dropped, causing unbalance and unrest. Responding to such words often affects personal or professional well-being and can lead to future entanglements. Therefore, it is best to actively disregard words that cause disharmony; lift words from conversations that can be transformed; reflect to open new spaces of learning and respond in a positive manner. But this is easier said than done so developing the art of active listening, discerning messages, and using spoken and written words as strategic tools to move toward a more reflective stance as a learner are my new intents.

I actually started this process on New Year's Day while I carefully listened to message presented by one of our parish priests. He greeted the congregation with a message of hope as part of his homily on resolutions to start anew. Reflecting on the word closure and its significance for 2014, he stated, "Open the door to start a new chapter. Leave the past behind. The past is history, the future a mystery." Upon hearing that message, I paused to reflect on the importance of the word closure as a lead in to being open to possibilities. 

Without deliberate action the words, closure and openness, only float in the corridors of the mind.  So, I ask myself what will it be? Will I open the door to meaningful dialogue and discussion by being more conscious of the words spoken by others and myself? Will I bring closure to past situations and see new possibilities? Lastly, will I be more reflective to bring about change and new achievements? 

Words carefully lifted from conversations can lead to multiple avenues of exploration. They can become the singular entries to meaningful, reflective conversations. So what message will our words deliver during 2014? The choice is yours and mine.