Celebrating Emotions

I often think about how fragile and uncertain life is. There are so many ups and downs that one cannot predict how any each day will flow. Emotions affect our personal and professional lives. Because we need to deal with both the positives and the negatives, I celebrate the emotional merry go round of life in a positive manner. 

This week at the PO-EMotions site, Mary Lee Hahn was in the last phase of her month long poetry challenge, writing a new poem daily based on the prescribed emotion of the day. I joined this week and wrote poems on contentment, optimism, and pride. While writing about these positive emotions, I was faced with a disappointment that I did not expect. I went to the orthopedist for a follow-up MRI visit thinking that my rotator cuff tear was healing due to physical therapy and exercise. Instead of hearing good news, I was told that surgery was to be expected. Number 2 disappointment came today when I heard a proposal that my team thought was strong was not accepted as one of the NCTE presentations. It is difficult to accept disappointment and keep a positive attitude when reality hands you a lemon and not a peach. 

In order to stand strong we must overcome any negative shifts that enter our lives. We must continue to be positive. I try to follow the old saying, When one door closes another opens. It is hard to wait but it is something we must do on the journey of life. You can read my thoughts on waiting here. 

Today, two people wrote powerful thoughts emphasizing to me that emotions are universal and part of the human existence. Ross Quintana tweeted, "You never know the great library of life experience that each person has inside." Tonight I read Ruth Ayres' post on her forever family that was both personal and touching. If she had not courageously told her story, I would not have known the range of emotions she experienced this week. 

Disappointment may be one of the emotions felt but it can be balanced by other emotions, if we look for the bright and positive parts of our week. 

Below is an inspirational poster that I created using a new tool.

Keep-Calm-o-Matic is quick and easy to use.

To round off the post, I found a delightful video on You Tube called The Feeling Song. It was written for children to highlight feelings and emotions but it has implications for adults. "We're feeling feelings every day. We're experiencing emotions all along the way..."

Each week I enjoy celebrating with Ruth Ayres at her site Ruth Ayres Writes - Discover Play Build. Please visit Celebrate This Week to hear how the writers of the community enjoyed this week.

DigiLit Sunday

Today is DigiLit Sunday so please visit Margaret Simon's site, Reflections on the Teche, to read how the community of writers have integrated technology into their lives and teaching.

Celebrating Blogger's Voice

When Alabama southern charm met New York voice a happening occurred. Last night, #NYEDChat and #ALedchat joined together to Celebrate Blogger's Voice. The merger of the two state chats into one unit, #NYALedchat, created an explosion of thought and trended on Twitter. Voice was emphasized and celebrated by a variety of educators and thought leaders.  

The connection started months ago when Jennifer Hogan and Dr. Holly Sutherland, #ALedchat moderators, met two #NYEDChat moderators, Dennis Schug and me, on the Twitter channels.  A virtual, collegial friendship began and from this connection a new chat group, #NYALedchat, grew. #NYEDChat moderators welcomed the idea and we prepared for a chat for a Twitter audience. The event was publicized and leaders gathered to converse. You can read the Chirpstory that Lisa Meade, #NYEDChat co-moderator, created from the Twitter chat here. 

Understanding that voice plays a significant role in shaping ideas and movements, the topic, Celebrating Blogger's Voice, proved to be a worthy one. Diverse perspectives openly expressed their thoughts to questions revolving around the 5 W's and H. It was a grand idea to merge an old school questioning technique with a new school environment and methods of communicating. Learning flowed like water from virtual spaces. 

My takeaway from the conversation: it is important to realize that all voices matter as we continue to impact life, teaching, and learning. Utilizing social platforms to converse, we flatten our walls and reach out to others for support and continued knowledge. In this connected space, we grow as learners of life. 

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When we allow reflective thoughts to form in our inner spirits, voice itches to take flight. Voice shapes our being, frames our journey, and sets our path. Within each word that springs forth is a golden thread that is woven to form a tapestry of thought. 

My advice to those new to blogging and tweeting:

Pause-Observe-Reflect-Connect!

Write from the heart.

 Find your inner voice.

Let it fly. 

It has wings that will soar into the sky. 

The poem below is a composition created after the #NYALedchat to showcase the wonder of expressive thought.

A Poetic Composition

On Blogger's Voice

Perhaps hidden in the recesses of your spirit,

you will find your inner voice.

It wiggles; has a short encounter with doubt.

At times, it moves cautiously outward

weaving a tapestry of thought.

Other times, itching to take flight,

it engages in a leap of faith.

In a sea of talk, your words float,

ideas rush in, spin, churn, 

then recede, reflect and turn 

in a quick backward flow.

In this sea of talk, voices rise,

linguistic floodgates open.  

Beyond regions, connections grow 

and new channels of communication form.

Continue in earnest to explore ideas.

Engage in virtual and face-to-face spaces.

Pursue perspectives. Seek creative outlets.

Immerse yourself in accountable talk.

Then, sit back to reflect; linger in the moment.

As you connect, emerge as one

unified body of practitioners of life. 

Carol Varsalona © 2015

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On Tuesdays, Two Writing Teachers offer space for writers to create a slice. Since my experience last night was so rewarding, I decided to pen my thoughts as Tuesday's Slice of Life. You can read other slices here.


Mary Lee Hahn offers space to contribute to her PO-EMotions. Yesterday's word was wonder. I offer my poem, On Blogger's Voice, to explore the wonder of expressive thought. 




You can find many more poetry selections for National Poetry Month at #digipoetry, a site created by Margaret Simon.