As a Wonder Lead Ambassador, I am in the process of creating a Wonder Bundle of five literacy learning experiences for teachers to use. This 3rd post, entitled, "Uninspired", provides ideas on how to help students find inspiration around them so that they are inspired to write and share their ideas with each other.
I thank my colleague and friend, Holly Mueller, and her student Connor for providing mentor texts for this learning experience. Please click on the link below to see Wonder Bundle #3.
Early this morning as I drove on the highway, the sky opened and tears of damp, flowing rain descended. I watched the change that dawn brought-charcoal black to slate gray to light gray. Morning drew closer and daylight caught the light of April showers. I remembered that it was Thankful Thursday and gave thanks for life cleansed by the rain.
Then, later in the evening, I opened Violet Nesdoly's blog for Spiritual Journey 1st Thursday and read, "Have you ever experienced things coming together in your life in surprising, yet seemingly meant-to-be kinds of ways?" She continued with thoughts about her journey with sketching and drawing and provided examples of her Bible journaling. I reflected upon Violet's question, recalling my drive to a school and the photo I took. That is when I decided to digitize my photo and see what words would evolve. I engaged in quiet time reading through Bible verses on joy and this led to what I am terming digital spiritual journaling.
As morning breaks,
the world opens
its doors.
Praise
for a
new dawn
to refresh our lives.
I took the liberty to combine different versions of 2 Samuel 23:4.
He is the light of the morning when the sun rises-
A morning without clouds
When the tender grass springs out of the earth,
Through sunshine after rain.
From morning to evening the sky turned shades of gray with the sun peeking for short bursts here and there. It is time to let the sunshine after the rain bring me to a peaceful rest. Joyful thoughts are mine at day's end.
Be renewed in spirit as Eastertime is approaching!
Thanks to Irene Latham for the start-up of the 2017 Spiritual Journey first Thursday originally created by Holly Mueller and Violet Nesdoly for hosting the writing event this month.
The digital and poetic thougths in this slice are part of my #poetrylisciouspoetry collection for National Poetry Month.
Each year instead of creating resolutions, millions choose one word to guide their journey. Why? One, meaningful word becomes a focal point, a reminder, anda guide throughout the year. It makes its way into your life, tugs at your heart, snuggles into your being, connects with your lifestyle, and accompanies you on your journey. It can be your mantra, your go to word, your star to follow.
This year, my word poured into my life space like a flowing rain, dropping sparkling particles all around. I felt the word surround me and connect to my 2016 word, believe, that I have held close to my heart.
Reflecting on my one word has led me through a progression of thoughts based on my previous one words:
This year,
I will continue
to stay in the moment,
to ponder the
infinite possibilities of life
with an open mind and spirit,
a listening ear to hear messages sent,
and a believing heart to lead me forward in faith.
This year,
I choose
JOY as my one word
to accompany me
as I journey through life
savoring the ordinary as opportunities
while yearning for an enriched, positive outlook.
My 2017 Creed:
With a genuine spirit of wonderlust, I shall notice and wonder more about the ordinary, the commonplace, and the small things in life, seek joy daily, and share thoughts and feelings on positivity. By searching for joy, I hope to send it out into the world as a reminder that a "joyful heart is good medicine..." (Proverbs 17:22)
I choose joy and this vocal by Sir Harry Secombe to celebrate my one word and this joyful celebration of others' words to guide all 2017 journeys.
Join in the celebration of joy by linking your one little word post for the start-up of the 2017 Spiritual Journey first Thursday designed by Irene Latham (originally created by Holly Mueller).All are welcomed to participate.
The monthly calendar for Spiritual Journey first Thursday is:
Closing wishes:
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing... -Romans 15:13
May all your 2017 words carry you along a pathway filled with promise and peace.
When Irene Latham suggested that the Spiritual Journey Thursday community founded by Holly Mueller reflect on their 2016 one little word, I wholeheartedly agreed. I have been on a continuous journey this year, following my word, #Believe, as it lit a path to possibilities.
When I first chose the word, I created a past, present, and future poem to trace what was and what could be. I found the word believe on kitchen towels and signs. I displayed it in my home as a reminder to keep the faith and believe in possibilities even when the path seemed unclear.
The 2016 journey is almost at an end. I am happy to say that many possibilities have become realities in both my personal and professional life. There are still roads to travel and paths to cross but with my previous words, openness, listen, and believe, I am ready for the challenges of 2017.
Please listen to the powerful song, Believe, that I found last January. It has a very positive message that I have tried to adhere to this year.
My one word, believe, served me well this year. It will be my guide transitioning me into 2017. Will you join me on the pathway to a new year of believing in the strength of the voice inside?
Thank you to Holly Mueller for creating Spiritual Journey Thursday and Irene Latham for reviving it.
When writing is needed to soothe the soul, it is time to turn to #haikuforhealing created by Mary Lee Hahn. December is a hectic month and there seems little down time so today it was my time to slow down. The yoga studio was just what was needed. Within the dim lit space, serenity surrounded me.
Then, I followed the path of peaceful vibes to the cathedral. During the sermon, I listened, received, and now will share what evolved from the sermon on this national holyday.
The care of the Earth is our most ancient and most worthy, and after all our most pleasing responsibility. To cherish what remains of it and to foster its renewal is our only hope.
~Wendall Berry
revitalization
One day a week I seek to rest from earthly toil and sorrow.
Revitilized, I find the strength to battle new tomorrows. ~Richelle E. Goodrich
revival
The beautiful spring came; and when Nature resumes her loveliness, the human soul is apt to revive also. ~Harriet Ann Jacobs
reawakening
When we awaken, we find that we are part of the one great reality and we realize our union with all things. ~ Paramananda
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Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in the year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.
Jeremiah 17:7-8
The earth opens up during springtime and gifts the world with joy. Poetry expresses the feeling of rejuvenation and rebirth during National Poetry Month. My thoughts of the revival of the earth are enhanced by the beauty I see around me and so I am moved to create. Please visit Holly Mueller's Spiritual Journey Thursday site here to discover additional readings on rejuvenation and its synonyms.
The joy of Easter has brought renewed spirits despite the cool temperatures of this spring. I, along with others, await the full warmth of springtime as the earth readies itself with new buds trying to pop their blooms each new day.
Be renewed in the spirit of the earth and of the heart.
Renewal is a message for both the temporal and spiritual worlds. On a night filled with the beauty of a crescent moon, St. Agnes Cathedral opened its doors for a Special Easter Mission, Renewed Church, Renewed Hearts In The Year of Mercy. When I saw the announcement of this event, I knew that I had to attend with my husband and son for a family friend and powerful speaker, Bishop Robert Brennan, was to lead the Tuesday night mission.
As Bishop Brennan addressed the parishioners asking all to share in the power of the altar, a peace entered the beautifully reconstructed cathedral. His reflection began with gratitude for the renewed beauty of this church that had been his home for many years. He asked us to ponder what we are grateful for. I remembered a day that I was grateful for, the day Bishop Brennan as a newly named Auxiliary Bishop married my daughter and son-in-law. After this brief reflective thought, I returned to carefully listening to the Bishop's words filled with a mix of scripture, poetry, and inspiration. This led me to select some of the Bishop's words to remix into my own poem.
You may be interested in listening to the beautiful song, Renew Me by Avalon.
Isaiah 40:30-31
Today is Spiritual Journey Thursday and I was moved to write this piece on a mission message and ceremony that touched my spirit. In the quiet of the church, as the incense rose, all on bended knees felt moved. May you be moved as well and be grateful for all you have. Please visit Spiritual Journey Thursday led by Holly Mueller here.
Today is Spiritual Journey Thursday under Holly Mueller and our blogging community is examining the spiritual aspects of Bobbie Ann Taylor's one word, merciful. This year, Pope Francis has called people around the world to embrace peace and hope for a new heaven and a new earth.
Below is an inspirational playlist to listen to while reading. Let mercy and good deeds reign to negate the negative realities of the world.
Embrace love, for mercy is
"as endless as the sea"
"The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting."
Psalm 103.17
We are privileged at St. Agnes Cathedral in Rockville Centre to be a stop on the spiritual journey pilgrimage during the Jubilee Year. As Pope Francis opened the Holy Doors at the Vatican, so too on December 12, 2015, Bishop Murphy opened the Holy Door of Mercy at St. Agnes to officially declare the Extraordinary Year of Mercy.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Matthew 5:7
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Please visit Spiritual Journey Thursday here to read what Holly and my writing colleagues are saying about Bobbie Ann's one word, merciful.
When I found this beautiful poster sent by my colleague, Evan Robb, I knew that it would be the entry into a blog post to mark the end of the March 2016 Slice of Life Challenge and Spiritual Journey Thursday's one word commentaries. When we live our story we make a bold statement on how our vision intersects life as we know it. We can positively accept the realities of life, rather than fantasizing on what could be or dwelling on what should not have happened. This leads us on to a journey of positivity, faith, and belief in the good rather than the negative.
Today, the Spiritual Journey Thursdaycommunity under the leadership of Holly Mueller is reflecting on fellow slicer, Donna Smith's one word bold. Bold is a word that speaks of determination to live life fully with mindful intent. Please spend 21 seconds looking at thisshort video I created last Easter. The wordboldlyis the focal point. You can access the video hereand then go on to read other SJT blogs on Donna's word bold.
On the day I called, You answered me;
You made me bold with strength in my soul.
Psalm 138:3
This marks the thirty-first poem of my Clearing a Path series for the Two Writing Teachers' March 2016 Slice of Life Story Challenge-Day 31. It has been an amazing journey in which I boldly reflected on life while purposefully clearing a path to springtime.
To join the collective chorus of cheering voices visit Day 31 of Two Writing Teachers' March Slice of Life Challenge here. Thank you, Anna, Betsy, Beth, Dana, Deb, Kathleen, Stacey, and Tara for filling this month with inspiration.
