Slice of Life Story Challenge Day 1 - Connect

I like setting little goals that I know I can reach. That is why, when in a professional development class, I found myself struggling. In the class, I was challenged to pick one word that I would live by for a year professionally and personally. I panicked because this was a really big goal and commitment! What a wonderful idea, what a great way to grow but a WHOLE year! Yikes! I can barely make it to the gym weekly. I knew my word would need to challenge me in small ways throughout the year. As I thought about my word I looked around the room. There were many great writers, friends, and colleagues, people I looked up to. I felt safe and knew if I needed help living by my word I would have friends to turn to. 

I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone with my word. I brainstormed a list of words and at the end of the class decided on one word. I created a Taxedo. Taxedo is similar to Wordle but you can choose the shape. I began having some trouble trying to size the word I picked to display larger than the other words in my list.  After several tries this one word from my list kept showing up larger than all of the other words. I was getting frustrated but for a moment paused and read the word in large bold letters. Connect! Out of the list of words, CONNECT is what I need in my life personally and professionally. I realized my word had picked me.

It is funny how since that day I have been connecting with others in so many different ways. I have began a blog that as of today is pretty bare on the front page but The Slice of Life page will soon be full of daily posts. My hope is that through the Slice of Life I am inspired to write and connect. My students have joined in the Slice of Life Classroom Challenge. I can’t wait to take this journey alongside of them!

Here I am connecting. What is your word for 2015?