New rhythms

It’s been a while since I’ve blogged.  Way too long, in fact.  As I’ve shared before, this school year has stretched me in countless ways.  Many days, this means that I simply don’t have the energy to blog.  Or at least, that’s what I tell myself when I see the weekly call for slices.

But new habits can develop, and new rhythms can emerge.  Each March, when I take up my pen (or poise my fingers over the keyboard, as I do when I’m typing my posts), I realize that the rhythm of writing daily renews a part of me that can become buried in the endless to-do lists and worries, the stacks of professional reading or grading or lesson planning.  It allows me to process the seemingly unremarkable parts of my day and recognize the power of a single moment.

Today, that moment came as my class read chapter 14 of Because of Winn-Dixie.  This chapter is so powerful because it gives readers a closer, unfiltered look at Gloria Dump’s past.  Gloria Dump becomes a mentor or advisor to Opal, the main character, and my students quickly recognized her wisdom.  My classroom was silent as students listened during read-aloud this morning; I could see furrowed brows as they learned that Gloria Dump had a tree in her backyard filled with empty whiskey, wine, and beer bottles to remind her of her past mistakes.  As I continued reading, one quote resonated with us: “You can’t always judge people by what they done.  You got to judge them by what they are doing now.”

Gloria Dump’s words were a powerful reminder that regardless of past patterns or bad habits, I can choose to enter March with a renewed rhythm, a renewed sense of the present.  Blogging daily provides me space to ponder and linger.  It gives me peace and clarity.

New rhythms can bring new life.

I am participating in the Slice of Life challenge to write and publish a post each day in March.   Thanks to Two Writing Teachers for creating a place for writers to share their work all month long and hosting the March Slice of Life Story Challenge!