Good morning and Happy New Year!
Yes, the year is well on its way and already World War III has been trending, but I wish you the most joyous of years. It may seem lame, but what the heck? I’d buy you a beer, but would you show up? 🙂
Anyway, I’d seriously considered NOT doing an OLW this year. I’ve been really in a funk and I looked at finding a word like making a resolution. Sure, they are great to research and fun to talk about, but when you reflect on them, you feel like crap because, “Wow, this did NOTHING for my life.”
However, it wasn’t until I read someone’s blog about their word that I came across renew. I wish I could remember which Slice of Life blog it was because I’d give you credit for your brilliance, but as it is, you can all claim brilliance here!
Renew just jumped out at me as something I need to do with my life. Webster Dictionary has several definitions:
-to make like new
-to restore to freshness, vigor, or perfection
-to make new spiritually
-to restore to existence
-to make extensive changes in
-to become new or as new
#seemsaboutright
I’ve been down for quite a while, and I feel like this is the time if ever there was one to find renew that dedication to a number of things in my life. This Sunday, these were the four things I wrote down in my journal:
- Connections
- I’m an introvert and very hard to get to know. I’m painfully shy with new people and don’t talk a lot anyway, which tends to put people off. Maybe it why words seem to flow better here because I’m not dealing with the looks and eye rolls and all the other nonverbal cues, but it’s difficult for me to make connections. This is one area to renew because my college friends mean a lot to me, as does my work family as well. I’d write about my personal family, but that’s a whole different post! However, they are all in need of a renewed sense of connection as well! 🙂
- Health
- I’m healthy, but not. Physically and mentally, I’m “fine” but could be so much better. We are taking a sixth month journey dealing with healthy eating (damnit) and exercise. We’ll see what this looks like. Renewing the commitment to myself to be more healthy, both inside and out, is a pretty big deal. This renewed focus should help me to be more “me”.
- Writing
- Today is my first blog. This should tell you enough. However, I’ve started looking at a couple of sites where I could get paid to write. Now, very rarely do I ever complete something I think is worth getting paid for, but it’s an idea. But not only that, just to renew the commitment to write on a regular basis. Again, it’s one of those “dang it, I didn’t write AGAIN,” that makes my soul unhappy. To just sit down with my computer and a notepad brings me a surprising amount of joy. To renew this in my life will be a good thing for sure!
- School
- The focus here needs to be renewed as well. I love coming to school and teaching. I love the smiles on the faces of those in class. I love seeing my co-workers and asking them about their own class. Then, why do I feel so crappy? A renewed sense of what I need from here as well as what my students need and what my work family needs will feel wonderful. I’ve pulled back a lot, and I’m not even sure why.
Renew.
One little word, making a difference. One little word, making an impact.
I only hope it can do this for me! 🙂
#positivethinking
January 7, 2020 at 5:51 pm
Here is to renewal and all your great plans. I’m always happy to read your voice and wish you well. Let’s decide that this word can and will change everything.
January 7, 2020 at 8:01 pm
Keeping my fingers crossed for this one. Just need to a big old refresh button on my forehead and away we go! 🙂
January 7, 2020 at 5:58 pm
I wish that there was a “Love” button for this post! I found myself nodding as I read (especially as a fellow shy introvert). I think that this is a fantastic OLW and you’ve encouraged me to think about the word renew.
January 7, 2020 at 8:02 pm
Why thank you, Jennifer! That thought of inspiring someone else just made my night! 🙂
January 7, 2020 at 6:12 pm
Great intro to olw, renew. I sure could use a renewal. At my house we’ve been trying strict healthy eating since the last Sunday of 2019. We are already so tired of it, but we keep trying because we know we will be healthier. I’m trying to focus on daily writing, but find myself struggling to write a sol for today. Let’s keep on with renewal.
January 7, 2020 at 8:03 pm
This is the tough one for me: the eating. My wife says I “eat like a teenaged boy”, which is probably more accurate than I care to admit. However, if I can look at my health, including my eating habits, good things will happen! 🙂
January 7, 2020 at 6:23 pm
You have many plans in place to renew in many areas of your life. I hope renew helps you lift out of your funk. Keep sharing. I love to read your work!
January 7, 2020 at 8:04 pm
I appreciate your comment. I’m a work in progress, 48 years in, so why would this year be any different?? 🙂
January 7, 2020 at 6:37 pm
In the spirit of bypassing the OLW fad this year, I almost chose “ignore,” so I appreciate where you’re coming from today. I hope “renew” works well for you. And I’d show up for that beer, depending on time and place. Might need a raincheck, if you’re too far away, until the road makes paths cross. ‘Preciate the honesty in your blog.
January 7, 2020 at 8:08 pm
That last sentence says many thing to me. I’ve been accused of “over sharing” on social media, but here, I feel a freedom that I don’t feel on FB or Twitter. Here I feel like I can be more true to me, if that makes sense! Thank you for your comment tonight and we’ll see if our paths cross! I love to find time to have that beer! 🙂
January 7, 2020 at 7:06 pm
Great word and connect with so much you say. STRENGTH is my word and I’ll share any extra with you. Of course, I would show up for a beer (or a pint of cider) Lets RENEW our school connection, but I’m going to eat french fries 😀
January 7, 2020 at 8:06 pm
I’d love to share my renew with your strength!
And a pint of cider sounds heavenly right now! I hope you are doing well, and I look forward to sharing some fries as well! 🙂