Please post the link to your weekly Slice of Life in the comments to this post.
Remember, you may also complete the weekly Slice of Life in your Writer's Notebook.
I am feeling optimistic and reflective; thinking dually, “Ah, it’s already Thursday; time for slicing,” and “It’s the last slice of the year; what can I impart?”. But, I had to remember that many of the slices from our challenge in March and the continued weekly slices have shown myself to you and conveyed the things I want you to know – the journeying for happiness, the pleasant times with friends and family, the efforting to be better and get better at various aspects of who I am and can be. There isn’t a chance to live yourself from the beginning and restart the filmstrip so others can see what you value and believe in; you just have to live it. Perhaps conscientiousness and the pleasure of camaraderie are the lessons of the year: the daily bantering and chorus of smiling giggles throughout the classroom as you exchange jokes and looks that swirl back to classrooms and shared times from three grades or more ago; reading, writing, and sharing together. You all remind me of my own elementary, middle, and high schoolmates where “everybody knew your name...” and had grown up together and cared for one another.
As we prepare to wrap up our time together [and I’ll say now that I would keep you :-)], allow me to briefly share a few messages that have been most important – comforting and motivating – to me.
"Be kind - everyone you meet if fighting a hard battle." - Reverend John Watson
One of my favorite, most true to the essence of teaching quotes is from Mem Fox's book Radical Reflections; she says, "If we as teachers ache with caring, it will, perhaps, be possible for us to create classroom communities within our schools communities in which writing matters because it's done for real reasons by real writers who ache with caring for a real response." And that's what I hope slicing, BookTalks, conferencing about your writing, chatting on your way into and out of the classroom, and little pats on the back like StampSheets and peer-feedback cards have been for you - recognition that you are so valuable and your thoughts are vital to our community.
- Max Ehrmann -
Go placidly
amid the noise and haste,
and remember what peace
there may be in silence.
As far as possible without surrender,
be on good terms
with all persons.
Speak your truth
quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons,
they are vexatious to the spirit.
If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always
there will be greater
and lesser
persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements
as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career,
however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs;
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you
to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere
life is full of heroism.
Be yourself.
Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love;
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment
it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit
to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe,
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt
the universe is unfolding
as it should.
Therefore
be at peace
with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul.
With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is
still
a beautiful world.
Be cheerful.
Strive
to be
happy.