Tuesday, January 8, 2013

My word for 2013 re-defined

IRRIGATE

I wrote about my words for 2013 last week. All week I have been thinking about my words, and I decided that I need to simplify my words!!! Here is the simplified version of my word for 2013:

The word for my teaching life came so easy, but I struggled with a word for the rest of my life. But somewhere in the middle of the week everything started coming together. I asked myself why I made this whole "assignment" so complicated? There really is just one word for me this year: IRRIGATE! What does it mean for me outside of school?

  • irrigate my soul
    • feed my soul with the right stuff
    • build from the inside out
  • irrigate my body
    • keep it healthy
    • feed it by sleeping, nutrition, exercise (thank you fitbit)
  • irrigate my spirit
    • engage in interactions and reflections that nurture and grow my spirit
    • serve others as it feeds my spirit as well
    • ask God what He wants me to do, and then have the courage to do it
  • irrigate my mind
    • laugh and then laugh again
    • have fun
    • dream (as you are nver too old for dreaming)
    • maybe a new hobby
    • write more (waiting for March :-))
    • learn from others
There might be even a few more to add to the list. Excited to see how irrigation will go this year!!!!!
(Here is what I wrote one week ago about my life as an educator)
IRRIGATE

As I was thinking about my life as an educator, C.S.Lewis' words really hit it home for me. "The task of the modern educator is not to cut down jungles, but to irrigate deserts." So, how am I going to "irrigate" at work? I was re-reading my post that I wrote in December (you can read it here) where I talk about the challenges that I face to try to educate a new generation of students. 
Here are a few things I believe I can try this year to irrigate:

  • play with curiosity
  • teach with joy
  • be passionate about what I believe in
  • show interest (and then some more interest) in what my students find interesting
  • try something new in the classroom = be open to new ideas

22 comments:

  1. I liked the word last week, & now you've expanded the thinking & I loved hearing more. It really is a terrific word.

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  2. Jaana, so much from your OLW. I love the ways that you plan to irrigate in your classroom.

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    1. Thanks Ramona! Will keep the irrigation going.

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  3. What an unusual choice, and yet a word that has such rich use...your year will thrive with this sort of irrigation!

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  4. Wow! Who knew there could be so many wats to apply irrigate! This is great and a promising year it will be with this word.

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  5. I've never thought about irrigate in this way before. I love the way you spelled it out for yourself. It makes perfect sense!


    Happy 2013!

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  6. I love your word and your definitions. I really relate to your word because it is so similar to my 'flow'. Our desires intersect...especially this ask God what He wants me to do, and then have the courage to do it! I really need that courage sometimes. XO

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    1. Here is to wishing us both courage this year!

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  7. I love your word and all the reflecting you have done already to make it so meaningful. It is going to be amazing to see what all the year will bring and how this word will relate.

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    1. Thanks!When I met with my mentoring group today, I realized again, there is much need for irrigation!

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  8. Wow! I never would have thought of irrigate yet you uncover the richness of the word through different lenses. You make it clear that it is just the right word for you. I love the C.S. Lewis quote, too.

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    1. Thank you! I love C.S. Lewis and his way of expressing his thoughts.

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  9. wow - what a STRONG word with so much potential to grow, change and influence others. I must admit that the richness of words this week has inspired me ...and make me think deeply about what I want to be this year!

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  10. I love your word, IRRIGATE. Like the others, I had never considered all the different meanings it could take on. I love how you outlined your thinking for us -- I think your list could serve as my own. Best, b

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    1. Thank you so much! I continue to irrigate my soul!

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  11. It is an unexpected word, but makes so much sense when you explain it. You have a rich year waiting ahead with this word.

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  12. Your Blog blessed me today! Thank you
    Doria

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