I’m EMBRACE-ing 2015!

Word-of-the-Year-2015 Embrace

Each January, I choose a word of the year. This year, my word, my theme, is EMBRACE! I plan to try to embrace my writing life. If I can’t embrace it, I’m going to try to ditch it–either not do it (and quit feeling guilty about not doing it), outsource it…something. I love picture books, particularly poetry and nonfiction. I’m going to embrace this by focusing my reading on picture books and not feeling guilty about not keeping up with novels and older nf. I love writing, and I’m going to embrace it by ruthlessly cutting some non-writing tasks from my should-do list. I don’t always love promotion, but I’m going to continue to embrace it as a way to show love for books and thankfulness to my publishers. By purposely embracing the things I think are most valuable, I hope to have an even more positive, less stressed life.

 

 

62 Responses

  1. Great new year practice. It last all year through. I like your word choice for this year and the way you plan to make it a part of your decision making.

  2. Great new year practice. It last all year through. I like your word choice for this year and the way you plan to make it a part of your decision making.

  3. I like the way you chose a word that works for choosing what fits you, Laura. The OLW is important to so many in their lives. I wrote about mine too-loved hearing about yours!

    1. Thanks, Linda. Yeah, it’s kind of a technique for me to try rather than any specific item. That way I can adapt as necessary:>)

  4. I like the way you chose a word that works for choosing what fits you, Laura. The OLW is important to so many in their lives. I wrote about mine too-loved hearing about yours!

    1. Thanks, Linda. Yeah, it’s kind of a technique for me to try rather than any specific item. That way I can adapt as necessary:>)

  5. Lot’s of luck on the stress. I keep trying to lighten my responsibilities but for each thing I get rid of I add two more. Connie

  6. Lot’s of luck on the stress. I keep trying to lighten my responsibilities but for each thing I get rid of I add two more. Connie

  7. I have never thought of choosing one word to “embrace” for a year. What a challenge. For me the word would be problematic in that if I did declare something un-embraceable, I would still have trouble letting go. 😉

    1. Hehehe. Past words for me have included Focus, No (whittling down non-essential crap), Say Yes (taking risks), and Do Nothing (giving myself 10 minutes of sitting/dreaming time each day). I try to really choose something that is flexible, and I feel free to change its interpretation any time I want!

      1. Flexibility and change sound like two words upon which I need to focus and then to embrace all three. Thanks!

  8. I have never thought of choosing one word to “embrace” for a year. What a challenge. For me the word would be problematic in that if I did declare something un-embraceable, I would still have trouble letting go. 😉

    1. Hehehe. Past words for me have included Focus, No (whittling down non-essential crap), Say Yes (taking risks), and Do Nothing (giving myself 10 minutes of sitting/dreaming time each day). I try to really choose something that is flexible, and I feel free to change its interpretation any time I want!

      1. Flexibility and change sound like two words upon which I need to focus and then to embrace all three. Thanks!

    1. It’s so hard to do, because there are way too many worthwhile tasks and only so few hours…

    1. It’s so hard to do, because there are way too many worthwhile tasks and only so few hours…

  9. I love this word and concept! Maybe I will steal it! The word “embrace” has such a positive feeling for me. It makes me smile. It makes me feel like skipping. It brings up great memories. It spurts good chemicals around in my brain. Yes, I am going to steal this word! Thanks, Laura!

    1. You are welcome, Julie! Happy to share–I totally agree. It does make me feel like skipping. I’m working on a revision that I’m totally exasperated with today (that I don’t really feel like I should have to do). But I’m committed to and have already been paid for the project, so it’s not a choice. Even just saying, “I’m embracing this revision. I’m going to give it my very best shot in the X hours I have,” makes me feel better. For a few minutes, at least:>)

  10. I love this word and concept! Maybe I will steal it! The word “embrace” has such a positive feeling for me. It makes me smile. It makes me feel like skipping. It brings up great memories. It spurts good chemicals around in my brain. Yes, I am going to steal this word! Thanks, Laura!

    1. You are welcome, Julie! Happy to share–I totally agree. It does make me feel like skipping. I’m working on a revision that I’m totally exasperated with today (that I don’t really feel like I should have to do). But I’m committed to and have already been paid for the project, so it’s not a choice. Even just saying, “I’m embracing this revision. I’m going to give it my very best shot in the X hours I have,” makes me feel better. For a few minutes, at least:>)

  11. Great word, Laura. I read that it’s good to stop doing unproductive things, and my word was momentum but I changed it to discipline. I might be greedy and have both. Happy New Year!

  12. Great word, Laura. I read that it’s good to stop doing unproductive things, and my word was momentum but I changed it to discipline. I might be greedy and have both. Happy New Year!

  13. A great word to use to help yourself find direction and stay on course! Have a happy and success-filled 2015, Laura. By the way, this reminded me…I’ve been wondering whatever happened to that poetry-teaching book you were putting together?. Any news?

  14. A great word to use to help yourself find direction and stay on course! Have a happy and success-filled 2015, Laura. By the way, this reminded me…I’ve been wondering whatever happened to that poetry-teaching book you were putting together?. Any news?

  15. Laura,

    I am enjoying your site and your poems. I like that they are concrete, simple, yet explain BIG concepts to young children. These poems are happy, colorful and would be very, very interesting to children.

    I also love your choice of the word embrace for 2015.

    I am a teacher and an author. My most recent children’s book is called Imagine That!, a book of meditation stories and activities for children at YouthLight, Inc. I,too, like to use nature in my writing.

    What you are doing, and I hope I am also contributing to this, is to help children understand their world.

    Congratulations on your achievements, Laura!

    1. Thanks, Janis, and congratulations on your book! Yes! That is my overarching goal–help kids understand and love our amazing world. That’s why my blog tagline (even though I don’t use this enough anywhere else) is Writing the World for Kids. I want to write about the world, especially but not always the natural world, and I also think books can Right the World, so it’s a subtle double-meaning, too. (Of course, sometimes I just write stuff I think is funny or silly or interesting, too.) Lovely to be on this journey with you and other writers and teachers!

  16. Laura,

    I am enjoying your site and your poems. I like that they are concrete, simple, yet explain BIG concepts to young children. These poems are happy, colorful and would be very, very interesting to children.

    I also love your choice of the word embrace for 2015.

    I am a teacher and an author. My most recent children’s book is called Imagine That!, a book of meditation stories and activities for children at YouthLight, Inc. I,too, like to use nature in my writing.

    What you are doing, and I hope I am also contributing to this, is to help children understand their world.

    Congratulations on your achievements, Laura!

    1. Thanks, Janis, and congratulations on your book! Yes! That is my overarching goal–help kids understand and love our amazing world. That’s why my blog tagline (even though I don’t use this enough anywhere else) is Writing the World for Kids. I want to write about the world, especially but not always the natural world, and I also think books can Right the World, so it’s a subtle double-meaning, too. (Of course, sometimes I just write stuff I think is funny or silly or interesting, too.) Lovely to be on this journey with you and other writers and teachers!

    1. Thank you, Margaret! It was so wonderful to meet you in person–will you be at IRA or NCTE this year?

    1. Thank you, Margaret! It was so wonderful to meet you in person–will you be at IRA or NCTE this year?

    1. Thanks, Diana, and happy 2015! Embracing the writing itself is usually not my problem…it’s all those other things that go along with career-building. But they’re a package deal. So, I need to prioritize, ditch some, and embrace the rest!

    1. Thanks, Diana, and happy 2015! Embracing the writing itself is usually not my problem…it’s all those other things that go along with career-building. But they’re a package deal. So, I need to prioritize, ditch some, and embrace the rest!

  17. What a terrific word. You’ve built in discernment right there! Mine is Clarity. Last year it was Patience, the year before Fiat! I’ve found this a great way to work on the qualities I need to develop. Thanks for your lovely post. Happy New Year, Laura!

    1. Happy New Year, Vijaya! Good to hear from you:>) Ah, Clarity. That is a wonderful word and something I am constantly looking for:>)

  18. What a terrific word. You’ve built in discernment right there! Mine is Clarity. Last year it was Patience, the year before Fiat! I’ve found this a great way to work on the qualities I need to develop. Thanks for your lovely post. Happy New Year, Laura!

    1. Happy New Year, Vijaya! Good to hear from you:>) Ah, Clarity. That is a wonderful word and something I am constantly looking for:>)

  19. Laura,
    Would you be willing to share how you created this poster? I’d like to create some of my own. If you’d like, email me offline.

      1. Laura,
        I appreciate you sending the links. I tried one site out and quickly created a poster. It was easy and user friendly. The poster is for an upcoming post. I’m learning more and more and more technology “tricks,” thanks to people like you who are willing to share!

  20. Laura,
    Would you be willing to share how you created this poster? I’d like to create some of my own. If you’d like, email me offline.

      1. Laura,
        I appreciate you sending the links. I tried one site out and quickly created a poster. It was easy and user friendly. The poster is for an upcoming post. I’m learning more and more and more technology “tricks,” thanks to people like you who are willing to share!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Join 2,547 other subscribers

Are You Looking For?

Poetry Friday posts

Classroom Connections posts

All my poetryactions

Go to my Poetry page for:

  • National Poetry Month projects through the years
  • Small Reads Roundups (poems grouped by topic)
  • Introductions to several favorite poetry forms
Tags
#waterpoemproject15 Words or Less Poems20for2030 Painless Classroom Poems50 State Poemsacrosticsactivity pagesactivity sheetALAA Leaf Can Be...Amy Ludwig VanDerwaterA Need to FeedanthologiesanthologyA Rock Can Be...art projectsaudiopoemsawardsbad newsBarbara Juster EsbensenBilly Collinsbiopoemsblog tourbookalikesbook festivalsBookSpeak!book spine poemsbook trailersbop poembyr a thoddaidcafepresscalendar poemsCamp Read-a-LotCan Be... bookscan be... poemsCapstoneCarol Varsalonacascade poemsCatherine FlynnccbcCCRA.W.3CCRA.W.4CCRA.W.5centoschapter booksCharles Waterschoral compositionschristina rossetticinquainsCLAclassified ad poemsclassroom connectionclassroom connectionsClover Kittyconferences and conventionscrown sonnetscybilsdansaDare to DreamDavid Elliottdeeper wisdom poemdefinitosdiamantesdiversitydizaindodoitsuDot DayDouglas Floriandownloadablesdrum corpse.e. cummingsekphrastic poemsepistolary poemsequation poemsessentialethereeseventsexquisite corpseFairy Tale Garage Salefamilyfibonaccifiction picture booksfinding familyfirefightersforeign editionsfound poemsfree author zoomsfree versefrom studentsgeesegeorgia heardghazalGift Taggiveawaygolden shovelgoldilocksgratitudehaikuheart of aheart of a teacherHeidi MordhorstHelen FrostHighlightshow-to poemshow to make a rainbowI Am FromI Am poemsidiomsif you want to knit some mittensIf You Were the MoonILAimagepoemsinterviewin the middle of the nightIRAIrelandIrene LathamJ. Patrick LewisJanet WongJoyce SidmanKendraKerlanKidlit Comboslailaura's board booksLaura's booksLaura's poemsLaura's readingsLaura ShovanLee Bennett HopkinsLilian MoorelimericksLinda Booth SweeneyLine Leads the WayLion of the Skylist poemslittle free librarylive writingLullaby and Kisses Sweetlyricsmadness poetrymagnipoemsmargaret simonMarilyn Singermary lee hahnmask poemsMatt Forrest EsenwineMeet My FamilyMelissa StewartMentors for Rentmentor textsmetaphorMichelle Myers LacknerMillbrookMinnesota Book Awardsmoneymoonmy reading lifemy writing processN+7naaninarrative poemsNational Poetry Month 2012 (haiku a day)National Poetry Month 2014 (riddle-ku)National Poetry Month 2015National Poetry Month 2016National Poetry Month 2017 (#wonderbreak)national poetry month 2018 (haiku a day)National Poetry Month 2020National Poetry Month 2021 (#EquationPoem)national poetry month 2022 (sticky-note poems)National Poetry Month 2023 (Digging for Poems)National Poetry Month 2024 (magnipoems)ncteNerdy Book Clubnifty newsnifty stuffNikki Grimesnonfictionnonfiction booksNonfiction Writers Dig Deepnovelsnovels in verseodesOne Minute Till BedtimeoppositifyOskar's VoyagepadletpantoumsparodiesPatreonpeacepersonalpet poemsphotopoetryphrase acrosticspicture booksplagiarismpoempicspoemspoems for two voicespoemsketchpoetic pursuitsPoetry 7poetryactionspoetry activitiesPoetry Blastpoetry booksPoetry FridayPoetry Friday AnthologiesPoetry Princessespoetry promptspoetry sistersPoetry Tips for Teachersprogressive poempublishing processpuddle songPutridquotationsraccontinosRandy Salasread-aloudreadaloudreading poetry in the classroomRebecca Kai Dotlichrecipe poemsrefugeesresearchreview copiesreviewsrevisionrhyming booksrhyming nonfictionrhyming picture booksRhyming Picture Books the Write Wayrhyming poemsRiddle-kuriddle poemsRock Can Be...Rock the Blogrondeau redoublesRudyard Kiplingsalas snippetsSCBWIschool visitsScotlandseasonssecrets of the loonSELsestinasshrinking daysskinnyskypeslice of lifesmall readssnack snooze skedaddlesnowman-coldsonnetsStampede!storm poemstorytimestorywalkstudent poemsstudent workSylvia VardellTanita Davistankatautogramteachableteacher resourcesteen/adult poemsterza rimasthankfulthank yous and referencesthe business sidethings to do iftracy nelson maurertrioletstunie munson-bensonvideosVikram MadanvillanellevillanellesWater Can Be...wealthy elementaryWe BelongWhat's InsideWhy-kuwinterwonderwonderbreakword of the yearwordplaywordsmithswork for hirewritingwriting bookswriting processwriting promptswriting the life poeticyoung authors conferencesYouTubeZapZap Clap Boomzenozentangle
Show More Show Less

Discover more from Laura Purdie Salas

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading

Join Laura's monthly newsletter for eductators

Get three of Laura's favorite poetry activities when you subscribe to "Small Reads."