Draw a Wider Circle {CELEBRATE This Week: 222}
The writer in me really loves this week — the week between saying goodbye to one year and hello to the next. I get all hyped up on the reflection and anticipation.
I’m celebrating words — little words that make a big impact. I’ve lived One Little Word since 2006. You can find my list of words here. This year steadfast just felt right. I ordered my 2017 word on a Giving Key and set out to be steadfast in living a strong story.
I was mistaken to think that steadfast would be about holding steady and remaining the same. In August I gave it away to my friend Jasmine. (You can read about it here and see sweet pics of her forever family, that has now grown with an addition of another foster baby.) I replaced it with LET GO.
You might think this is the exact opposite of steadfast.
One of the reasons I chose steadfast is because of the etymology of the word, which comes from Old English meaning to stand firm. What I learned is that standing firm isn’t equivalent to staying the same.
Jasmine picked me up a few weeks ago for a little Christmas shopping and coffee. The Giving Key hung from her rearview mirror. It made me smile. “I can’t really wear necklaces with all the littles in the house, and I spend so much time driving that I figured this was the perfect place for it.”
Steadfast hung and reminded me once again that it isn’t about things staying the same. It had been too long since Jas and I spent time together. I realized then that being steadfast was about drawing a wider circle. In order to be steadfast, I needed to let go of other things. As I let go of expectations and relationships that hindered me, I was able to draw a wider circle, loving more people and serving in bigger capacities.
Some years I link scripture to my One Little Word. This was one of those years…
The steadfast love of God never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22-24).
I thought it was a scripture about holding steady. Now I realize it’s also a scripture about letting go so there can be new growth. Part of being steadfast is learning to let go so there can be new creations.
In life this looks like new friendships and new habits. It’s new recipes and new memories. It’s also loyalty to solid friends and habits. By being steadfast, I learned to draw a wider circle…not a new circle, just a wider one.
I don’t plan to stop.
I celebrate learning to be steadfast, but not stagnant.
This post is part of a weekly offering to celebrate in the middle of the muddle. I hope you join the celebration!
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I hope you know just how wide your circle is. and the best part about your circle is that it always has opening. I am blessed to have you in my circle. Happy New Year and Happy One Little Word. Look forward to seeing what new word has found you for 2018!
Here is my link: https://adayinthelifeof19b.blogspot.com/2017/12/celebrating-tribute-to-ruth.html
New every morning- there is our hope. Happy to know you, Ruth, and to read your words.
Here is my link:
https://newtreemom.wordpress.com/2017/12/29/celebrating-time-to-read/
I forgot to share this last week! I decided to try and create a video throughout the last week of school before break with a celebrate mindset. I’m happy with how it turned out. Thanks for being inspriing! https://youtu.be/57ar8YZm7ds
*inspiring
Colby, I don’t know where to comment. I loved your video, sounds like a perfect week. Each day with a ‘treasure’ of an activity!
You have an incredible principle!! Thanks for the video.
Loved your video, Colby. Your classroom is such a wonder-filled one that must make each child truly happy to be a learner. Happy New Year!
Thank you Ruth for your wise reflection on what it means to be steadfast. You are steadfast in your belief in each of us as writers. I am grateful that you will continue to nudge us to write, reflect and celebrate.
Here is my link
https://lisakeelerblog.wordpress.com/2017/12/30/celebrate-this-week-celebrating-2017/
There is a part of me that connects to your moving from (or reconsidering) ‘steadfast’ to ‘letting go’ but in a different way, Ruth. With your new work I imagine the circle will also grow larger. Best wishes in all things this coming 2018. Thank you for continuing our celebrations together.
I forgot the link: http://www.teacherdance.org/2017/12/looking-behind-ahead.html
What a beautiful reflection on steadfast. You growth in understanding was true to your word and who you are. thank you for being a mentor as a writer and a human.
– julieanne
Here’s my link reflection on my OLW:
https://jarhartz.com/2017/12/30/celebrate-olw-2017-lift/
I am so glad that you continue with the blog. Celebrations matter. Wishing you an awesome 2018!
https://justforamonth.blogspot.com.ee/2017/12/celebrate-2017.html
I am glad to be a part of your circle, Ruth, where your steadfastness to what is of real value is both cherished and needed. Thank you!
https://ateachinglifedotcom.wordpress.com/2017/12/31/celebratelu-celebrating-the-zacks-in-my-classroom/
So happy to be part of your circle. It feels like being in a group hug and knowing you are part of that group hug makes me smile. Love to you! Happy 2018!
http://www.storyexploratory.com/2017/12/join-celebrating-2017-successes.html
So glad you drew that wider circle. Being part of this small tribe is a joyous celebration each week. Love and wishes for a Happy New Year!
https://pleasuresfromthepage.blogspot.com/2017/12/celebrate-this-week-year-end-musings.html
I’m so glad to be part of this group. Here is my final celebration of 2017. http://readingtl.blogspot.com/2017/12/celebrate.html
I love your One Little Word idea! “Moxie” is a powerful one! I am still pondering my word for 2018 but think it will be “balanced.” Thanks for reminding us that being steadfast can mean letting go. It reminded me of an old post of mine (http://mycoachescouch.blogspot.com/2013/05/letting-go.html) – and also my session coming up at #CCIRA18 “Let it Go: Releasing Responsibility when Coaching.” Excited to meet new colleagues there! Here’s my celebration – final post of 2017:
http://mycoachescouch.blogspot.com/2017/12/coaching-forward.html
This was such a beautiful post, Ruth, and you now have me thinking of what my one little word would be. I wrote this blog post around a phrase, rather than a word, but perhaps my word would be: start! https://stephanieaffinito.blogspot.com/2018/01/start-somewhere.html
Ruth, your post was as insightful and celebratory as always. Your one word, steadfast, allowed you to be true to your calling of celebrating life and bringing us all into the circle. With steadfast faith, we continue to widen the circle and bring positivity to the forefront of what we do. Thanks for leading the way, Ruth. My post is late but that’s what happens to me when I am trying to savor every moment of holiday time. “Celebrating Granbaby’s First Christmas at http://beyondliteracylink.blogspot.com/2018/01/celebrating-granbabys-1st-christmas.html