Daily Note
Instead of resolutions, many people choose just one word each year to live by, and Jon Gordon even wrote the book about it, with a “create a poster” widget for you to get started, while Ali Edwards has blog posts, workshops, and products for her ideas about One Little Word. And Happiness is Homemade is one of many places with word lists to help make the choice of “one word” of inspiration for a year.
My “One Words” stick with me for more than one year. I like the hum of its conscience uplifting me to be better. Some of my One Words:
- Joy 2015-17
- Story [Story / Frames] 2018-19
- Uplift [Uplift and Draw] 2020
- Resources for 2021’s One Word [I continued with Uplift]
This year I’m a bit stuck. I love Uplift because in these times we all need cheering up.
Now it seems we need to connect more, to network, to unite and bring people together, people with diverse ideas.
That’s tough when some of those ideas go against humanity by demonizing others of different cultures, religions, beliefs, lifestyles. It’s not what America has stood for, although not perfectly.
But that’s what we must do. We who believe in “live and let live” must be seen and our voices heard so we lift up everyone– even those who call us names and demonize us. We must build bridges of civil conversations and connect to work together though our paths arrive from different directions.
That’s what it seems to me must occur to recreate the vision of our world of one where we all belong, one of mutual respect and honest dialogue. I do believe that more people want to live in peace through our differences rather than live continuously dividing us.
I’m not sure I know how to do that, to build bridges. But I think Bridge might be my one word this year. I can look for opportunities, any way.
Perhaps you have ideas for making it happen? I know that all communities and neighborhoods have issues to deal with. Starting small and volunteering with others in the neighborhood or community often builds friendships between diverse peoples. Sometimes we need to work with others of neighboring communities to solve common issues. Start small and build out, building bridges of communication and collegiality along the way. What do you think?
And so a poem, a wish…
Poetry
A Wish
New Year’s Day
Sheri Edwards
Sends this wish your way:
Bountiful table, health, and joy,
Daily hugs, Peace to enjoy
A new year for all, and to each be blessed
A chance and choice to scatter seeds of kindness.
01.01.24 001.365.24
Poetry/Photography
Let’s build bridges…
#smallpoems #clmooc #poetry24 #oneword #onelittleword #bridges
A Calendar for You
Start the year with a free calendar, something the CLMOOC Collaborative, a group of friends from around the world have created for several years. Wendy T. puts all our art, poems, and puzzles together into a calendar we share with you.
We hope the new year brings positive energy and opportunities for creative collaboration to all of us, and peace for the world.
THE CLMOOC COLLABORATIVE CALENDAR FOR 2024 WEBSITE
CLICK FOR FREE DOWNLOAD — NO SIGN UP; JUST DOWNLOAD.
DESIGNED TO BE PRINTED DOUBLE SIDED OR CUT EACH PAGE INTO THREE FOR A SMALLER FORMAT.
ARTWORK CONTRIBUTORS:
SIMON ENSOR, KAREN YOUNG, SHERI EDWARDS, CHARLENE DOLAND, KEVIN HODGSON, NIALL BARR, MELVINA KURASHIGE, SARAH HONEYCHURCH, RON LEUNISSEN, MATT OFFORD, KIM DOUILLARD, TERRY ELLIOTT, RON SAMUL.
PUZZLES BY ALGOT RUNEMAN.
CURATOR AND CALENDAR DESIGN: WENDY TALEO
I wonder, if I draw a line... 
Sheri, I think “bridge” is a beautiful word. You already build bridges by trying to connect others through #CLMOOC and your poetry and art.
I’ve stuck with “present” for a couple of years (after “gratitude” for many years)… I may change it this year… I’ll have to write about it! 😉
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I searched for other words, but I kept coming back to bridge. Present and, of course, gratitude are two of the best words, and so important for teaching and working with kids, which you do so well. I look forward to your One Word.
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