As I sat in Commons trying to write this post an hour before it was due, I wasn’t really sure what I was going to blog about this week. I realized I was cold, and grabbed my new sweatshirt from my bag. As I pulled the “Vanderbilt English” sweatshirt over my head, I realized what I could write about… writing.
It seems so simple, but I guess I took telling y’all I love writing for granted. I felt like it was implied because, well, I’m writing these posts. But today, I’m not taking that for granted.
I love writing. I try to write as much as possible, and this year I decided I was going to start a Bullet Journal so I could try to write more.
I know it’s already February, but the front page of my Bullet Journal says “the year to…” with a graphic of a few things I wanted to focus on this year. Some of these things are directly linked to my writing, and some are not. But they’re all important to my goals and my use of that journal, so I thought I would explain what each of the graphics mean.
“Call home more” — I need to call my mom more. You probably should too… our parents miss us.
“Listen” — as a reminder to be a thoughtful listener. Not everything needs a response, but everything deserves to be heard.
“Escape sometimes” & “Know my limits” — to make sure I’m being cognizant of my own needs, and allowing myself to take a break if I need one.
“Let Him in” & ‘Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” — I want to focus on my faith more this year. Trusting in Christ who loves us so well.
“Love more; myself & others” — because this world needs a whole lot more love.
“Embrace Mondays” — They can be terrible… I know… but it’s just another day. A fresh start. This year I’m going to try and use that as a good thing.
“Focus on my words of ’19: congruency, devotion, reflection” — This year I didn’t give myself a “New Years resolution.” I gave myself three words to try and live out each day. “Congruency,” or “agreement and harmony; comparability.” I’m trying to live this by being congruent in my words and my actions. Following through. “Devotion,” or “love, loyalty, or enthusiasm for a person, activity, or cause.” I’m a very determined person, but sometimes that leaves me too focused on a colder side of things. Devotion has a more soft, human quality, and that’s how I want to work this year… devoted to things. And finally, “reflection,” or “serious thought or consideration.” Basically, am I actually being congruent? Devoted? Am I loving more? Embracing Mondays?
“Get my paragraph right” & “Remember to look up” — both of these are taken from an amazing book by Beck Dorey-Stein called “From the Corner of the Oval.” She opens one of her chapters with a quote from one of Obama’s Presidential speeches. It reads something like “we are all just living in this world that is one big paragraph. We need to get our paragraph right.” For me this means I need to focus on making sure my impact on this morning, this school, someone else’s life, is positive. Remembering to look up is my reminder to stop and let the good times sink in before they are gone.
“Be positive” — because we all need that reminder.
“Read” — because I love a good book.
“Drink a little less coffee” — because 2019 is the year to stop my coffee addiction… wish me luck.
This Bullet Journal certainly helps me to write. But it also helps me to remain aware of the goals I set for myself this year.
What are your goals? What can you write about?
Get your paragraph right this year.
Anchor down,
Brooke