One Little Word 2015: Read
by Stacey
The internet is abuzz with talk of words. Or rather, One Little Word. A word that will direct us for the year. A word that will remind us to live with intention and purpose. I have chosen a word in the past. Last year, for example, my word was shine. Each year, I have spent a lot of time thinking and writing about my word for about a month and then it totally slips my mind. When I think about it again, my word is surrounded by guilt that I have forgotten to focus on my word.
This year, I thought I would skip the whole process. Nothing to feel guilty about if I didn’t even try, right? Well, it turns out that everywhere I looked, there was talk of One Little Word projects and I missed mine. I decided though, that I wouldn’t push myself to choose a word before the first of the year. I would let my word find me.
Today, I read what Kimberly at Books First In Maine had to say about her word, write, and I had a breakthrough. My word could be READ. At first, this felt like a weird choice because I have always tried to pick a word that would change me a bit and push me a little to meet a goal. I already read a ton so maybe this wasn’t such a great choice?
Then I thought some more about one of my overarching goals for the year: to grow this blog space and my role as a literacy expert. For years, over a decade, in fact, I have written a blog. Many people have read my words but I have kept my reach relatively small. In the back of my mind though I have bigger plans. I wish for blog readers who consider me their go to for literacy information for people both big and small. I have plans to be this generation’s Jim Trelease (author of the Read Aloud Handbook). I would love to review books on the Today Show.
So… my word this year is READ. I am going to read a lot and write a lot about reading. I am going to talk about reading and think about reading. These things will be easy. The challenge lies with what I do with all my reading. I need to think and plan a bit more before I answer that question but the process has begun.
I’m excited to see where this leads me. I hope to come back with updates throughout the year. For now, I am off to READ.
Love your word for the year. I have goals of reading more this year, for pleasure, but also to improve my writing. I look forward to following along, and maybe finding a few gems to read through you 🙂
Thank you Kim! Can’t wait to share!
Happy New Year, Stacey! I love your word and more than that, I love the motivation behind it. I am really looking forward to reading more of your words this year and watching you soar.
Thank you Kristen!
As I made my vision card for my 2015 word, I thought of you, and last year, and how you’ve shined! This year’s word is perfect for where you are and your intentions. Hope it guides and supports you, as we selfishly await your sharing. The word that found me is EASE…wish me luck!
Thank you Donna! And I love your word- ease. How perfect. I feel myself taking a deep breath just thinking about it!
Wonderful word Stacey! But something struck me about your word, because even though I think Read in and of itself is a fantastic idea, it seems to me your word isn’t just about reading per say, it’s also about reaching (like Kristen’s choice) for bigger goals because of your reading. Here’s to you growing and reaching through all the reading you will do.
So glad to have found your blog and look forward to reading more of your words in 2015!
I think you are right Dana! Read and reach it is!
Perfect word, really. I have never chosen one before but this year, it chose me. And I just ran with it.
I feel like Dana feels – that READ for you takes on more than one meaning.
So glad I’m seeing your comment now. I sat down to read your Moose post yesterday and got distracted. Off to enjoy all those great photos right now!
Read. Such a great word choice. I think of read as a word of so much potential – the promise of learning something about yourself, having a good cry over a character or changing your perspective about an issue. Looking forward to hearing how you navigate read in 2015. Happy New Year, Stacey!
Thanks Rudri. I think there are a bunch of ways to look at the word read. Not quite sure what routes I will take… Guess I’ll have to wait and see!
What a perfect word for you. I love that you put your dreams out there. That’s when the magic happens:)happy New Year!
Thank you Pamela. I always love seeing your name pop up here!
I LOVE what you’ve said here, about Reading and marking your brand as a literacy expert. You certainly have what it takes. I’d love to talk more about this sometime. Go Stacey!
Thank you Jennifer!