December 2020 Note: I am rereading this post I wrote on December 31, 2019 and commenting on what really happened.
What are my hopes, dreams, and wishes for the new year?
A President of the United States students can emulate, look up to, and respect
When President Trump's name comes up in conversation amongst children, there is conflict. Children don't react to his presidency with collective respect, inspiration, or care. His rampant hate speak against so many individuals and groups has incited great dismay with regard to his role as leader of the United States. As an educator, I follow the law and do not share my political values in the classroom. I speak of our government roles and laws with respect, promise, and accuracy, yet I cannot help to notice that President Trump is a leader that many children and others do not respect. I look forward to having a new President of the United States elected in 2020 that children will look up, emulate, and respect.
Simply stated: One dream come true!
Family Positivity
I hope 2020 will bring my family positivity, positivity in their homes, with their loved ones, in their communities, and at their work places. I hope that they'll be able to ethically and respectfully live their lives, and I hope that our intimate and extended family members will be able to support one another in this end in many, many ways.
Family Positivity
I hope 2020 will bring my family positivity, positivity in their homes, with their loved ones, in their communities, and at their work places. I hope that they'll be able to ethically and respectfully live their lives, and I hope that our intimate and extended family members will be able to support one another in this end in many, many ways.
Another dream come true!
Celebrations
Now that I'm embracing a motto of "celebrate the good times," I look forward to celebrating lots of milestone events in 2020--events including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and more. Too often life gets bogged down with the difficult challenges and we forget to celebrate the good times. The celebrations don't have to be fancy to be positive, but can include wonderful simplicity such as a home baked cake, a family hike, singing songs, watching a good movie or visiting a place of interest.
Celebrations
Now that I'm embracing a motto of "celebrate the good times," I look forward to celebrating lots of milestone events in 2020--events including weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and more. Too often life gets bogged down with the difficult challenges and we forget to celebrate the good times. The celebrations don't have to be fancy to be positive, but can include wonderful simplicity such as a home baked cake, a family hike, singing songs, watching a good movie or visiting a place of interest.
The celebrations in 2020 were warm and simple--the milestone events such as my husband's 60th birthday turned out to be a wonderful sunset cruise with a small number of close family members in a place significant to my husband's family's history, Salem, MA. My son's wedding was postponed until fall of 2021 and I suspect that simplicity will be put aside as we may be able to not only celebrate the wedding, but potentially celebrate the end of the pandemic as well (fingers crossed). The celebrations as wished for included lots of home baking/cooking, hikes, movies, and interesting places (less than usual, but some nonetheless)
Teaching Well
I'm fortunate to work in a dedicated school system with wonderful colleagues, families, and students. I have learned that our strength comes from our collaboration, and I look forward to continued kind collaboration in the year ahead as we learn together and teach each other in ways that matter--ways that help every child to gain a wonderful foundation for good living in the world today and into the future.
Teaching Well
I'm fortunate to work in a dedicated school system with wonderful colleagues, families, and students. I have learned that our strength comes from our collaboration, and I look forward to continued kind collaboration in the year ahead as we learn together and teach each other in ways that matter--ways that help every child to gain a wonderful foundation for good living in the world today and into the future.
The pandemic led me to retire a couple years earlier than planned. The plans made by the school system worried me and did not match my vision for school life or safety during a pandemic. I had to make the choice to trust them or trust my gut instincts about what was best for my life at this time, and I decided to retire. I miss teaching, but in so many ways it has been the right choice including greater time for family including my 90-year-old parents and greater time to catch up on many long overdue projects and needed priorities.
Personal Care and Health
In many ways, my lofty, idealistic ways sometimes prevent me from the pragmatic, practical side of life including the daily habits and routines that make one healthy, energized, positive, and good to go at any event. I'll continue to strive for a good balance of idealism and pragmatism--the kind of balance that results in good heath and personal care. I know I'm not alone in this challenge, and I also know that I'm surrounded by a number of loving pragmatists who will help me on this journey.
Personal Care and Health
In many ways, my lofty, idealistic ways sometimes prevent me from the pragmatic, practical side of life including the daily habits and routines that make one healthy, energized, positive, and good to go at any event. I'll continue to strive for a good balance of idealism and pragmatism--the kind of balance that results in good heath and personal care. I know I'm not alone in this challenge, and I also know that I'm surrounded by a number of loving pragmatists who will help me on this journey.
In many ways, this continues to be a challenge for lots of reasons--a challenge I'll continue to chase. Let's see if I make some gains in 2021.
A Warm and Welcoming Home
I'll continue my life-long ambition to create a warm, welcoming home with continuation of the purge of all unnecessary objects and an aim towards simplicity, the kind of simplicity that lives up to the motto, "less things, more time."
A Warm and Welcoming Home
I'll continue my life-long ambition to create a warm, welcoming home with continuation of the purge of all unnecessary objects and an aim towards simplicity, the kind of simplicity that lives up to the motto, "less things, more time."
My husband and I have made significant gains in this area.
New Endeavor: The Arts
New endeavor always excites the spirit and enriches life, and on my wish list of new endeavor is more music, more theater, poetry, and more arts. I love what music, theater, and the arts can do for good living. I began the 2020 new endeavor menu by buying tickets to the play, Pilgrims, Musa, and Sheri in the New World. The play will open our eyes and invite my family members and me into a new world. Other ways I hope to invite more music, theater, and arts into my life include visiting new exhibits, museums, and getting together more often with my musician and writer friends at the places where they listen to music, share their writing, and play music.
New Endeavor: The Arts
New endeavor always excites the spirit and enriches life, and on my wish list of new endeavor is more music, more theater, poetry, and more arts. I love what music, theater, and the arts can do for good living. I began the 2020 new endeavor menu by buying tickets to the play, Pilgrims, Musa, and Sheri in the New World. The play will open our eyes and invite my family members and me into a new world. Other ways I hope to invite more music, theater, and arts into my life include visiting new exhibits, museums, and getting together more often with my musician and writer friends at the places where they listen to music, share their writing, and play music.
While we've watched a lot of good movies and series, read some books, and listened to music online, I miss the live theater, museum-going, and culture that brings us together and inspires us in 2020. We were able to see the play mentioned above before the pandemic struck and it was wonderful. I hope post-pandemic and during the Biden years, we will see a revival of culture in ways that bring us together as a country.
Frugality
We'll live simply so we can enjoy the activities we love most.
Frugality
We'll live simply so we can enjoy the activities we love most.
While it's not always fun to live with frugality, the pay-off of having the money you need for what's most important is a great value. For example, I just paid for another semester of my son's college experience. I've seen what that good investment has done for my other sons-it's a gift that keeps on giving. While it's not always enjoyable to save the money needed for valuable experiences like a college education--it's worth it.
My One Word: Reverence
My one word for 2020 is reverence and I hope to reflect, follow, and learn more about that concept throughout the year.
My One Word: Reverence
My one word for 2020 is reverence and I hope to reflect, follow, and learn more about that concept throughout the year.
While I made some headway with this one-word, I still have room for improvement. It may be my one word for 2021 as well. I'll think about that.
Mediterranean Diet
Beginning with the recipes in Soframiz, Vibrant Middle Eastern Recipes from Sofra Bakery & Cafe.
Earth-Friendly Lifestyle
I want to increase the ways I can live sustainably and respectfully so that I don't use more than my share of Earth's resources--I am fully aware that we all have to seek this direction in order to support a more equal and positive world for all people.
We made some good progress in this area, and still have a way to go. The best move in this direction we made was having a backyard garden where we got a significant amount of produce that enriched our diet. Also our move to a more plant-based diet eliminated waste, enriched our compost pile, and contributed to our gardening and health initiatives. I have to remember not to use/buy plastic use reusable bags, recycle as much as possible, and live as simply as possibly with repurposing objects rather than buying new. I also want to contribute to and advocate for initiatives that reduce pollution and protect our beautiful lands, air, waterways, and resources.
Whenever I make a list like this, I know that the list will change as life is not fully predictable, but a list like this helps to focus my time and energy in positive ways--it helps to bridge the pragmatist-idealist conflict that lies at the base of my being.
What's on your 2020 list? What did I forget?
Whenever I make a list like this, I know that the list will change as life is not fully predictable, but a list like this helps to focus my time and energy in positive ways--it helps to bridge the pragmatist-idealist conflict that lies at the base of my being.
What's on your 2020 list? What did I forget?