Writing in the Moment
This summer has been a difficult one in so many ways. Because of this, I find myself constantly looking ahead to things planned. I am counting treatments until my husband completes radiation. I am looking at the colorful square in my planner that announces Dear Evan Hansen. I mark days until our first cruise in December. I talk about retirement dreams- many years away. I even think about what I can get done next week before classes begin and work sets in at a crazy pace once again for fall.
I recently had the opportunity to assist for a short time with a writing camp for 5th-10th graders. The camp was place based in a beautiful spot in Wyoming. Students wrote inside, experimenting with a variety of genres. Students hiked and wrote outside as they were inspired by nature all around. On these hikes I found myself able to stop and just live in the moment. I rarely do this. I just sat with pen in hand and wrote thoughts, feelings, sounds, smells, views. It was freeing. I did not have a set agenda. I did not know what was going to pour out on the page. I just was. I was writing in the moment.
I was visiting Philadelphia a few years ago for a conference. My flight departed a morning after my colleagues' flights and I had a morning to stroll the streets and take in the city. I ended my adventure waiting in line for breakfast at the busy market. I noticed an older man watching me. I smiled at him and connected for a moment and then looked away, intent on my order. As I continued to wait he approached me. With a smile he asked, "Do you ever just be?". I asked what he meant and he explained that he had watched me walk laps around the market and then shift from foot to foot in line, moving my hips back and forth. We both laughed as he joked that I made him tired. It was a fun human encounter and an opportunity to laugh at myself but it was also something that has stuck with me and challenged me from time to time. Do I ever just be? The answer is rarely. But, when I do, as I did last week, I truly listen to my inner voice and the writing can often flow.
A new school year is upon us. I always have goals for my teaching. This year one of these goals is to give space for my students to "just be" with the material they are learning. I want to build in some time for processing through writing and talking in each class session. For myself, I want to continue to look ahead to fun plans and exciting adventures but I want to remember to live and write in the moment as well.
I recently had the opportunity to assist for a short time with a writing camp for 5th-10th graders. The camp was place based in a beautiful spot in Wyoming. Students wrote inside, experimenting with a variety of genres. Students hiked and wrote outside as they were inspired by nature all around. On these hikes I found myself able to stop and just live in the moment. I rarely do this. I just sat with pen in hand and wrote thoughts, feelings, sounds, smells, views. It was freeing. I did not have a set agenda. I did not know what was going to pour out on the page. I just was. I was writing in the moment.
I was visiting Philadelphia a few years ago for a conference. My flight departed a morning after my colleagues' flights and I had a morning to stroll the streets and take in the city. I ended my adventure waiting in line for breakfast at the busy market. I noticed an older man watching me. I smiled at him and connected for a moment and then looked away, intent on my order. As I continued to wait he approached me. With a smile he asked, "Do you ever just be?". I asked what he meant and he explained that he had watched me walk laps around the market and then shift from foot to foot in line, moving my hips back and forth. We both laughed as he joked that I made him tired. It was a fun human encounter and an opportunity to laugh at myself but it was also something that has stuck with me and challenged me from time to time. Do I ever just be? The answer is rarely. But, when I do, as I did last week, I truly listen to my inner voice and the writing can often flow.
A new school year is upon us. I always have goals for my teaching. This year one of these goals is to give space for my students to "just be" with the material they are learning. I want to build in some time for processing through writing and talking in each class session. For myself, I want to continue to look ahead to fun plans and exciting adventures but I want to remember to live and write in the moment as well.
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