Tuesday, January 26, 2016

My OLW


Two Writing Teachers Slice of Life

It's Tuesday.  Time to link up with Two Writing Teachers for Tuesday's Slice of Life.  I am a retired teacher, who pops in to share periodically there.  Pretty soon it will be March!  And then it will be a post a day there!

I have been struggling with if I want to try another OLW this year.  I've tried before, and gotten distracted early on - totally forgetting about my word.  But -
I'm going for it again.

I reread recent posts and thought about my life as I thought about the word possibilities. It became clearer to me what I have been doing lately; I found that I have been trying to live my life a little more boldly.

BOLD is what I want to be, how I want to act, how I want to do things, how I want to approach (of course with an LY then) things.  So maybe the word is actually BOLDLY.

I am going to eek push a little poem out and sneak deposit it in my pocket.
Scratch those meek words.  I need more flourish to nourish my soul!  (There's a line I can use somewhere else someday.)

BOLDLY
(There.  Let's see where this takes me.)

Boldly go,
Boldly speak,
Boldly light,
Boldly seek;
Fear is not
To be my plight,
Just be bold, focused of sight;
Boldly lost,
Boldly won,
Boldly planned,
Boldly done.
Stay the course,
To self be true;
Boldly smile when race is through.

by Donna JT Smith, January 25, 2016

I am not accustomed to being bold most of the time.  I say that, but some would say that isn't true.  I act bold sometimes, but it doesn't come naturally to me in most situations.  I can muster bold when I need to.  It's not very comfortable though.  My boldness can be crushed easily.

But I am going to work on bold boldly this year.  I want to make some bold strides toward what I'd like to accomplish - and hopefully (do bold people say that?) not get crushed.

Here are a few:

- get a poem in a written anthology.  I have no idea how to.
- illustrate a poem and publish it as a children's book.  I have no idea how to do that either.
- continue to lose weight.  I have an idea how to do that.  I just need to stay on this path.
- paint another picture that I wouldn't mind signing.  I'm not feeling bold about this.
- write all manner of meaningful things.  Scary for me.
- be the best me I can.  Can that ever really be done? (No, that wasn't bold...I can see that.)

Are you bold?  Do you travel life's road boldly?

How's this for being bold...oh-so-not-so-bold...
I am tempted to just delete this post.   
djfkljfklajdklfja;lfjf  That is me having a mini-melt.  I am okay.  I'm just not sure what I will do with this word (BOLD, not djfkljfklajdklfja;lfjf).  Not sure if I can live up to it, or hold myself to it.
But I haven't deleted it.
Who's up for getting a post card? (See how I cleverly distracted myself?)

I don't mean to be kind of self-promoting on SOL time, but...

Small print - not really an SOL unless you count it as BOLD, so you can skip this if you like:
Let me remind anyone who would like to take the "How To..." poem challenge, to send it in.  I will post the poems and your blog link this Friday.  (This was a BOLD move - to have an actual challenge posed by me, and that is a BOLD hint.
I am doing a postcard exchange with a small group this month, and have made some postcards - photos I've recently taken, with a haiku written for each.  Would you like an original, hand made (well, iPhone, and computer, and printer made) postcard - photos and poems by me?* 
If you would, I will mail one to you by the end of January**.  Please just email me your mailing address.  There are going to be plenty to go around!  If I find out your address, you may just get one even if you don't want it!  It's just my OLW taking over here! 
Here's my clever email address code so I won't get spam in my "important people" email box: 
d-j-t--sm-ith- -"a-t"--g--ma--il-"d-o-t"--c-o-m  Take out ALL the -dashes-, and use the signs for the "quoted words".  I hate that the computer bots are getting smarter all the time.  I shouldn't have to hide my email to protect it.  But this is one area I won't be bold in.
 
*I am actually having quite a few postcards printed through VistaPrint - they have a half off sale today.  It does mean they will be a little delayed in getting sent out. 
**You should have it by Valentine's Day at the latest.  Most likely earlier though!  It will still be winter!


15 comments:

  1. I'm glad you pressed publish, and I think you're already bold, all those wonderful words written are bold and beautiful! I would love a postcard, please, and if you've lost my address just let me know. I love hearing about your OLW & the path to it, Donna!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I am up and refreshed this morning, and thinking BOLDLY will be a good word. I have to put it on the refrigerator now and see how it changes my attitude about getting stuff done!
      And You, My Friend, were already on my list to receive a postcard, whether you asked for one or not! Actually, you are the one that made me think - "Hey, why not give one to everyone I have addresses for? Wait, why not anyone who wants one even if I don't have their address?" (a bold thought, I thought).

      Delete
    2. Thank you, Donna. Glad the morning makes everything look sunny, and bolder!

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  2. As Shakespeare said, "Boldness be my friend! Arm me, audacity, from head to foot!"

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, well quoted! I almost picked "audacious" but thought it might be a little too bold!
      I have your address and it's on a postcard...

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    2. Excited about the postcard! :-)

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  3. Love your word. Bold has so many meanings and can be expressed in so many ways. Wishing you well in a bold adventurous year.

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    Replies
    1. It does have so many subtle meanings. I think I can use it in many ways this year! Thanks for visiting today!

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  4. Life is too short not to be bold. Good luck reaching all your bold goals!

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Kate! Boldly heading to do the laundry now...THEN I'm getting my watercolors out! Boldly, of course.

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  5. Wow, you've made a bold statement with your OLW, boldly. Here's to an incredible journey with your word! I love that you're planning to put it on the fridge. Headed off to request one of those poems if they're not all gone.

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  6. Great word and even the background on your blog looks bold. I would be very pleased to receive one of your original postcard. I will send you my address. Bernadette

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  7. "I need more flourish to nourish my soul!" You've inspired BOLDNESS in us all! :-) I'd love a postcard!

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    Replies
    1. I can't locate your address. Could you send it to me? I'll definitely send you a card. Thanks!

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  8. Boldly go where you have never been before, Donna. I think your word and poem are a wonderful match for someone who wants to step forward in a BOLD way. BTW: I love your haiku postcards so those who receive them will be in for a treat.

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