Happy Poetry Friday, friends! This week, Tabatha is hosting the roundup at her space, The Opposite of Indifference. You'll find many poetry delights waiting for you there!

This week, I will be wrapping up a month long blog series centered around reflection. I have learned so much about myself as a writer throughout this series and will continue to do so, but the thing that has bubbled up the most for me throughout this process, is that response drives reflection. Response is a powerful action. Our response to reflection can spark so many new thoughts and purposeful change. The same thing is true when someone responds to our reflections. Our words and thoughts are validated. They matter. We all need someone to share our reflections with. Our responsiveness to life and to each other is worth sharing. 

We each have a unique voice to be heard. What makes yours unique? What is it that others might miss out on if you did not share your voice? What are you passionate about sharing with others? Write something you care about, something you want to stir up a bit. If you do, I invite you to share your learning reflections with the #TeacherMyth followers on Twitter. This group is also thinking deeply about reflective practices and the power of response. 

Hooray for Poetry Friday! Thank you so much for dropping by the ridge for a visit. Our friend Tara, is hosting this week at her space, Going to Walden.

I have been spending a lot of time reflecting on change these past couple of weeks. Change is an interesting topic to explore. I've become rather fascinated with the nature of change and our relation to it. I think there can definitely be some validity in the idea that the magnitude of change lies in the eye of the beholder. We all perceive and react to change differently. I have noticed this quite often with fellow colleagues in education. I think the important thing is to reflect on the change both individually and with others who face the same challenge. It's a process that demands our attention, reflection, and understanding. Sometimes we choose change, and sometimes it's chosen for us. It can be both easy and hard. And depending on the change and the implications, we can find ourselves feeling really any place on the spectrum. Whatever change we may face, reflection through talk and writing can help. It has certainly helped me understand the impact that change has in my life. Change often invites me to grow and stretch myself. That's one invitation, I'm always willing to accept. 

Careful reflection can often lead to meaningful change in our lives. If you have discovered helpful ways to use reflection to create powerful change, I invite you to share your learning reflections with the #TeacherMyth followers on Twitter. This group is also thinking deeply about reflective practices. 

Happy Poetry Friday! Thank you for visiting the ridge. This week, Tricia is hosting the round-up at her space, The Miss Rumphius Effect. You can find more poetry offerings there!

As a writer, I try to live a wide-awake life. When I do, I notice how much it improves my life and my interactions with everything around me. There is something extraordinary that happens when the lens of attention begins to focus and sharpen. There is an immediate connection between myself and whatever I have stopped to acknowledge has come into my frame. And whatever it may be, it is worthy of my attention. It becomes the center of everything. Through this simple act of noticing, I learn something more about this life.

"The dream of my life
Is to lie down by a slow river
And stare at the light in the trees-
To learn something by being nothing
A little while but the rich
Lens of attention."

-Mary Oliver from her poem, Entering the Kingdom

Mary Oliver was a true master of the art of noticing. Her wise words will continually inspire me to live with a lens of attention. There is so much in this world to delight in. ​

Noticing often leads to learning. We can learn so much about ourselves and others through the simple act of noticing. Try practicing the art of noticing to see what comes of it. Pay close attention to details and ask yourself questions to lead to reflection. 

Where are spaces in your day that you are building a habit of writing and reflecting? What are you noticing and learning about yourself as a result? If you try out the art of noticing, I invite you to share your learning reflections with the #TeacherMyth followers on Twitter. This group is also thinking deeply about reflective practices and the power of noticing. There is so much to learn about ourselves and the world around us through a careful lens of attention ! 

Happy Poetry Friday! Thank you for visiting the ridge! Be sure to stop by Kat's space HERE for more poetry delights this week. 

I don't generally make resolutions at the beginning of a new year, but I do make a point to reflect on my personal and professional life. My writing life has always helped me balance them both, so I'm happily reclaiming my writing life this year. It's time to prioritize my time and energy to those things that matter most. My family and the work that I do as an educator to serve children and others will always be top priority. My writing must be a high priority as well. Writing completes me. I am better for myself and others when I write often. 

So after reflecting on how I spend my time, I have decided to be more intentional about creating a space in my day to write.

1. Instead of plopping down on the couch to watch tv, I can read from one of the many books in my stack and jot down my favorite line. I can come back to it later as an invitation to write. 
2. Instead of checking Facebook during moments of wait time or boredom, I can step outside and check out all that nature has in store for me to write about! Wait time is write time.

I know it will be difficult at times, but I am determined to return to my writing life this year. I know that what I focus on, I'll get more of. Whatever your goals or priorities may be this year, I hope you also find your creative space to reach them.  

I have been thinking a lot about the reflection process lately, along with many of my teacher colleagues. It's a great topic to explore as a writer. One of my friends, Aaron Hogan, author of Shattering the Perfect Teacher Myth, has initiated a blog challenge over the next few weeks to write a reflection in response to a given prompt. I think it's a wonderful invitation to write, so I have decided to accept his challenge. If you would like to join in, I will be including his weekly prompt in this section of my blog or you can find the prompts on Twitter at #TeacherMyth. 

​This week, notice how you're using your time. Is there a space in your day to build in some time for reflection? 

Happy Poetry Friday and welcome to 2019! For more of the first round-up of the new year, visit Sylvia at her space HERE.

This past week, I have engaged in many moments of deep reflection. I find that endings and beginnings in life are great reminders of the power of reflection. There is much to ponder in life and reflecting on my inward most thoughts can truly bring me perspective. There are many forms of reflection, but some of my favorite reflections take on the shape of a poem. My "New Year" reflection poem began with nature at the workbench. At first, I marveled at the sky and made note of it in a single line. My thoughts quickly turned to reflections of my feelings about the end and beginning of a year. During the revision of this poem, I decided to work in some personification and rhyme. I also broke the original three stanza poem up a bit as well. It just seemed right! Happy writing and reflecting to all of you in 2019!

New Year

​The sunset on the last day of the year lit up the sky
like bursts of fireworks in a grand finale
with magnificent hues of blush and baby blues.
 
Clouds sweep away
all my worries and strife.
 
New Year gives new breath
and fresh life.
 
Sun will set,
leaving me without a single regret.
 
Future is on the rise,
my dreams, a rainbow of hope.
 
And yet,
the unexpected surprise
of life is what I love best.
 
© Kiesha Shepard

Reflection can be a vital process for writers. Reflection can help us contemplate our thoughts and consider all aspects of our thinking. I think one of the best things about reflection is that it can happen anytime and anywhere. For me, reflection happens quite naturally when I am surrounded by the sounds of nature. Where and when do you find reflection most beneficial for you? Try spending some time reflecting on your hopes and goals for yourself this year in your most natural reflection spot. May it lead you to many new and unexpected surprises in your writing this year!