In wisdom gathered over time, I have found that every experience is a form of exploration.
—Ansel Adams
Explore
Ever since 2006 I have chosen a word to live by for the year. I was first inspired by Ali Edwards and her One Little Word challenge to replace yearly resolutions. Obviously it has stuck with me.
My 2023 word is EXPLORE, and it has served me well. It has leaked into all aspects of my life, and I have become a more curious person. I’ve really loved this.
I knew I wanted to create a collection of Big Fresh issues from 2023, but I wasn’t sure how to go about the selection process. So, I began by exploring each issue.
As I was reading the lead essays, I was reminded of responses from readers that I received. For example, even though I wrote about naming the color of the sky back in March, I just received a photo from someone last week with a comment about naming the color of the sky.
Or when I wrote about the importance of connection over correction, I remembered the heartfelt email I received several weeks after it was published. The person told me the timing was just right and that my words made a difference.
I included the issue from just a few weeks ago when I shared a conversation with my son Jordan when he told me I was a “really good mom.” I began receiving text messages that morning with comments about the lead essay. I opened my inbox and it was stuffed with replies. I was caught by surprise because I couldn’t really remember what I had written. I had to go back and read it.
Tears pooled in my eyes. I remembered feeling a little selfish about writing that one. I just wanted to hold on to the moment and let it soothe the tender places of my heart. The fact that it settled into the hearts of others and they took the time to tell me was a bit overwhelming.
Last Friday afternoon, my son Sam, who is a senior in high school, said, “I liked the way you described your to-do list.”
“What do you mean?” I asked, genuinely confused.
“In your essay for the Big Fresh? You said, ‘I resist the ticker tape of to-do tasks speeding through my mind.'” He recited my words from memory.
“How do you know that?”
“I read it. I have that same ticker tape in my mind. It was a good description.”
His blue eyes met mine. I was stunned. He reads my weekly essay?
“I hope it’s okay I said something about your writing. I figured you wouldn’t mind. You do send it to thousands of people each week.”
So I indulged in my exploration and collected the issues from the past year that reminded me of readers who shared with me a connection my words offered.
It created a delightful roundup from the year with a variety of topics that reflect the heart of Choice Literacy. Even though this is a bustling time of the year, I hope you’ll scroll the list and pick one that speaks to you. As always, you’ll find free content, courses, and member content.
Shine on,
Ruth Ayres
Editor in Chief
Informational Writing
Write what you know.—Mark Twain
Rural Education
It’s our roots that give us our identity.—Rosalia
Do Hard Things
In every job that must be done, there is an element of fun.—Mary Poppins
Nobody Wants to Write
Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit.—Vince Lombardi
Poetry
Poetry is the mother-tongue of the human race.—Johann Georg Hamann
The Beauty and Brilliance of Students
(Alternate title: You Must Read This to Save Your Soul)
Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because what the world needs is more people who have come alive.—Howard Thurman
Opinion Writing
When in doubt, overdress.—Vivienne Westwood
Extending Empathy
I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.—Brené Brown
Independence in Writers
Be infinitely flexible and constantly amazed.—Jason Kravitz
Encouraging Independence
There is more to life than increasing its speed.—Mahatma Gandhi
Nourishing Writers
Artists are people who have learned to live in doubt and do the work anyway.—Julia Cameron
Shared Experiences
A walk in nature walks the soul back home.—Mary Davis
Care and Compassion
We need Joy as we need air. We need Love as we need water. We need each other as we need the earth to share.—Maya Angelou
Quote It:
Maybe this year we ought to walk through the rooms of our lives not looking for flaws, but looking for potential.
—Ellen Goodman
That’s all for this week!
