Jul 10 2008
Give/Receive
At our first master’s class, Jim, our counselling instructor, asked us to describe the tatoo we would hypothetically choose. I imagined having a tattoo on each palm, one saying “give”, the other “receive”. Actually, when I imagine having my hands tattooed, I automatically fist up and pull my hands in close. Makes my cringe. But still, the idea of permanently carrying a message in my skin sticks with me.
I chose that tattoo to be the constant reminder of my indebtedness. I have been blessed by so many rich relationships and experiences in my life, and by support from a myriad of places. People have encouraged me, acknowledged my efforts, and given me critical feedback that has helped me take risks and refine my understanding.
And then there is the trail of breadcrumbs left by others…little morsels to nourish me, that fertilize the dendrites courtesy of (among others) the blogging community. I keep finding the most interesting stuff here–after someone else has found it first. I feel grateful for this culture of sharing, and now I am going to try my hand at giving back.
Here’s to the crumbs.
Image: we need more of it by wei never sleeps (Creative Commons Attribution license)
4 responses so far
Create a free edublog to get your own comment avatar (and more!)
Jan,
Welcome to the world of blogging!
I can see from this post that you will be someone that I enjoy reading… but I knew that already from your insightful comments:-)
It takes a while to grow a readership, but if you keep doing what your doing with thoughtful comments, and now blog posts, you will fall in love with this reflective learning process.
I’m working on a presentation right now that I am going to use the image in your post for, so you have already made a contribution!
Congratulations on your new blog!
[Reply]
Thank you, Dave,
I am really grateful for your support and encouragement. This blogging thing involves a bit of risk taking; I feel a little less vulnerable knowing others have walked the same road before me.
Good luck in Boston, I bet you’ll have a blast. They are lucky to have you.
[Reply]
Jan:
Congratulations on starting a blog. I found it via a shared link in David’s Google Reader. I’m about to celebrate the one year anniversary of my blog. It has been an interesting adventure. At the beginning I felt like I was talking to myself, but then as time past people started visiting. It’s fun to watch the ClustrMap grow. It’s amazing when someone who runs a website leaves a comment. Enjoy the journey!
Ann
[Reply]
Ann,
There is something about looking at my ClustrMap that fills me with that September excitement: it’s 7:30 on that first day of school, and nothing has really happened yet, but you know it will. I am not just talking about people visiting (which will be swell) –I am anticipating my own growth. Not that the map will show that…I will be looking at my archive as the evidence of that work.
Dave is right about the process of reflection being rewarding–it’s that great reveal: How do I know what I think until I see what I say?
I am still learning the etiquette of blogging–you have been popping into my aggregator for a while now, and have influenced my thinking–but I think it’s more appropriate to write about that on your blog…so that’s where I am going.
[Reply]